January 2014 Akron Life Magazine

Local couples share wedding memories / Life Is Good No Matter What

volume 1 2 / issue 1 / januar y 2014

Schools 2014

Emma Ben

Our in-depth look at area education

Rachel Jacob

Cade

Vote Now!

2014 "Best of the City" voting starts this month p.21

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paGEs start here

On The Cover / 30 Star Students / Photograph by Shane Wynn

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Features The wedding of Emily and John McGroarty, photo by Shane Wynn

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Star Students These young scholars are among the area’s best and brightest.

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To Have and To Hold Three local couples share their favorite wedding memories.

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pages

10 the gamut

67 parting shot

16 agenda

Departments

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/ Mail Bonding

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/ Dear Melodie

Special Sections

/ 30 Education

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/ From the EIC

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/ Radar (Seen + Heard)

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/ All the Best

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/ The Gamut Surprised by Song

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Life Is Good No Matter What Seed Party, Tuesday Musical 125th Anniversary Gala, E.J. Thomas Hall’s 40 & Fabulous Gala, The Fourth Annual “Joyful Tastes of Life” Benefit

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33 Q&A with Local Schools 42 Kids & Moving Parts 44 School Specs Chart

/ FLASH

/ 48 Financial Planning / 50 Bridal

/ Good Eats

(notable food & drink)

58 Restaurant listings

/ Subject Matter

59 Untapped: Unibroue La Fin Du Monde

"Whatever Works for You"

60 Small Bite: The Spice of Life

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/ Around Town

61 Uncorked: Rodney Strong Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon and Rodney Strong Sonoma Chardonnay

Life is Good No Matter What

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/ Agenda 16 Entertainment listings/ calendar of featured events

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/ "Best of City" Ballot

63 Big Bite: The Italian Center

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/ Parting Shot Cold Weather Fun

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Tell us what's on your mind.

mail bonding

Comments? Got something to say about an article you read in akronlife? Or maybe you want to tell us about something great happening in the area. Send comments and suggestions to: akronlife, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313 and please include your name and address. Or, e-mail them to editor@bakermediagroup.com.

We reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity.

Publisher Colin Baker

Health Care Hero

cbaker@bakermediagroup.com

I read with interest your article on Dr. Christ Kyriakedes [Best Docs 2013, December 2013.] Several years ago, we found ourselves at Parents’ Weekend at Miami University in Oxford, he with his lovely daughter and me with my son. It was well after midnight, and we were enjoying drinks and cigars. It was the time of night when truths are told, and there are no pretensions. The article sounds exactly like the man I met that night. His comments on stabilizing patients are so consistent with our conversation. I am so glad we have doctors like him. When I saw the article and picture, I knew it was him instantly. I haven't seen him since, and I hope not to see him until someone I know and love needs him, but I am grateful people like him are out there. Thanks for the article and sharing the story of an obviously great man.

Pumping Up Your Joy / Interview with Mark Klaus

december 201 3

Best Docs 2013 Dr. Benjamin Graef Sleep Medicine, Summa

Holiday Gifts:

POP STARS Popcorn is making a comeback. p63

Untapped Breckenridge Brewery Christmas Ale p68

First Night Program Book

www.akronlife.com

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kmoorhouse@bakermediagroup.com

Managing Editor Abby Cymerman acymerman@bakermediagroup.com

Praise from our Cover Doc

Artistic Director / Production Manager William L. Teckmyer III

I want to thank you, your crew of photographers and the staff at Akron Life. I was shocked to see the cover [Dr. Graef was on the cover of Best Docs 2013, December 2013.] I am honored and humbled. The writeup by Samara Sands was a perfect snapshot. I truly appreciate it.

Local fi nds, plus the right book for that special someone p56

Creative Director Kathy Baker Moorhouse

Evan Morgan Hudson

215 Greater Akron physicians in 63 specialties

dbakerjr@bakermediagroup.com

Contributing Writers Ben DiCola Aaron Fowler David W. James Kathy Johnson Melodie Laird Rick Rodger Rodney Wilson

Send to editor@bakermediagroup.com volume 1 1 / issue 1 2

Editor-in-Chief Don Baker Jr.

Dr. Benjamin Graef Akron

wteckmyer@bakermediagroup.com

Photographer Shane Wynn swynn@bakermediagroup.com

Sales Colin Baker Justin Demming Bunny Lacey Carol Null sales@bakermediagroup.com

Get Your Face In Our Magazine HAVE AKRON, WILL TRAVEL - Send us pics of yourself with a copy of akronlife magazine from your travels around the globe and end up on this page!

Look for these special features in upcoming issues.

In February Decadent Desserts take center stage, and the area's Top Dentists will be featured along with a sneak peek at this year's Akron Home & Flower Show.

In March we will feature area Super Singles along with a focus on Education, Financial Planning, Summit DD and Summer Camps.

To advertise in one of these special issues contact Colin Baker at 330-253-0056 ext.104 • cbaker@bakermediagroup.com

Circulation Jessica Burkhart jburkhart@bakermediagroup.com

330-253-0056 ext. 112

Interns Caitlyn Callahan – Editorial Samara Sands – Editorial Christopher Metzger - Design January 2014, Volume 12, Issue 1 (ISSN No. 74470 57871) akronlife is published monthly by Baker Media Group, LLC, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313. Copyright 2013 © by Baker Media Group, LLC, All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited without written permission. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by an addressed envelope and sufficient postage. Baker Media Group, LLC and akronlife accept no responsibility for unsolicited material. Subscription rates: Continental U.S., One year —19.95, Two years —34.95. Call for Alaska, Hawaii or international rates. Single issues available by calling the circulation department. $3.95 each plus $3.50 shipping & handling.

Editorial, advertising and business offices: (330) 253-0056, fax (330) 253-5868.

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from the EIC

Bring it on Home New York, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando, Miami, New Orleans, Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Dallas, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego; Frankfurt, Germany; Zurich, Switzerland and Milan, Italy — What do all of these cities have in common?

I’ve attended a trade show, convention or conference in each of them at least once.

What is missing is Akron, Ohio. I’ve never been invited to or required to go to any major function in this city.

not necessarily need to be big enough to use the Knight Center, but could easily fit into one of the hotels or other venues in the area. Call Mary at (330) 374-7560.

Now here’s the cool part: Those of us who succeed in bringing a new event to the Akron/Summit County area will be given a bucket list reward. So far, that list includes throwing out the first pitch in an Akron Rubber Ducks game, getting backstage privileges at an event at the Akron Civic Theatre or a run down Derby Downs hill in a Soap Box Derby car. More bucket list rewards will be added as the year goes on.

I suppose a disclosure is in order. I am a member of the ASCVB’s Destination Development Committee and have been for several years.

This is the first time I’ve ever written about our plans but I’m really enthusiastic about this “Defy Convention” push and not just because it’s a pretty good pun (but that helps.)

Now the Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau (the people who run the J.S. Knight Center for one thing) are trying to change all that. They’ve come up with a pun intended initiative titled “DEFY Convention,” which challenges those of us who love Akron to bring one of our functions to the city and/or county. The idea behind this program is to get those of us who love our town to see Akron and Summit County as a place to hold the functions for organizations and clubs to which we belong back home.

For instance, if you’re a member of the American Marble Shooters Association (I don’t know if there is such a thing), what better place to hold your annual “Shoot Out” than at Lock 3 and the adjacent Marble Museum? Or if your car club wants to hold a “Model T Roundup,” the Summit County Fairgrounds is more than large enough to accommodate it.

Here’s how the ASCVB defines this initiative: “The Defy Convention initiative will inspire well-connected members to open the eyes of decision makers and make a difference in their home town. They will be asked to focus their passion and influence to help us reach our goal of bringing at least 15 new events to our area in 2014.”

So here’s what you do: If you’re the decision maker about where your event will be held, or if you want to have someone else contact the decision maker, contact Mary Tricaso at the ASCVB. She is the lead person in this initiative and will either send you an information packet or contact the decision maker directly to walk them through the process of holding an event in Summit County. The event does

We, the hardworking staff of akronlife magazine (pictured above), want to wish every one of you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. L'Chaim.

Don Baker, Jr., Editor-in-Chief dbakerjr@bakermediagroup.com

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january 2014 / vol. 12 / issue 1

Girl Scout cookie sales begin Jan. 6.

Call 1-888-9-THIN-MINT to find a local troop.

radar $500,000 seen+heard

Akron Community Foundation’s Millennium Fund for Children is celebrating $500,000 in grants to children’s programs throughout Summit, Portage and Medina counties.

Kaliska

city watch

by Rodney Wilson

After voting it down in the last election, Kent residents passed a .25 percent income tax increase to fund construction

of a new police station. Tentative plans

for the building call for a fiberglass, nut-shaped structure to be dubbed “Acorn Precinct.”

Cuyahoga Falls' longtime business resident, Schwebel Baking Company, announced the plant's impending closure. When reached for comment,

company representatives cited the “harsh realities of operating in a postcarb economy.”

Shilah

A man suspected of robbing an Akron gas station was shortly arrested after hailing a taxi to flee the crime scene. The

Coyotes Named

After a naming contest that generated over 1,000 votes, the coyotes at the Akron Zoo have been named. The male is named Shilah (shy-luh) and the female coyote will now go by Kaliska (kuh-lis-kuh).

The coyotes, which have been on exhibit since last month, are part of the zoo’s Mike & Mary Stark Grizzly Ridge exhibit.

Kent State University’s Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising (the Fashion School) took home a total of seven design awards at the 2013 conference of the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA). Three faculty members and three students picked up awards at the conference, which took place in New Orleans from Oct. 15 to Oct. 18. Kim Hahn and Jihyun Kim, both associate professors of fashion merchandising at Kent State, collaborated on two separate award-winning garments. Pictured, “Amber Refraction,” drew inspiration from the traditional Korean style of Hanbok, while also incorporating an image manipulated in Adobe Photoshop. “The overall design in this ensemble is a visual bridge that intertwines traditional craft culture and contemporary design technology,” Hahn and Kim wrote. Hahn resides in Kent, Ohio, and Kim, a native of Seoul, South Korea, now lives in Tallmadge, Ohio.

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taxi driver is suing Akron police for the ride's uncollected fare.

Hale Farm and Village recently hosted “Thanksgiving Dinner with President Abraham Lincoln,” a celebration of the president's proclamation of the national holiday. Some attendees were

surprised by the event's inclusion of Lincoln's actual remains at the dinner table, but all applauded the venue's historical accuracy.

Kent State University's Police Services added its first-ever K9 officer to the school's security force. The 2-year-old

German Shepherd, originally trained as a drug-sniffing dog, developed a work-stress disorder during his first shift.

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all the best

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New Year, New View

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This month's cover story features Star Students from local schools. They excel in academics, play sports, are involved in their communities, and—as I learned when I met them at the photo shoot — they’re incredibly great kids. I also met most of their parents that night. I watched as each student was photographed and recognized that look of pride and admiration on their parents’ faces.

Arts & Entertainment Food & Dining Home & Garden Beauty & Wellness

There's something about watching your children that's completely fascinating. When my children were in preschool, there was a storage closet next to their classroom that had a one-way mirror. Every time I decided to sneak a peek at my kids, the closet was always crowded with other parents, and I often joked that we should bring in lawn chairs and snacks. Seeing how your children interact with their teachers and with other kids is more fun than watching TV.

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When parents take an interest in their kids’ lives, the kids are bound to be successful.

Now I don’t mean getting in your kid’s face and not letting him have any autonomy.

(That’s called helicopter parenting, and that’s a discussion for another time.) Being involved doesn’t have to be anything more complicated than just being there for your kids.

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I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes I’m preoccupied, and if I realize I haven’t been such a good listener, I’ll try again. Sometimes I turn off the radio in the car on the way to school and ask them what they think about things going on in the world. (My kids always say I’m “interviewing” them.) Or when I tuck them in at night, sometimes we’ll lie in their bed and talk about all kinds of things, even if the topics are silly or sad.

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Thank you for picking up this issue of akronlife magazine. Our staff has worked very hard to bring it to you, and we hope you have a Happy, Healthy and Exciting 2014!

All the best, Abby Cymerman, Managing Editor acymerman@bakermediagroup.com

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My point is, your kids will do well in school (and in life, for that matter) if they know you’ve got their back and that you’re their best cheerleader. Because, if you’re not, who will be?

We also sat down with Eileen Benson, an Akron-area wedding consultant, to chat about the wedding trends of the past and the traditions of tomorrow. Benson has been a wedding planner for almost 26 years, averaging 13 to 20 weddings a year. That’s a lot of cake tastings and a TON of patience. Benson kept everything moving smoothly and beautifully at my wedding years ago, and she continues to be a valuable consultant for today’s couples.

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T LOSS NG PE R SURVIVI RE FO TS IAL CA SPEC SENIOR PE S E WAY PL 5 SIM ORT YOUR R PP TE TO SU PET SHEL IDE CE GU UR SO PET RE

If your children aren’t succeeding, maybe you should take a hard look at yourself first. Do you ask them how their day went – every single day? And, if you do, do you stop to listen to their answer?

And, speaking of cheers, Wedding Wire says 33 percent of engagements occur between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. If you’re one of these statistics, congratulations! And if you thought the proposal was tough, wait until you start planning the wedding. Your first step should be checking out our Bridal Guide, starting on page 48. Here, you'll get advice from three local brides who recently celebrated their nuptials, and you’ll see gorgeous wedding photos by our own Shane Wynn and Nathan Migal from Imagen Photography.

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the gamut

by Rodney Wilson

Surprised by Song

/ An unexpected melody sets one writer’s work to a new rhythm. / The dull-edged maul was heavy in my hands, my swing clumsy and ill-aimed, but an increasing number of logs — sections of a standing dead ash my wife, dad and I took down a few weeks prior — were relenting to my unpracticed attacks with a satisfying crack, halved pieces of hardwood jettisoning from the dense plug in opposite directions.

It was my first attempt at splitting logs, and though you’d hardly call me an expert lumberjack, I was finding my groove as a distinct rhythm of work began driving the chore: Set, swing, crack. Set, swing, crack.

And then, as if in response to my percussive pattern of firewood preparation, a song emerged from the trees to my left. Not an imagined song, like the destructive drumbeat emanating from my chopping block, but an actual, verse-verse-chorus song. I could hear a woman’s voice singing atop lightly bluesinflected folk instrumentation, the kind of song mildly successful local bands bring to live performances at the neighborhood NPR station.

“You,” I stammered, flummoxed by the notion of a life lived without melodic accompaniment.

“You don’t like music?”

The classmate shrugged and nodded. “It doesn’t do anything for me.”

I like music. It seems silly to waste words on a statement like this because everybody likes music, right? When I was a teenager, like so many pubescent souls muddling through the difficult years between childhood and independence, I really liked music. The 16-yearold me wouldn’t have missed an opportunity to tell you that music saved his life, even though my life in no way needed saving, and I’m positive I’d have been fine without all those hair metal ballads I feverishly crammed onto 90-minute cassettes.

My heart broke for this young man. (Though I can assure you he became embroiled in a torrid love affair with classic rock during our senior year.) I’ve never NOT been surrounded by music. My mother was a church organist, playing hymns twice on Sunday, every Wednesday and for occasional weddings and funerals. One of my aunts plays the musical saw, while another once hand-built a hammered dulcimer. My sister’s an accomplished pianist, the vast majority of my cousins play at least one musical equipment, and I, myself, survived a painful stint as fourth-chair (out of five) trumpeter in my elementary school band to gain a modest level of comfort with a few stringed instruments.

But this iteration of myself also encountered something I’d never before, nor have I since, run across when, upon turning to a classmate and asking him what genre of music he preferred, I received a baffling response: “I don’t like music.”

So I like music — more than some, less than others, and nowhere near as much as my 16-year-old self liked cheesy hair bands. It’s rare that I don’t have a song running though my head, even if it’s that Taylor Swift jam I just heard at Walmart (The same Taylor Swift

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song, mind you, I blasted from my truck speakers as I drove to Walmart. I like Taylor Swift.)

In his book, “Musicophilia,” neurologist Oliver Sacks explored the effects music has on the human mind, suggesting that our species’ response to melody is both a biological action, fully explainable by medical science, and a complete and total mystery residing in the emotional realm. In another

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text, “How Music Works” by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, the musician suggests that melody, along with speech, was part of an evolutionary mistake, both unintended carpetbaggers that stole a ride into our genetic makeup on the back of a crucial survival skill like outrunning hungry predators or climbing a mango tree.

Maybe you spend sleepless nights wrestling with why you can’t listen to Springsteen’s “Nebraska” without suffering a full emotional seizure, or perhaps you’re just content to tap your foot when you hear “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” while shopping for tube socks. Or it could be an AC/DC song that found you one day during senior year and woke your inner music fan.

Neurological affliction, evolutionary tangent or something altogether more ethereal and mysterious, music has found our species and intertwined itself with our daily existence, lurking in the background of the majority of our life experiences, encountered all too often behind throaty voiceovers detailing the benefits of one cell phone provider over another.

So to be surprised by a song while chopping wood on a clear and quiet autumn day … that’s, I think, something special. I wasn’t in a position to passively hear music, like the swell of a movie soundtrack, nor had I pressed buttons to invite melody into this moment.

Instead, the notes, strung together by someone completely unaware of my listening ears, drifted across the landscape on windswept sound waves to where I stood, maul in hand, logs scattered at my feet.

And I, in response, adjusted the rhythm of my set, swing, crack cadence to match the song’s beat. There are too few genuine surprises in this life, and I’m learning to join in when an unexpected experience, like a melody floating through the trees, interrupts the day to find me. / Rodney Wilson is a freelance writer who can still be found slumped over a laptop, writing a young adult novel and listening to Taylor Swift.

Comments?

Email them to managing editor Abby Cymerman at acymerman@bakermediagroup.com.

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subject matter

by Samara Sands

“Whatever Works for You” / A guidebook by Deborah McVay-McKinney /

In her book, “Whatever Works for You,” Deborah McVay-McKinney guides her female readers on how to survive a busy life while maintaining a peaceful lifestyle.

McVay-McKinney explains how to juggle the demands of a career, home and family and delivers it with a casual, talkingwith-a-friend-over-coffee tone. She emphasizes the detailed importance of staying organized and encourages readers to keep to-do lists, prioritize events and tackle the hectic holiday seasons and special events.

In an effort to make her book different than other self-help books, McVayMcKinney says she wanted to make it enjoyable to read by expressing stories of everyday life.

“Many self-help books begin by explaining why people are disorganized or what may have happened in their past to make them feel overwhelmed,” she says. “My goal was to provide a quick reference with useful tools and easy steps to get things accomplished.”

McVay-McKinney wants her readers to know that women often feel an overwhelming sense of pressure from everyday life, and there’s one common bond that can get them through it: having a strong sense of faith.

“Each morning, I look for a way to do something kind for another,” she says.

“When I do, my days are always more rewarding than I could have made them on my own. I’m a firm believer that with God, all things are possible.”

As for herself, McVay-McKinney enjoys a busy schedule and keeps busy through work, volunteer time and her church. For every season of the year, she creates “to-do lists.”

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“The holiday season arrives the same time every year, so why should we be stressed about getting everything done?” she asks.

“By my late 20s, I began to realize that never had a year gone by when I wasn’t ready. And even if I hadn’t been, what was the point if I couldn’t enjoy the season?”

Although maintaining an organized lifestyle is important, McVay-McKinney emphasizes the importance of taking a step back from life’s demands and remembering to give time to those closest to you, as well as yourself.

“Take time to prioritize and schedule time for yourself,” she says.

“Read a great book, meet a good friend for coffee, or take a long walk. Give yourself that gift, and the rest will fall into place.” >> In addition to reading her book, McVay-McKinney advises women to discover their own way to manage their life.

There isn’t one method that works for everyone.

“We’re all individuals and should determine the best practices for our own personalities,” she says. “Whether simple or elaborate, there’s a unique way for each of us to find order, while enjoying life.

‘Whatever Works for You’ is the underlying message.”

In last summer’s Akron Life Best of the City 2013 Issue, McVay-McKinney was named Best Author and Best Entrepreneur.

Because these titles were reader-voted, she

says this recognition means a lot to her.

“It’s an honor to know so many readers took the time to vote for me in these categories,” she says. “Many of them used this as an expression of their appreciation. I’m extremely grateful to them all.”

“Whatever Works for You” was released in fall 2012 and has since gained national recognition. It’s a best-seller on inspiringvoices.com and is available on Amazon. com and Barnesandnoble.com.

Besides being an author and a life management speaker, McVay-McKinney is the owner of Time to Spare LLC, a corporate and non-profit event planning and custom gift service that works with businesses and organizations throughout Northeast Ohio. She’s also a publicity chairperson for the Bath Business Association and an Ambassador for The Greater Akron

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Chamber. McVay-McKinney also works with several volunteer groups and serves on the Youth Board of Bath United Church of Christ.

McVay-McKinney is working on her next book, which focuses on successful fundraising.

Its format will be similar her current book and will include “how-to” tips and brief stories.

“We were blessed by the addition of a grandson last spring, along with many nieces and nephews,” she says. “My daughters are a constant source of joy, I’m happy to have a wonderful husband of many years and friends too many to number. And two cats who remind me daily of who’s really in charge of my schedule!” / Writer Samara Sands is a senior at KSU working on her bachelor’s in newspaper journalism.

Comments?

Email them to managing editor Abby Cymerman at acymerman@bakermediagroup.com.

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>> Even though McVay-McKinney has a busy lifestyle, she looks forward to spending time and sharing special moments with her family and friends.

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Photo Contest Send us your best photos of our local natural wonders that are off the beaten path and seldom seen ... submit your best shots online at www.akronlife.com/photoupload

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around town

by Kathy Johnson

Inspiration and Purpose / Despite his loss, Akron man starts cancer charity. /

Troy Haslinger started his charity back in 2012 with the hope of offering inspiration to adults with advanced cancer, but lately he’s the one who’s been inspired.

“I am awed by the resilience of the people I’ve met,” Haslinger says.

“Considering the cards they have been dealt, their ability to appreciate what many of us take for granted constantly reminds me why I started this charity in the first place.”

The charity he’s referring to is Life Is Good No Matter What. During a year when his own life was upended by the death of his 39-year-old sister Holly Haslinger Sneider, as well as his own divorce and job loss, Haslinger decided to establish a cancer charity that grants wishes — or cherished experiences, as he likes to call them — to adults facing life-limiting advanced cancers. “‘Life is Good No Matter What’ was Holly’s mantra during her 18-month battle with colon cancer,” he says. “She had an uncanny ability to look at life each day and try to focus on the good and not the bad.

Watching Holly go through the ups and downs of life with cancer was physically and emotionally exhausting for all of us, but most of all for her because she wanted to try and keep her life as normal as possible for the sake of her family.”

“I watched as she continued to put everyone else first, even when she was dying. She’s what inspired me to start a charity that gave adults a ‘break’ from the label of cancer and just let them experience some normalcy for a change.”

Since its inception, Life Is Good No Matter What has granted six cherished experiences. Ellet resident Christine Tucker, 52, knows firsthand what it’s like to be selected by this organization. In October 2012, she was chosen to receive a cherished experience that included a trip to Sarasota, Fla., with her two daughters. Diagnosed with 14

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breast cancer in 2002, her cancer recurred in 2010, and life went on for the legal secretary at Roetzel & Andress and mother to 15-year-old Sarah and 24-year-old Krystin. “My daughters have crazy schedules,” she says. “And we don’t always have time to do things together.”

For her cherished experience, Tucker chose a Above: Holly Haslinger weekend getaway to Sneider with her husband the ocean. “There is Steve and kids, Drew, Ashley and Lindsay nothing more relaxing than lying on the Right: Sarah, Christine and Krystin Tucker in Sarasota beach and hearing the during their cherished exocean waves,” she says. perience “It lets me forget all the stress in my life. The trip regenerated me and allowed me to spend some precious time with my daughters.”

Tucker and her girls were treated to manicures and pedicures, meals, a stay at the Ritz-Carlton and a photo shoot to capture all the memories. “It was so nice to be pampered because I’m usually the one taking care of everyone else,” she says.

Haslinger says his sister would be proud to see what his organization has been able to accomplish in such a short period of time.

“It’s all about bringing joy and happiness into the lives of families whose existence has been altered by this insidious disease,” he says.

Although the work with the charity can be emotionally draining, Haslinger wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“We lost our second recipient just six weeks after granting her cherished experience,” he says. “It’s hard getting attached to these wonderful people and their families knowing their life expectancy is shorter than most, but our goal is to help them end their life’s journey with happy memories.”

These memories, he says, will continue to live

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on in the hearts and minds of the loved ones who shared these experiences with them.

Life Is Good No Matter What is a 100-percent privately funded not-for-profit charity.

The group receives no state, federal or grant money at this time. Haslinger says the charity’s directors are always trying to think outside the box about ways to raise money for their mission “We may have been born in Akron, but we have big dreams for the future,” he says.

To learn more about Life Is Good No Matter What, including how to donate funds, apply for a cherished experience or volunteer your time or services, visit www.lifeisgoodnomatterwhat.org or call 1-855-544-6691. / Kathy Johnson is a freelance writer and public relations consultant based in Akron. She is the principal at New View Communications and has over 21 years of experience in health care and nonprofit public relations.

Bridalby Eileen Consulting Benson

Comments?

Email them to managing editor Abby Cymerman at acymerman@bakermediagroup.com.

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When the Akron Art Museum (then-called the Akron Art Institute) first opened on Feb. 1, 1922, it was located in two borrowed rooms in the basement of the public library.

january 2014 / vol. 12 / issue 1

aGENDa the essential social digest

1/31 Air Supply Russell Hitchcock’s soaring tenor and Graham Russell’s simple, yet majestic, songs created a unique sound that would forever be known as Air Supply. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. www.akroncivic.com

Through 1/5 Studio M Exhibition Opening: Art

by Veterans of S tark and Summit Counties, p 17

Through 2/16 Artifacts of Faith Illuminated manuscripts and religious icons reveal the art of illustration. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E., Massillon.

Tues.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 2-5 p.m.

Closed on Mondays. Free. www.massillonmuseum.org 16

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NOTE: Dates, events, locations, times and prices are subject to change. Please call ahead!

Through 2015-2016 Journey to the Reef Take your own journey and get nose-to-nose with animals that live on or near the reef including lion fish, sea horses, octopus, eels, jellyfish, clown fish and more. Touch a sting ray at the new touch tank or play in the new interactive area of the reef exhibit. Akron Zoo, 500 Edgewood Ave., Akron. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $7-$10; free for members. www.akronzoo.org

Through 1/5 Studio M Exhibition Opening: Art by Veterans of Stark and Summit Counties Presented

by MassMu in partnership with Akron and Massillon chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Ohio Military Museum in Massillon.

Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E., Massillon.

Tues.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 2-5 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Free. www.massillonmuseum.org

Through 1/4 Holiday Invitational Local and international artists including Matthew Kolodziej, Pat Zinsmeister Parker, Alexander Befelein, Miquel Olivares, Andrea Joki, Charlotte Lees, John Ranally, Kurt Mair and more. Harris Stanton Gallery, 2301 W. Market St., Akron. Tues.Fri., 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; or by appointment. Free. www.

HarrisStantonGallery.com

Through 1/5. Envisioning an Outdoor Sculpture Space: A Project with Kent State University In collaboration with Kent State University School of Architecture faculty, Akron Art Museum staff charged third-year architecture students with their first assignment based on a real-world project: create a design for the museum’s proposed outdoor sculpture gallery. This complex challenge involved conceiving of an outdoor space to showcase contemporary sculpture, installation and multimedia work that can also accommodate concerts, parties and possibly even a café. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Weds.-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Closed Mon., Tues. and major holidays. $7/adults, $6/ students and seniors, free for members and kids 17 and under. Admission is free every Thursday. www.akronartmuseum.org

Through 1/5 Stark County Artists Exhibition Eighty works of art by 61 artists selected by independent jurors. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E., Massillon.

Tues.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 2-5 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Free. www. massillonmuseum.org

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Through 1/12 The Modern Table: Ohio Furniture Designers Featuring work from 26 artists, including Kent’s Kevin Shahan. Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, 77 S. High St., Columbus.

Free. www.oac.state.oh.us/riffe Through 1/26 With a Trace: Photographs of Absence Photographers spanning several generations have captured not only a scene, but a moment in time. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Weds.-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs., 11 a.m.9 p.m. Closed Mon., Tues. and major holidays. $7/ adults, $6/students and seniors, free for members and kids 17 and under. Admission is free every Thursday. www.akronartmuseum.org

Through 2/14 Drums, Tomahawks, and the Horse: Native American Cultural Tools Cultural artifacts are tools for everyday living, for ceremony, for warfare and for artistic expression. The University of Akron, Center of the History of Psychology. 73 College St., Akron. Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sat, noon-4p.m. Free. www.uakron.edu/chp Through 2/16 Artifacts of Faith Illuminated manuscripts and religious icons reveal the art of illustration. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E., Massillon. Tues.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 2-5 p.m.

Closed on Mondays. Free. www.massillonmuseum. org

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Through 2/23 Reindeer Run Enjoy 150 feet of downhill fun with a slide designed for children 14 and under; adults may accompany little ones. There is a limit of 25 wristbands sold per half hour for the sledding hill. Lock 3, 200 S. Main St. Thurs.-Fri., 6-9 p.m.; Sat., 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.; Sun., 1-4 p.m. Sled rental is $3 for 30 minutes. www.lock3live.com Through 2/23 Ice skating Lock 3’s 10,000-squarefoot outdoor ice staking rink is the largest seasonal skating venue in Ohio! Lock 3, 200 S. Main St. Free.

Skate rental is $3, and strap-on skates are free for toddlers based on availability. Skate rental is free on Thurs. and Fri. from 1 to 5 p.m. with a Do Downtown card. www.lock3live.com

Through 3/2 Illuminated Windows Ten area artists were selected to create temporary public art for business windows in the Canton Arts District to decorate downtown and assist in the promotion of “Illuminating the Word: The Saint John’s Bible” and “Sacred Voices” exhibits at the Canton Museum of Art. Canton Museum of Art, 1001 Market Ave. N, Canton. Tues. and Weds., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs. and Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Mon. $10/adult, $8/students and seniors, free for members and kids 12 and under.

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Through 3/16 Diana Al-Hadid: Nolli’s Orders Thirteen-feet high and constructed of steel, polymer gypsum, fiberglass, wood, foam and paint, this exhibit was inspired by the 18th century Italian architect and surveyor Giambattista Nolli, whose iconic 1748 map of Rome articulated the interplay between buildings and outdoor space, figure and ground. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Weds.-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Closed Mon., Tues. and major holidays. $7/adults, $6/students and seniors, free for members and kids 17 and under. Admission is free every Thursday. www.akronartmuseum.org

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Through 3/16 Multiplicity This exhibit allows visitors to compare and contrast how artists such as Chuck Close, Jim Dine, Helen Frankenthaler, Sol LeWitt and Kiki Smith explore different media. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Weds.-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Closed Mon., Tues. and major holidays. $7/adults, $6/students and seniors, free for members and kids 17 and under. Admission is free every Thursday. www.akronartmuseum.org

1/2 Printmaking Demo and Talk With Nicole Haney of Black Balloon Editions.

Discover how the prints in “Multiplicity” were created as you experience the exhibition with Haney who will discuss her favorite works in the exhibition, talk about her own printing processes and demonstrate printmaking techniques.

Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron.

6:30 p.m. Admission is free every Thursday. akronartmuseum.org

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1/2 University of Akron men’s basketball vs.

Marshall Let’s cheer on our Zips! James A. Rhodes Arena, University of Akron. 7 p.m. $10-$30. www. gozips.com 1/3 Show and Tell Me a Story Kids 1 to 3 will join a naturalist for this special 30-minute story time for tots! F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., or 1 p.m. To register, call 330-865-8065.

1/3 Homeschool Hike: Evergreens Homeschoolers 7 and older can join a naturalist to discover the variety of native trees that thrive here. No students without an adult. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/ Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 1 p.m. 330865-8065

1/3 Owl Prowl Discover what kinds of owls live in our area, and what makes them such great hunters, while exploring sections of the Redwing and Willow trails.

Firestone Metro Park/Tuscarawas Meadows Area, 2620 Harrington Road, Akron. 7 p.m.

330-865-8065 1/4 Coffee with the Birds Join a naturalist for the second program in this winter series to see who’s visiting our wildlife window. Coffee provided. Bring your favorite mug and any nature questions you may have. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 10:30 a.m.-noon.

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Red & White On Thursday Night Akron’s premier wine and food event A benefit for the Arthritis Foundation, Great Lakes Region, Northeastern Ohio

After

Coatings Group Before

Construction Group Design / Build/ Manage Powder Coatings Group Specialty Group Aerospace & Aircraft Restoration Historic Building Restoration Special Fabrications

Akron One Canal Square Plaza Akron, OH 44308 Phone: 330-670-9900 Fax: 330-670-9993

Copley Plant 1122 Jacoby Road Copley, OH 44321 Phone: 330-670-9900 Fax: 330-670-9993

1/4 Wellness Series: Good Running Join Ed Hoffmeier from Fleet Feet Sports to learn the “good form running” technique and how it can improve your runs. Bring your other running questions as well.

F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 2 p.m.

330-865-8065 1/5 Puppet Show: Rex’s New Year’s Resolution Join us for another hilarious puppet adventure as T-Rex tries to mend his ways. Includes a craft. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 1:30 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/5 Seneca Trail throughout the Year We’ll hike Seneca Trail each month this year, taking a photographic record of the seasonal changes that happen. In December 2014, we’ll come in from the cold and review the year in pictures. You can take your own pictures or just enjoy the hikes. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Seneca Deck, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 3 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/8 Weekday Walkers Take a leisurely stroll with stops along the way to discover nature and some of the rich history of the quarry. Deep Lock Quarry Metro Park, 5779 Riverview Road, Peninsula. 10 a.m.

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For more information, contact the Arthritis Foundation at 216.285.2829 or email cwinnen@arthritis.org.

Presented by:

Pittsburgh 121 Wabash Street Pittsburgh, PA 15220 Phone: 412-444-0353 Fax 412-444-0356

www.thomarios.com 1/4 Kids Discover: Animal Footprints Children 5 to 10 learn about animal tracks with a naturalist and take a hike to search for them. Silver Creek Metro Park/ Pheasant Run Area, 5000 Hametown Road, Norton. 1 p.m. 330-865-8065

January 23, 2014 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Quaker Station at The University of Akron

1/9-1/25 “Uncle Vanya” Working from a literal translation, the iconoclastic American playwright David Mamet infuses the power of Anton Chekhov’s play with the potent precision of his own modern voice. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron. $18. For tickets and showtimes, call 330-836-2626.

1/10 and 1/11 Kinderealm: Tracks Children 3 to 6 and their adult companions learn about animals and the tracks they leave behind. Includes a craft and short hike. Advance registration begins 1/3. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Fri., 1 p.m., and Sat., 10:30 a.m. 330865-8065

1/10 First Friday Club of Greater Akron The Hon. Linda Tucci Teodosio, judge for the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, will discuss “Keeping Faith Throughout the Trials of Life.” Quaker Station, 135 S. Broadway, Akron. 11:15 a.m. $15. www. firstfridayclubofgreaterakron.org 1/10 Soup Hike Join a naturalist to enjoy a cup of soup around a campfire, followed by a short evening hike. Soup provided; bring a cup, spoon and flashlight. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Campfire Area, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 6 p.m. 330-865-8065

http://redandwhite-2014.eventbrite.com

1/11 Cardboard Classic Enjoy some fun in the snow by recycling old items into new sleds. All sleds will be assembled on site. We will provide some cardboard, duct tape and marshmallows for roasting. If there’s no snow, the event will be canceled. Registration begins 1/3. Firestone Metro Park/Tuscarawas Meadows Area, 2620 Harrington Road, Akron. 10:30 a.m. 330-8658065 1/11 Cardio Hike Join us for healthy outdoor exercise by hiking at a vigorous pace with few, if any, rest stops. Beginners welcome, but talk to your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine. Drinking water recommended. Munroe Falls Metro Park/Lake Area, 521 S. River Road, Munroe Falls. 1 p.m. 330865-8065 1/11 Winter Family Picnic Start a new family tradition in the New Year! Hike with a naturalist, then return to a warm fire for a winter picnic. Families need to provide their own picnic foods. A fire and s’mores (while supplies last) are provided. Goodyear Heights Metro Park/Pioneer Shelter, 550 Frazier Ave., Akron. 3 p.m. 330-865-8065

1/11 Impractical Jokers Come see the cast of “Impractical Jokers” live on stage in this interactive comedy show with improv, never-before-seen videos inspired by the hit television show and more. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. $35 and $85 for a VIP meet-and-greet. www.akroncivic.com

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1/11 Akron Symphony Orchestra performs The Four Seasons Vivaldi’s Four Seasons are musical pictures depicting nature, weather phenomena and human activity of all sorts. The program also includes works by Mozart. E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron. 8 p.m. $25-$55. 330-535-8131 1/12 Nature Drawing for Kids Kids ages 6 to 12: Join us for this lesson in nature drawing. Paper and pencils provided. Registration begins 1/7. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 11:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/12 Searching for Eagles Join a naturalist to search for bald eagles while discovering the comeback story of our national bird. Gorge Metro Park/Main Entrance, 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. 1 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/12 Tracks and Signs at the Ledges Have you ever wondered who else walks the trail when people aren’t around? Find out with a naturalist on this moderate hike. Liberty Park/Twinsburg Ledges Area, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 3 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/13. Kinderealm: Tracks Children 3 to 6 and their adult companions learn about animals and the tracks they leave behind. Includes a craft and short hike.

Advance registration begins 1/3. Goodyear Heights Metro Park/Pavilion, 2077 Newton St., Akron. 10:30 a.m. 330-865-8065

1/13 Almost-Full Moon Ski Bring your cross-country skis to see nature in winter around Pheasant Run Trail.

If there isn’t enough snow, we’ll take a nature walk instead. Silver Creek Metro Park/Pheasant Run Area, 5000 Hametown Road, Norton. 7 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/15 Weekday Walkers Join us for a leisurely stroll on the Ledges Trail with stops along the way to discover nature and history. Liberty Park/Twinsburg Ledges Area, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 10 a.m.

330-865-8065 1/15 Wildlife Painting for Adults with Tom Baldwin Create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece during this instructional and entertaining program. Spend the day learning how to paint a realistic killdeer handcrafted

by Tom Baldwin. Registration begins 1/8. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 11 a.m. $12.50, payable by cash or check the day of the program. 330-865-8065 1/15. Kinderealm: Tracks Children 3 to 6 and their adult companions learn about animals and the tracks they leave behind. Includes a craft and short hike.

Advance registration begins 1/3. Firestone Metro Park/Coventry Oaks Area, 40 Axline Ave., Akron. 1 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/16-2/2 Actors Summit: “Photograph 51” Photograph 51 was the first picture to show the double helix structure of DNA. Biology, ethics, women’s equality, anti-Semitism all play a role in this fascinating true story about Rosalind Franklin, Ph.D., who may have missed receiving the Nobel Prize because her standards were too high. Greystone Hall, 103 High St., Akron. For showtimes and ticket prices, call 330-374-7568.

1/16 Printmaking Demo and Talk With Charlie Wagers of Three Bears Design. Discover how the prints in “Multiplicity” were created as you experience the exhibition with Wagers who will discuss his favorite works in the exhibition, talk about his own printing processes and demonstrate printmaking techniques. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. 6:30 p.m. Admission is free every Thursday. akronartmuseum.org 1/16 Beginning Birders: Brush up on Thrushes This program is perfect for new and experienced birders.

F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 7 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/17 Weekday Walkers Take a leisurely stroll with stops along the way to discover nature. Cascade Valley Metro Park/Oxbow Area, 1061 Cuyahoga St., Akron. 10 a.m. 330-865-8065 1/17. Homeschoolers: Astronomy Homeschoolers 11 to 14 can join a naturalist in an inflatable planetarium to learn about constellations. No students without an adult. Registration begins 12/27.

F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 1 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/17 Colin John with The Juke Hounds An accomplished musician, Colin John commands the stage with both his guitar prowess and passionate singing. Formed in late 2006, The Juke Hounds ventured on a special mission to put the “Juke” spin on the standard “Blues Sound”. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $20 and two/$30. www.akroncivic.com

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1/18 Hike and Breakfast: Snowflake Hike Join us for a brisk winter hike and “comfort breakfast” of oatmeal and more. Participants will be asked to contribute to the feast. Registration begins 1/14.

Goodyear Heights Metro Park/Pavilion, 2077 Newton St., Akron. 8 a.m. 330-865-8065

1/18 Summit County Master Gardeners’ Design and Beyond A book signing and presenters David L. Culp, Debra Knapke, Jim McCormac and Danae Wolfe. St. Sebastian’s Zwisler Hall, 348 Elmdale Ave., Akron. 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Register by 1/6. $40 includes program materials, continental breakfast and lunch. www. summitmastergardeners.org 1/18 Countryside Farmers’ Market Buy seasonal products from local farmers. Old Trail School, 2315 Ira Road, Akron. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. www. cvcountryside.org 1/18 Astronomy: Constellations Join a naturalist to learn about constellations in an inflatable planetarium.

Participants must be 9 or older. Program will last about 45 to 60 minutes. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/ Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 10:30 a.m.,1 p.m. or 3 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/18 Jonah Koslen Jonah and his band will perform all 13 unforgettable tracks from the classic Michael Stanley Band album, “Stage Pass” – the songs that helped make Northeast Ohio the rock ‘n’ roll capital.

Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $20-$30 www.akroncivic.com 1/18 The Mighty Soul Tornadoes Vinyl Night Featuring vinyl selections from DJs Ben Crazy, El Prezidente and Forrest Getem Gump spinning soul, jazz , funk, disco, samba, boogie, afrobeat, and Latin LPs and 45s along with Matt on congas. Uncorked Wine Bar and Galleries, 22 N. High St., Akron. 8:30 p.m. Free. For details, email funkecrates@gmail.com.

1/19 Winter Family Book Walk Hike along the Cherry Lane Trail at your own pace with stops to read the story “Stranger In The Woods,” then enjoy a fire, hot chocolate and marshmallows (while supplies last).

F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Campfire Area, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 1 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/19 Beat Winter Blues and Energize Your Day Beat the winter blahs by joining Metro Parks staff and Tai Chi instructor Nancy Gardner for this wellness program to discover tips, techniques, movements and foods that will help motivate and energize you during the cold weather. Firestone Metro Park/Coventry Oaks Area, 40 Axline Ave., Akron. 1p.m. 330-8658065 1/19 Winter Tree I.D. Learn how to identify trees without their leaves while hiking Chippewa Trail.

Silver Creek Metro Park/Pheasant Run Area, 5000 Hametown Road, Norton. 3 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/20 Astronomy: Constellations Join a naturalist to learn about constellations in an inflatable planetarium. Participants must be 9 or older. Program will last about 45 to 60 minutes. Registration begins 1/10. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. or 3 p.m.

330-865-8065 1/20 Canton Charge v. Maine Red Claws Cheer on the exclusively owned and operated NBA Development League affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market Ave. N., Canton. 3 p.m. cantoncharge.com 22

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1/25 Wildlife and Wood Workshop: Suet Feeder Discover the types of birds you can attract to your backyard, and then build a hanging suet feeder. Space is limited. Registration begins 1/17. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 11 a.m. Participation is required to purchase a $15 kit; one kit per family. 330-865-8065 1/25 WWE Live! WWE returns to Canton for the first time in over five years on the road to Wrestlemania 30! Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market Ave. N, Canton. 7:30 p.m. $15-$95. 330-489-3090

1/21. Weekday Walkers Take a leisurely stroll on Old Mill and Rock Creek trails with stops along the way to discover nature. Furnace Run Metro Park/Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Road, Richfield. 10a.m. 330865-8065

1/26 Family Drop-in: Printmakingpalooza Young artists become master printmakers at this fun family drop-in. Experiment printmaking techniques using unusual supplies such as racecars, Jello and shaving cream. Become a print connoisseur by trading your finished multiples with others. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Noon-4 p.m. $7/adults, $6/ students and seniors, free for members and kids 17 and under. akronartmuseum.org

1/22 Canton Charge v. Fort Wayne Mad Ants Cheer on the exclusively owned and operated NBA Development League affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market Ave. N., Canton. 7 p.m. cantoncharge.com

1/26 Feeding Time This is your chance to help us feed the animals at the Nature Realm and learn more about them. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/ Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 12:30 p.m.

Registration begins 1/22. 330-865-8065

1/22 Apollo’s Fire: Drive the Cold Winter Away Soprano Meredith Hall performs Ballads from Old England including the music of Dowland and Purcell.

Grammy award-winning lutenist Ronn McFarlane leads a group of colleagues in the lively instrumental tunes of Elizabethan England. First United Methodist Church, 263 E. Mill St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. $30-$70. www.apollosfire.org

1/26 Metro Parks Book Club Join a naturalist for this lively discussion of “Confessions of a Bad Beekeeper”

by Bill Turnbull. Drinks provided; bring a mug. Sand Run Metro Park/Shady Hollow Pavilion,1750 Sand Run Parkway, Akron. 2 p.m. 330-865-8065

1/23-2/16 “Spider’s Web” by Agatha Christie A charming hostess has a houseful of dignitaries, eccentric servants, suspicious strangers, and a dead body hidden in a secret cupboard. Coach House Theatre, 732 W. Exchange St., Akron. For showtimes and ticket prices, call 330-434-7741.

1/23 Reading Under the Roof Cloud Join this book club discussion of “The Great Man” by Kate Christensen, followed by a guided tour of the museum’s collection of nudes. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. 6 p.m. Admission is free on Thursdays. www.akronartmuseum.org 1/24 Cardio Hike Hike 3.4 miles at a vigorous pace with a naturalist with few, if any, stops. Beginners welcome, but talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine. Drinking water recommended.

Goodyear Heights Metro Park/Pioneer Shelter, 550 Frazier Ave., Akron. 10 a.m. 330-865-8065

1/24 Jazz@The Civic: Josh Rzepka Trumpeter and composer Josh Rzepka is bringing his band back to the Civic for another night of swinging jazz. His quartet also includes pianist Theron Brown, bassist Mike Forfia and drummer Mike Gonder.

Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $20 and two for $30. www. akroncivic.com 1/25 Snowshoe Hike Get a brief how-to lesson followed by a moderate snowshoe hike. Kids must be 10 or older with an adult. If there’s not enough snow, there will still be a hike. Registration begins 1/16.

Firestone Metro Park/Tuscarawas Meadows Area, 2620 Harrington Road, Akron. 10 a.m. Snowshoe rental/$5. 330-865-8065

1/26 The University of Akron Steel Drum Band and Beach Party Leave the winter blues behind and escape to the rhythms of the Caribbean with the University of Akron Steel Drum Band. Enjoy a fun beach party in the grand lobby before the show.

Flying fish, ice cones, face painting and more. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 2:30 p.m.

Adults/$10. Children, 3 to 12/$5. www.akroncivic. com 1/26 Searching for Eagles Search for a bird that has made a great comeback. Wear sturdy boots and dress for the weather. Binoculars provided. Gorge Metro Park/Main Entrance, 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. 3 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/29 Nature Drawing for Adults Join this instructional and entertaining program. Bring a sketchbook, pencil and sense of humor. Beginners welcome. Registration begins 1/21. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm/Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 10 a.m. 330-865-8065 1/30-2/16 “Race” Playwright/director David Mamet tackles America’s most controversial topic in a provocative tale of sex, guilt and bold accusations.

Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron. $5-$21. For tickets and showtimes, call 330836-2626.

1/30 Weekday Walkers Take a leisurely stroll on Glens Trail with stops along the way to discover nature and history. Gorge Metro Park/Main Entrance, 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. 10 a.m. 330-865-8065

januar y 2014

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DAY STATION ICECREAM SPA WINERY BIKE SHOP SWIMMING POOL CHARITY RADIO CHEF EVENT

GOLF COURSE kro NEWaWORKOUT n li

OLD-SCHOOL BARBER SHOP

HAIR SALON

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LOCAL FINE BAR FOR A T-SHIRT ARTIST FIRST DATE n

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CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE

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2014

Win prizes by voting for your favorite local businesses!

The 11th annual "Best Of Akron" competition is your chance to vote for your local favorites – and to win great prizes! Who do you love – and why? Winners are decided strictly by your votes and will be announced in the July 2014 issue of akronlife. Please do NOT nominate national chains (i.e.

Starbucks or Macy’s). Local establishments only.

BAKERY

STORE FOR FOODIES

FARMERS’ MARKET

BAR FOR A FIRST DATE

LOCAL BLOGGER BURGER RULES • Only one ballot per person.

• Must be 16 years or older to enter.

• Ballots must include your name, phone number, city of residence and e-mail address. Only one ballot per phone number and e-mail address will be accepted.

• You must complete at least 25 categories for your ballot to be eligible – and for you to be entered into the drawing to win prizes.

• Ballots are the property of Baker Media Group, and we reserve the right to disqualify any ballot considered to be stuffed.

• Only ballots received by March 7, 2014 will be counted.

PRIVACY POLICY: We will not sell or distribute the personal information you provide us.

NOTE TO LOCAL BUSINESSES: akronlife welcomes you to encourage your customers to vote for your business.

However, mass distribution of ballots will be considered ballot stuffing and, if verified, the business will be disqualified.

LIVE MUSIC HANGOVER FOOD PATIO DINING VENUE INDEPENDENT COFFEEHOUSE TOY STORE LOCAL BAND OR MUSICIAN

RECORD STORE HIKING BRIDAL JEWELER …and many more

Go to www.akronlife.com to fill out our online voting form

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INTERIOR DECORATOR

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Vote at akronlife.com for akronlife’s

Best Of the City 2014

or complete the form below and send it to: akronlife Ballot, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313 Entertainment

All About Greater Akron

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12/18/13 11:08 AM

February 2014 1/30 Art History 101: Diana Al-Hadid’s Art Historical Roots Taught by Elisha Ann Dumser, assistant professor of art history, The University of Akron. Explore uncharted connections between the work of Al-Hadid and other major figures and monuments in art history. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. 6:30 p.m. Admission is free on Thursdays. www.akronartmuseum.org 1/30 Friends of the Akron School of the Arts Fundraiser Reservations for this 4th annual gala are due Jan. 24. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 6 p.m. $50 per person or $80 for two. www. akroncivic.com 1/31 Canton Charge v. Fort Wayne Mad Ants Cheer on the exclusively owned and operated NBA Development League affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market Ave. N., Canton. 7 p.m. cantoncharge.com 1/31 All-American Soap Box Derby Program Join the Soap Box Derby Team as they share their history and events, and show off some of the cars. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 7 p.m. 330-865-8065 1/31 Air Supply Russell Hitchcock’s soaring tenor and Graham Russell’s simple, yet majestic, songs created a unique sound that would forever be known as Air Supply. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. www.akroncivic.com

2/2 Akron Baroque on Westminster Presbyterian’s 5@5 series The dynamic, 15-piece chamber orchestra, conducted by Guy Victor Bordo, will present works by Bach and Handel, featuring soprano Susan Wallin and mezzo soprano Debra Bordo.

Westminster Church, 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron. 5 p.m. Free. www.akronbaroque.org 2/4 Canton Charge v. Austin Toros Cheer on the exclusively owned and operated NBA Development League affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market Ave. N., Canton.

7 p.m. cantoncharge.com 2/6 Printmaking Demo and Talk With Liz Maugans of Zygote Press. Discover how the prints in “Multiplicity” were created as you experience the exhibition with Maugans who will discuss her favorite works in the exhibition, talk about her own printing processes and demonstrate printmaking techniques.

Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. 6:30 p.m.

Admission is free every Thursday. akronartmuseum. org 2/6 Conversations from the Print Studio with master printer Craig Zammiello Over his 30 years as a master printer, Craig Zammiello has established himself as a foremost specialist of intaglio printmaking in the U.S. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. 6:30 p.m. Admission is free every Thursday. akronartmuseum.org

2/7 Ghost of the Blues A blues music review featuring the songs of Son House, Etta James, John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and some added surprises! Akron Civic Theatre. 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $39-$49 www.akroncivic.com 2/8 and 2/22 Countryside Farmers’ Market Buy seasonal products from local farmers. Old Trail School, 2315 Ira Road, Akron. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. www.cvcountryside.org 2/8 “Rusalka” Renée Fleming returns to one of her signature roles, singing the enchanting “Song to the Moon” in Dvorák’s soulful fairy-tale opera. Run time is approximately 4 hours. Montrose Movies 12, 4020 Medina Road, Akron; Hudson Cinema 10, 5339 Darrow Road, Hudson; Cinemark 15, 8161 Macedonia Commons Blvd., Macedonia; and Tinseltown USA 290, 4720 Mega St. NW, North Canton. 12:55 p.m.

Log on for ticket prices. fathomevents.com 2/9 Canton Charge v. Fort Wayne Mad Ants Cheer on the exclusively owned and operated NBA Development League affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market Ave. N., Canton. 5 p.m. cantoncharge.com 2/9 Akron Youth Symphony Winter Concert Conductor Levi Hammer leads this concert. Medina Performing Arts Center, 851 Weymouth Road, Medina. 3 p.m. $5; free for kids 10 and under. 330535-8131

2/6 Angel Art Auction Join the members of the Andrea Rose Teodosio Foundation for an evening of hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and both live and silent auctions featuring the works of local artists. Proceeds to benefit the establishment of the new Akron Children’s Museum. For more info, call 330-630-2243. w w w. akronlife.com

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12/18/13 11:09 AM

We,the Pet People

BEE volume 10 / issue 10

SURVIVING PET LOSS SPECIAL CARE FOR SENIOR PETS

Neighborhood

5 SIMPLE WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR PET SHELTER PET RESOURCE GUIDE

PET

BARS

A Glutton for Glory p42

The Chief Talks Mopes,

Untapped with

Mega Stardom

Hoppin' Frog

Your guide to the craft beer scene

B

Story by Aaron Fowler

Discover local breweries Learn about beer trading Find the right glass for your brew

The Boomers' How-to Guide / Canton Living

IInterview nterview with with Mark Mark Masuoka Masuoka / Ohio Ohio Mart Mart / Downtown Downtown Akron Akron Partnership Partnership

volume 1 1 / issue 6

june 201 3

Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree / Visit Am

Jessica

Jacob

volume 1 1 / issue 9

september 201 3 volume 1 1 / issue 10

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Would-Be Rum Runner

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Inspired Artists Local artisans discuss their work and their lives.

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Rediscovering

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Diners' Diary at

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The Office

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Cameos of Caring / Neighborhood: Kent

volume 1 1 / issue 1 1

november 201 3

Great Gift Ideas for

Betsy Hartschuh Akron Children's Museum co-founder

7th Arts Alive! Awards Financial Planning p86

p10 Making a Meal Out of a Snack

35

any taste or budget

Diners' Diary: Pad Thai p50

Honoring local stars of the arts

Neighborhood: South Summit p89

Mia Saltis

your life. your city. your magazine. now at your fingertips.

The essential guide to everything local from dining, arts, entertainment, and living well in the Rubber City — now available for free on your mobile device.

To download visit us online at www.akronlife.com/app Available for all iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire and all Android devices.

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12/18/13 11:12 AM

NEW THIS MONTH!

by Melodie Laird, Art Director at Dino Palmieri Salon & Spa

Dear Melodie...

When it comes to understanding style, creating trends and providing the best advice EVER, we here at akronlife turn to our friend, stylist goddess Melodie.

She knows a thing or two about hair and is also an expert in the relationship department, so we’re sharing her nuggets of knowledge with you.

o Parks Fall Hiking Spree / Visit Am

their wn han Loc the

If you have a hair, makeup or just plain old relationship question you’d like her to tackle, email it to acymerman@bakermediagroup.com, and we’ll pass it on to Mel for a response in an upcoming issue.

Dear Melodie,

Dear Melodie,

I want to break up with my stylist and try someone new but I’ve been going to the same person for years. I feel bad and don’t want to hurt her feelings. I also don’t want to just cancel my next appointment or not show up, just in case it doesn’t work out with the new person and I want to go back. Should I call and tell her?

Every time I go to a salon, I tell the person cutting my hair that I only want a trim but I end up with several inches gone. It takes months to grow it out again, and then we start the cycle over. What gives? What can I do to stop this from happening? I’m thinking of just not getting haircuts anymore.

Sincerely, Looking For a New Love Dear Looking, First, thank you for being considerate of your stylist’s feelings. Second, no stylist believes that your aunt’s cousin’s neighbor’s friend bought you a gift certificate to a new salon for dog sitting their Schnauzer while they were in Milan … so just go ahead and scratch that off the list.

You really don’t “need” to do anything.

This is business, and though it isn’t something you may have experienced, all stylists (even the best of us) have. The odds of your stylist accosting you while you’re squeezing melons at Giant Eagle and wanting to know what happened are slim to none. We don’t like hearing awkward news any more than you like delivering it. Same thing if you decide to go back. We are genuinely just happy to see you again. We probably won’t bring it up if you don’t.

If you feel you must let the stylist know, please send a card to the salon addressed to her. Be kind and brief. Thank her for taking such good care of you over the years.

Mention that you’re looking for a change right now, say that you hope to see her soon, and wish her well. That’s it.

Sincerely, So Frustrated

Dear Melodie,

I have some split ends but I don’t want to cut them off. Every product I buy that says it will fix them, doesn’t. What can I get that will do the job?

Sincerely, Stop the Splitting Dear Splitsville, There are a couple of different stages the hair goes through when it’s compromised.

First it gets dry and brittle, next it starts to split in two. When it’s just dry or brittle, there are many products that can help. If it isn’t taken care of at this point, it will split and continue to split right up the hair shaft.

The only cure, let me repeat, the ONLY cure — once it has started splitting — is amputation. I’m sorry to deliver the bad news so abruptly but once you realize what needs to be done, do it. Don’t wait. This isn’t some underutilized body part. This is your hair!

Happy Hair Days, — Melodie

Dear Frustrated, It sounds like there’s a communication problem going on. Remember that stylists aren’t like normal people (at least the ones I know — and I know a lot of us.) We’re artists, and we want our creation to look the best it can. Sometimes we forget our creations have opinions and ideas. This may sound elementary, but you need to tell us. Specifically. Show us how much you’re willing to part with. We’re visual creatures.

Don’t just say “an inch”; an inch to me and an inch to you could be worlds apart.

/ Melodie Laird is the Art Director at the Dino Palmieri Salon & Spa at Summit Mall in Akron.

Also, “take off the split ends” is NEVER going to be the same to you as it is to your stylist. Ask your stylist to show you how much needs to come off. If you don’t want that much off, tell him or her. (Note: You aren’t allowed to complain later that you still have split ends if your stylist says seven inches need to come off, and you stood there with your protractor marked at the ¼-inch line saying if it goes above that you’re going to leave a horse head in their bed.)

Happy Hair Days!

— Melodie

330-865-1800 Summit Mall, Akron

Now you can also visit us at

by Dino Palmieri Salon&Spa 330-678-8600 Downtown Kent

Happy Hair Days!

— Melodie

Email your questions to managing editor Abby Cymerman at acymerman@ bakermediagroup.com, and watch for Melodie’s response in an upcoming issue. w w w. akronlife.com

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Salon&Spa

Rush

You’ve left the door open just in case, and if you do see her in the produce aisle, you don’t have to pretend be your doppelganger that doesn’t speak English.

Need Advice?

Dino Palmieri

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12/18/13 11:13 AM

FLASH 1

Life Is Good No Matter What Seed Party The organizers of Life Is Good No Matter What, an Akron-based cancer charity, held a Seed Party Aug. 1 at Portage Country Club to raise money and spread awareness of their fledgling organization.

This group was founded in 2012 by Akron resident Troy Haslinger, in honor of his sister Holly Haslinger Sneider who died of colon cancer in 2011. Life Is Good No Matter What grants wishes/cherished experiences to terminally ill adults with advanced cancer.

“Founding the charity was my way of continuing my sister’s legacy,” Haslinger says. “Her motto throughout her 18-month battle with cancer was that life is good, no matter what. Getting the backing of the Akron community is invaluable because it allows us to spread the word about our mission and to widen our base of support to continue creating cherished experiences for adults battling advanced cancer.”

2

1. The Life is Good No Matter What board of trustees and marketing team welcomed guests to the charity’s Seed Party on Aug. 1 at Portage Country Club. Left to right: Ray Wayt, Alison Breaux, Troy Haslinger, Anita Calleri, John Jewell, Kathy Johnson, James Cribbet and Erin Haslinger

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2. Dr. Todd Breaux, Dave and Michelle Benson, Lisa Wittenberry, Dawn Keathley and Troy Haslinger 3. Paul and Kate Perry

Tuesday Musical 125th Anniversary Gala

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The Tuesday Musical 125th Anniversary Gala was held Sept. 7 on the main stage of E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall on The University of Akron campus.

For the past 125 years, Tuesday Musical has brought world-class performers to Akron, including Vladimir Horowitz, Luciano Pavarotti, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Renee Fleming, Joshua Bell, Wynton Marsalis and The Cleveland Orchestra.

Celebrating the past and looking toward the future, guests enjoyed spectacular music and a feast provided by A Taste of Excellence.

The event co-chairs were Mary Ann Jackson and Dan Dahl. Barbara Feld, Tuesday Musical’s recently retired executive director, served as the gala’s honorary chair.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Tuesday Musical’s concert and educational programs.

During the gala, the group announced the establishment of the Barbara A. Feld Educational Experience Fund of the Akron Community Foundation. This fund will provide continuing support for Tuesday Musical’s Master Classes and outreach opportunities for students in our region.

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akronlife

1. Sue Gillman

6. Soprano Dina Kuznetsova

2. Mary Ann Jackson, Barbara Feld and Dan Dahl

7. Barbara Feld, Lola Rothman and Jarrod Hartzler, Tuesday Musical’s new executve director.

3. Melissa Davi and Jerry Wong 4. The lantern decorations represented artists who have appeared as part of the Tuesday Musical concert series.

5. David Fisher, piano and George Pope, flute

8. Leann, Brenda and Wayne Schneider 9. Beverley and Robert Fischer Photos by Bruce Ford

januar y 2014

12/18/13 11:14 AM

zler,

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1. Mark Auburn, executive vice president of the Greater Akron Musical Association board of trustees, and Dan Dahl, executive director of E.J. Thomas Hall 2. Jarrod Hartzler, executive director of the Tuesday Musical Association, and Paul Jarrett, executive director of the Akron Symphony

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3. Denis and Barbara Feld 4. Sheila and Marty Gottlieb, Mel andNancy Mermelstein, and Rosalie Krieger

E.J. Thomas Hall’s 40 & Fabulous Gala The community celebrated 40 years of musical memories at E.J. Thomas Hall with a fantastic 40 & Fabulous Gala, Nov. 1. VIPs were treated to an open bar and creative hors d’oeuvres in the Goodrich Lobby, while Sarah Kaufman entertained the crowd with piano favorites.

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Following the VIP reception, guests settled in for a concert performed by Michael Cavanaugh, his band and the fantastic Akron Symphony Orchestra, led by Christopher Wilkins. Cavanaugh, who starred in “Movin’ Out” on Broadway, performed the music of Billy Joel, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, James Taylor and other great singer-songwriters.

After the show, VIPs received a Michael Cavanaugh CD and an exclusive E.J. Thomas tote bag designed by Akron artist Don Drumm. Guests toasted E.J.’s anniversary with champagne and gourmet mini cupcakes.

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The Fourth Annual “Joyful Tastes of Life” Benefit Akron General Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) hosted its fourth annual “Joyful Tastes of Life” benefit Oct. 10 at St. George’s Family Center in Akron.

This fun, casual evening featured wines, craft beer from local breweries and food prepared by area restaurants. Sue Wilson, WQMX Program Director/Morning Show Co-Host, and Tim Daugherty, WONE Program Director, served as the evening’s emcees.

1. (Left to right) From Nuevo Restaurant, Stephanie Smith, Jason Yoho and Jessica Star

4. HCR Manor Care’s Sherrie Sanchez and Monica Ross

2. Jill Provance and Sheila James

5. Tracey Nauer and Karen Mullen

3. (Left to right) From Hospice, Paula Howard, Linda Sparling and Stephanie Dillon

6. Hospice volunteers Robert and Wanda Vigar

The event included a silent auction, raffle and live music. It was sponsored by Dr. John J. Petrus, and all proceeds went toward end-of-life patient care and supportive services at Hospice of VNS.

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education 2014

Benjamin Easton • 12th Grade • Archbishop Hoban High School

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akronlife

januar y 2014

12/18/13 1:38 PM

Star Students These young scholars are among the area’s best and brightest.

by Abby Cymerman

T

photos by Shane Wynn

oo often, we hear news

reports about children and teens who get in trouble with the law, have problems in school and treat their communities and classmates with disrespect.

Here at akronlife magazine, we’re dedicated to recognizing the young adults in our neighborhoods who are getting good grades, serving as positive role models to their peers and saving not only their own communities, but the planet, one step at a time.

Meeting these five students has been a pleasure for us, and we hope you’ll enjoy getting to know them as well.

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Ben Easton is only 18 but he already has an impressive twopage resume. He was nominated by his principal, Dr. Mary Anne Beiting.

Ben Easton

12th Grade Archbishop Hoban High School

In addition to serving as class valedictorian, being named an Academic Knight, receiving a Silver Award on the National Spanish Exam and scoring a 5 on both the Advanced Placement English and U.S. History exams, Easton is the editor of the school newspaper, a member of the Knights soccer and varsity track teams, served on student council and plays steel drum, piano and guitar.

He has worked at Camp Christopher and South Street Ministries and participated in the March for Life, Project HOPE and the Homeless Run. He took a campus ministry trip to Ghana, participated in a Chilean exchange program and is attending a medical mission to Honduras this month. He also works at Buehler’s Fresh Foods.

Easton is the son of Patricia and John Easton.

What’s your favorite subject, and why?

My favorite subject is English because, of all things, I enjoy reading and writing most.

What do your friendships say about you?

My friendships show both my interests and character as a person. I prefer to surround myself with caring and intelligent people.

Which cultural icon do you respect the most, and why?

I respect John Steinbeck as an icon for the 20th century because I’ve always felt his style and content reflect the true foundations of the American character and spirit.

Who in your school inspires you to get a good education?

My teachers have encouraged me to get a good education, but my cousin, Anthony Arnone, has inspired me to learn. He attends the University of San Francisco and is a Hoban grad. Just like I plan to be, he’s an English major and has influenced my taste in literature.

What would surprise people about you?

People may be surprised to know that I’m a huge fan of Justin Timberlake.

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akronlife

januar y 2014

12/18/13 1:38 PM

education 2014

Quick Q&A It’s one thing to read stats about a school; it’s another to learn about the school’s academic philosophy.

In this section, we’ve provided the mission statement from each featured school and asked them what sets them apart from other local institutions of learning.

We hope this information will help you make an educated decision when choosing a school for your child. For your next step, we suggest you call the school or visit its website to get your remaining questions answered by school admission directors.

Akron Public Schools, Akron mission statement

The mission of Akron Public Schools is to ensure that each student in our diverse population achieves his or her fullest potential in a safe and affirming learning center characterized by an extensive, student-focused collaboration of all segments of the community, with an emphasis on preparing students to live and excel in a global environment.

What do your schools do to encourage leadership skills in your students?

Akron Public Schools offer students the opportunity to develop leadership skills through a variety of experiences. Programs such as Junior Leadership Akron, Healthcare in Progress, Superintendent’s Student Seminar, Project GRAD Akron, Global Scholars and the LeBron James Family Foundation’s 330 Ambassador Program allow students to participate in structured leadership programming. In addition, many of our academic and extra-curricular programs provide internship and experiential learning opportunities in a variety of career fields that develop students’ leadership abilities.

How do your teachers incorporate technology into their lessons?

As APS moves to more technology integration, students are learning how to develop and maintain digital portfolios, to collaborate with their teachers through online portals to turn in assignments and to see their graded work. Students are also learning how to collaborate online by working in student teams where they must complete group projects through online portals where they share ideas and work on projects. Students also are learning the tools of digital literacy so they’re better able to search for material through the use of online libraries and learning communities to get the information they need to support their learning. At the start of the 2013-2014 school year, we partnered with SEBCO Books and the LeBron James Family Foundation and offered online books that could be accessed via computer so elementary students could have access to additional reading materials in an effort to meet our early learning goals.

St. Hilary School, Fairlawn mission statement

Our mission is to keep Christ at the center of all that we do. In partnership with our parents and parish community, we will inspire our students, through innovative and challenging academic experiences, to be leaders capable of making a positive change in the world.

How do your 1:1 iPad program and hands-on science lab benefit your students?

In line with its mission to develop tomorrow’s leaders today, St. Hilary School proudly offers state-of-the-art technology, including a 1:1 iPad program for all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students. Students use their school-provided iPads for classroom lessons, research, note-taking, projects and homework assignments.

Additionally, the school features iPad carts for all kindergarten to fifth-grade students, and a newly renovated technology lab which all students visit at least once weekly. A fullyequipped hands-on science lab is also available for all grade levels to use in connection with science lessons. The assistance of a lab manager maximizes instructional time for teachers and students. These and many other amenities and opportunities allow St. Hilary School to foster cutting-edge learning and develop leadership skills in its students.

Western Reserve Academy, Hudson mission statement

A Western Reserve Academy education offers a transformational experience where students strive for excellence, live with integrity and act with compassion.

How can incoming students prepare themselves for the boarding school experience?

At Western Reserve Academy, you need a willingness to learn, a passion for personal growth, and the ability to thrive in a small community dedicated to your success. Boarding school is challenging and rewarding. Your days are full; there is a lot of homework, as well as extracurricular activities in sports, music, arts and theater. The subject matter is fascinating, and our teachers are as passionate about their subjects as you can imagine. You’ll learn things you never dreamed of learning, and you’ll do it with the support of a second family. You need to be comfortable working on your own, with no one standing over you. That breeds independence, self-reliance and prepares you for college – and life – in a way no other education can.

Our Lady of The Elms Middle and High School, Akron mission statement

Our Lady of the Elms, an independent, Catholic school rooted in the Dominican tradition, educates girls and young women to listen openly, evaluate wisely, speak bravely, lead justly and serve compassionately.

In which ways do girls benefit from a single-sex education?

Why an all-girl school? All student leader positions are held by girls. All the lead roles in the school play are held by girls. All the hands in the air to answer the teacher’s question belong to girls. The students planning the prayer service, winning the science fair, excelling as an athlete, giving the presentation – all girls. Our Lady of the Elms has been providing an education to girls since 1923 and is the only allgirls school in Summit County.

“My daughter has flourished in the all-girl environment. She has confidence, poise and a willingness to participate and lead that my friends have noticed,” says the father of an Elms student. “I always tell them it’s because she attends an all-girl school.” continued on page 36

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Rachel Coury 12th Grade • Our Lady of the Elms High School

Scholar/athlete Rachel Coury was nominated by Dr. Ruth Friedman, The Elms’ interim principal, and Sr. Maura Bartel, assistant principal and registrar.

They describe Coury as “dependable, responsible, cooperative, organized and a leader who stresses that everyone is important to the team.”

Coury was president of her class in both the 9th and 11th grades and is president of Coalition, The Elms’ student council. She has maintained Honor Roll status for four years and has held leadership roles with the school’s soccer and basketball teams. She’s been a member of the Spirit Club for three years and was a senior retreat team leader this year.

Coury is the daughter of Carole and Tony Coury.

What’s your favorite subject, and why?

My favorite subject is chemistry. I like the combination of math and science in one class. It’s challenging but still enjoyable. I plan to pursue a career in physical therapy.

Malachi’s homeless shelter. This past summer I went on a weeklong service trip to New York City working in soup kitchens and serving the homeless.

Which cultural icon do you respect the most, and why?

I greatly admire Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker.

She devoted her life to working for justice and peace throughout the world and had a huge impact on social justice. I had the opportunity to learn a lot about her in New York City where I worked at one of the first Catholic Worker houses.

Who in your school inspires you to get a good education?

The Elms focuses heavily on academics, and all of my teachers motivate me to strive to be the best student possible. I even had one teacher send me a letter over the summer congratulating me on a good score on an AP final exam.

What would surprise people about you?

A lot of people would be surprised to know that I’m not always high-energy outside of school. My favorite activity at home is to take a nice long nap.

What kind of activities do you do outside school?

I volunteer at a nursing home and St.

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13-year-old Emma Timken was nominated by Paul Monks, her school’s director of admission, because “she is one of the hardest working, caring and compassionate students” he’s ever known.

Emma Timken 8th Grade Canton Country Day School

“Emma has challenged herself in all areas of school life, not only in the classroom and on the athletic fields, but as a leader for her peers and the younger children at CCDS,” Monks says.

Timken loves to read so, naturally, her favorite subject is Language Arts. She also plays three sports: soccer in the fall and spring, basketball in the winter, and track in the spring. She also was co-captain for soccer and basketball.

Timken is the daughter of Jane and Ward “Tim” Timken.

What do you like most about your school?

The thing I like most about my school is the ability to be you whenever and wherever; there is no one to tell you that you can’t be yourself.

Which cultural icon do you respect the most, and why?

The cultural icon that I most respect is Bill Gates, because he didn’t let anyone stop his dreams and ideas.

What career path do you plan to pursue?

I haven’t decided what I would like to do yet, but I know I want to be successful in whatever I do.

Who in your school inspires you to get a good education?

(French teacher) Madame Sommers motivates me to get the most out of my education. She is the most inspiring because she truly cares about us as students and as children.

What would surprise people about you?

I live on a farm with sheep, corn and soybeans. w w w. akronlife.com

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continued from page 33

Spring Garden Waldorf School, Copley mission statement

We are committed to educating each child so that he or she will contribute to the future of the world with clear and creative thinking, compassion, moral strength and courage. Spring Garden Waldorf School is part of the long-standing Waldorf tradition, a worldwide movement putting Rudolf Steiner’s educational philosophy into practice. This method works because it addresses the whole child – cognitive, social and creative – and meets the needs of each individual through a challenging and multi-sensory environment.

How do you encourage students to incorporate a worldview and think beyond themselves?

In one word: Relationships. The strength of the student/teacher relationship makes the children feel safe to share their thoughts, ideas and dreams. It empowers the students to step outside of themselves and develop thoughtful responses as they meet the Waldorf curriculum which is rich with world history and culture. The Waldorf approach to teaching shows and encourages the children to think about how they relate to the information they are learning and then how this relates to the world. Our mission is that these children will step out into the world and approach their relationships with creative thinking, compassion, moral strength and courage.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Cuyahoga Falls mission statement

Educating and Cultivating Servants for Christ: through Christ-Centered Education; valuing the whole student; being a Community that trains and mentors; and developing Authentic faith in our students

How do Advanced Placement courses prepare your students for higher education?

Students have the opportunity to experience college class work within a biblical worldview.

Our AP faculty members have, at minimum, a master’s degree, and they’re all current in their subjects and teaching methodology unique to the rigors of a college class. The students find success through AP test scores and college credit, of course, but just as importantly, they realize they’re capable of grappling with

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the “big questions” others might not face until college. Those students with AP potential are strongly encouraged to take one or two AP classes, starting with United States History in 10th grade.

Walsh Jesuit High School, Cuyahoga Falls mission statement

Walsh Jesuit, a Catholic, college preparatory high school in the spirit of St. Ignatius of Loyola, reaches beyond academic excellence to develop competence, conscience and compassion within its graduates. As a Christcentered community, we strive to be men and women for others.

What do you do to help students become well-rounded: educationally, artistically, athletically and spiritually?

A Walsh student is open to growth, intellectually competent, religious, loving and committed to doing justice. These five doctrines epitomize a Walsh Jesuit graduate. It means that our students reflect on their behavior and seek new opportunities for intellectual and social development. They strive for a constant deepening of their relationship with God in all that they do and say. As a result, they are called to love one another as God loves us. Finally, they are committed both to promoting the human dignity of all people, and to take an active stance against all forces that oppose it. “Men and Women for Others” is more than our motto; it’s a way of life.

The Lippman School, Akron mission statement

To create an inclusive, nurturing and vibrant learning environment, anchored in Jewish traditions and values, that provides all students with personalized educational experiences which prepare them to achieve their utmost potential throughout their lives as members of a 21st century global society.

What do your teachers do to help students become critical thinkers?

We challenge our students with critical thinking in the context of a diverse, values-based curriculum that builds cultural competency. Through cross-cultural partnerships, like the one developed with the Northern Cheyenne Nation, our students experience culture, history and

januar y 2014

identity building when they travel to Montana to live and learn with native peers. While on the reservation students re-examine United States history through a learning lens that textbooks and online learning can’t provide.

As our students enter private, parochial and public high schools, they have a deep appreciation of the complexity of our global society through such experiences. This educational philosophy is expressed throughout our kindergarten through eighth-grade curricula.

These authentic learning experiences extend beyond the school to home through innovative, family educational opportunities.

Canton Country Day School, Canton mission statement

Canton Country Day School offers children preschool through eighth grade a solid educational foundation by cultivating an environment in which scholarship, responsibility, and respect for others flourish along with creativity, enthusiasm and self respect.

Within this stimulating environment, the school encourages children, with the support of their families, to: • be active seekers for knowledge; • examine their convictions honestly and embrace them humbly, both in word and deed; • recognize themselves as participants in a common humanity and citizens of a common universe; • discover their own creative powers and labor patiently to surpass ready achievement; and • wonder at that which transcends their understanding and challenges their imagination.

Dedicated to developing character and the abilities to think and communicate clearly, Canton Country Day seeks to fully prepare its graduates to meet the challenges of rigorous secondary programs and to assume positions of responsibility in their communities.

What does your school do to maximize your students’ potential?

Canton Country Day School’s gifted faculty and staff create a motivating environment that empowers CCDS students with the skills and desire necessary to maximize their academic, arts and athletic achievements. CCDS is a technologyrich school. Students in grades 4 through 8 perform their homework and research with individually assigned Apple laptops.

Preschoolers through grade 3 use iPads to continued on page 40

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Cade Capper, nominated by Amy Hecky, Spring Garden’s director of admissions and marketing, is not your typical 14-year-old.

He often has philosophical conversations with his mom, takes jujitsu and doesn’t watch television. He was recently accepted as a violinist in the Akron Youth Philharmonic and plans a career as a professional violinist.

Cade Capper

8th Grade • Spring Garden Waldorf School

During the warm weather, Capper takes on a seasonal hobby. “I like to find Monarch butterfly eggs, raise them in a safe environment and then release them into the wild,” he says. “One summer, I raised 26 Monarchs.”

Capper is the son of Joyce and Ken Capper.

What do you like most about your school?

There’s a lot to like about it! If I have to pick one thing, I guess it’s the teachers and how nice they are. Our teachers really know and respect each student’s personality and their strengths and weaknesses. They really understand what it’s like to be a kid.

Who in your school inspires you to get a good education?

All of my teachers but mostly Julie Carpenter, my orchestra teacher. She was first chair in the Akron Youth Symphony when she was my age!

What kind of extracurricular activities do you do?

I’m on the school basketball team, and I run track in the spring. I am involved with my church’s youth group. I also started a club in Wadsworth for kids who are interested in helping the environment. I named it the Earth Day Crew. We collect recyclables, plant trees and flowers, and pick up trash.

I’ve been doing it for four years now.

What one place in the world do you plan to visit, and why?

I would like to go to the Amazon rainforest to see all the plants and animals that live there. People are destroying the rainforests, and I’d like to see one before they’re gone.

Which cultural icon do you respect the most, and why?

I read an article on the plane this summer about Harry Connick Jr. When he was asked what he would tell his 10-year-old self, he replied, “Practice more.” And that really stuck with me.

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education 2014

Jacob Stephens 8th Grade • The Lippman School

14-year-old Jacob Stephens was nominated by Sam Chestnut, Head of The Lippman School.

Wise beyond his years, Stephens says many people in his life have helped him but, “the person who inspires me to do my best is my dad.”

“He inspires me the most because of how hard he works for us to have a good life,” he says. “I might never honestly say that I know anyone that works harder for other people than him.”

Stephens is the son of Michelle and Drew Stephens, and Terry Stephens.

What kind of extracurricular activities do you do?

I do multiple extracurricular activities throughout the year. I’m currently participating in basketball and dive team.

What one place in the world do you plan to visit, and why?

My school took a trip to Israel last year, and I enjoyed the opportunity to go there. I would like to revisit Israel later in my life because it has multiple places that I enjoyed visiting, such as Tel Aviv because of how modern it was, yet at the same time, it is such a historical country.

Which cultural icon do you respect the most, and why?

I respect Michael Jordan the most because he took the time and dedication to become good at the one thing he enjoyed doing most. But, at the same time, he focused on his education and kept up his grades.

What career path do you plan to pursue?

I plan to pursue a career as a lawyer because I’ve been told by almost everyone that I stick to my beliefs and am good at arguing my point.

What would surprise people about you?

The thing that would surprise people about me is that I’ve taken five years of karate and was a brown belt when I stopped training, and I’ve been on a swim team for five years.

Comments? E-mail them to managing editor Abby Cymerman at acymerman@bakermediagroup.com 38

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continued from page 36

enhance their learning. CCDS students enjoy national and statewide recognition with high achievements in Virtual Science Fair, History Day competitions, National Spelling Bee, National French Concours, Power of the Pen, Chess and MathCounts. Year after year, CCDS alumni are named Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Top 10 and Gold Medal awardees in their high school graduation classes.

The Canton Repository recognized four CCDS graduates as “Teens of the Month” during the 2012-2013 school year.

Walsh University, North Canton mission statement

Walsh University is an independent, coeducational Catholic, liberal arts and sciences institution. Founded by the Brothers of Christian Instruction, Walsh University is dedicated to educating its students to become leaders in service to others through a values-based education with an international perspective in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

What role does diversity play in the education of your students?

Diversity is threaded through all facets of the Walsh University experience. Our student population represents a variety of socio-economic and religious backgrounds as well as geographic diversity, including students from 15 states and 31 countries. Students also experience diversity by participating in community service learning projects working for the betterment of surrounding communities. Onehundred percent of Walsh University students participate in service learning. It’s part of our core curriculum. Walsh’s Global Learning Program allows students to experience cultural diversity in a variety of locations. The Office of Multicultural Affairs assists diversity efforts by providing an inclusive environment for all students and offers cultural programming and support services.

How do students benefit from your study abroad program?

The Walsh University Global Learning Program is a transformational student experience providing first-hand immersion in the culture, history and day-to-day living in another country. Students may elect a cross cultural study at Walsh University’s satellite campus just outside of Rome, Italy or in a variety of other countries around the globe. Nursing students provide healthcare for residents of Moshi, Tanzania, and business students can experi40

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ence the business culture of Seoul, South Korea. In addition, the Brother Francis Blouin Scholars Program provides students an opportunity to use scholarship to address a global issue of their choice that can be studied more in depth in a specific culture. Twenty-five percent of Walsh University students participate in global learning programs.

who chart their progress and set their own goals for achievement. Our teachers provide feedback to students about their progress and hold daily help sessions for students who are not meeting their learning targets. At OHDELA, we’re committed to providing an engaging and successful learning experience for every child.

OHDELA

The Academies

mission statement

mission statement

The mission is to offer families a valuable educational alternative while practicing and promoting academic integrity through quality technology-based curriculum and highly qualified teacher support, which fosters academic excellence in our students.

The Academies are tuition-free community schools in Ohio providing a safe, disciplined and nurturing learning environment for students in grades K to 8. Currently, there are 14 academies throughout Ohio - in Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Youngstown. The Academies are a haven for parents caught between frustration with traditional public schools and the expense of private schools. We strive to raise the level of achievement for every student we teach.

What kind of educational advantage do your schools provide to your students?

OHDELA is one of Ohio’s first online learning academies serving families from all over the state. We are one of the few online schools to provide live, engaged learning experiences using web cam technology. This and other new technologies make us the better choice for preparing students for their future whether they enter college or the workforce. With OHDELA’s online learning, flexibility is key: Time, location and pace are no longer factors for learning success. This advantage allows students more time to think about questions posed which promotes higher quality responses. Students receive personalized learning which gives them greater ownership and control of their education. This ownership helps students take pride in their work while developing important self-management skills.

This is what makes OHDELA a leader in learning.

How do your schools measure educational outcomes to ensure they’re successfully serving their students?

At OHDELA, learning is datadriven, with teachers receiving regular updates on student progress. This empowers teachers by equipping them with the information to immediately intervene when students are struggling or adjust instruction based on student learning.

Our teachers work in teams to analyze data and make adjustments to their instruction based upon students’ assessment information.

The use of data also extends to our students

What kind of educational advantage do your schools provide to your students?

Our schools provide a caring and respectful learning environment for each student. At The Academies, students are engaged in real world problem solving and active inquiry that assist students in achieving 21st century skills. In addition, individualized plans are designed for students depending upon their unique educational needs. Parents and families are welcomed as partners in the learning process and have opportunities to become actively engaged in school and learning activities. The schools’ curriculum is aligned to common core standards, and the teachers in the schools are dedicated, knowledgeable professionals who are passionate about ensuring that the best learning opportunities for each student are in place.

How do your schools measure educational outcomes to ensure they’re successfully serving their students?

The Academies use ongoing assessments to measure educational outcomes in order to ensure that we are successfully serving all students. Specific outcome measures include quarterly benchmarks, the Ohio Achievement Assessment and nationally normed assessments. These types of assessments are used to continued on page 46

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education 2014

by David W. James

Kids and Moving Parts It was just a couple of weeks ago that I finally removed my hands from the cavity of a turkey.

I’m the go-to guy for our family’s holiday meals, and the holiday season is kind of like my Super Bowl of creative cuisine.

I still managed — while in the throes of meal preparation — to squeeze in thoughts of my 22,000 students and their futures. What could possibly make cooking a huge, complicated meal analogous to my work as superintendent of Akron Public Schools (APS)?

I certainly don’t have to go to a professional to find the answer.

Cooking keeps me present, in the moment.

So, as I reflect — and this often happens when I’m stirring gravy or stuffing the turkey — on our students, their families and our community in general, I’m amazed at the sheer number of moving parts integral to making it all successful.

So much has to be coordinated and organized without failing for it all to come together, and I often wonder how we succeed so many times given those odds. We have only so much control over the ingredients too, unless I raise my own bird, grow my own corn and harvest cranberries in a nearby bog (unlikely).

In both pursuits, there are lots of pieces and parts, many ingredients and the muchneeded right environment to make it all come together. Timing is important, as are adjustments along the way when things don’t go as planned.

And when it’s done, I can appreciate a wonderfully done, finished product if all has gone well.

Cooking. Educating. I see similarities.

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A Student’s Passion Being superintendent is a labor of love. It comes from my passion for learning and love of children. Both inspire me.

But, our job as educators must be to learn what passions kids have and how to use those to promote high achievement, a sense of community and the self-confidence they need to be in control of their own lives.

I’m a father, and my own children probably half-believe anything I say. But, because I love them and want what’s best, I’m fairly insistent with them — expecting much — while reminding them that they must do the work because no one else will.

So why does it seem so many students struggle to achieve and succeed? It could be because of the excuses society provides and the rampant culture of low expectations. We need to find what our young people like, expect much, follow through and guide them along the path.

Helicopters in School Too many parents and guardians have abdicated responsibility, made excuses and blamed schools. No school can do what it does best without positive and reasonable parental intervention. Not “helicoptering” and not disappearing, but balanced guidance. No excuses.

Educating children is everyone’s responsibility.

And, given the myriad problems facing families from crime and poverty to mental illness, behavioral issues and low expectations, it’s reasonable to conclude that the challenge is great.

It’s more important than ever that we focus on what is positive and what is right. This is no time to be stuck in deficit thinking.

Many families are in need today regardless of their economic status or social standing. And any problem that arises can be a barrier to student success because, in many instances, these problems can be barriers to parents’ ability to be successful parents.

I have a theory: Promoting a sense of

responsibility in our children — a sense of self, leadership and self-actualization — can help them make it in the world despite some of the problems they may bring with them to school. Even less-than-adequate parenting could be overcome.

Many times we discipline students and have positive results from them following the handing down of a detention or a suspension, for instance. Often times, the trouble only begins when parents intervene. Most of the time, the kids understand what we’re about.

College and Career Ready At APS, we focus on making sure each student who leaves us is ready for college and career. Nothing is more important than this. I want my children and all of our students to grow up prepared to take care of themselves while doing something they enjoy, something that sustains them and their families.

The most important role for me as superintendent is to provide opportunity for my students to excel in what and where they want to be in life. So, I try to provide all 22,000 kids with the proper tools for success and expand their horizons so they can see a compelling future, care about the Akron community and

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the world, develop a sense of their place in the world and take more responsibility for their own lives.

Results.

As adults, we have to remember that these are children. No matter how ‘grown up’ they may act, they need our guidance and support.

2013

We have our specialty schools like Miller South, our National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM middle and high schools, our International Baccalaureate program at Firestone, and our New Tech program at Buchtel CLC.

National Virtual Science Fair First place winner - 8th grade

Amanda Palutsis

However, we have many more programs and partnerships that serve the very diverse needs of our students.

Redesigned, Redefined Some of these programs include our Akron After School Program, the Wheels for Education Partnership with LeBron James and the LeBron James Family Foundation, and Project GRAD Akron, as well as partnerships with Summit County Juvenile Court, Stark State College, Lorain Community College, The University of Akron and Kent State University.

What kind of results are you looking for from your child’s preschool through grade 8 education?

Learn more about how our teachers provide a personalized learning environment that will deliver your child’s maximum potential.

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continued on page 45

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Class Teacher to Student Size Ratio

education 2014

School Name

Graduation Rate

Tuition

Open House Dates

N/A

Contact school for details

Akron Public Schools

Varies

1:23

75.9% (four year) 82.2% (five year)

St. Hilary

23

1:23

100%

Western Reserve Acadamy

Varies

1:7

100%

16

1:8

100%

12–15

1:10

100%

12

1:6

100%

18

1:9

100%

16

1:25

100%

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy

18

1:12

100%

Walsh Jesuit High School

21.2

1:15

100%

The Lippman School

12

1:9

N/A

Canton Country Day School

12–15

1:8.8

100%

Walsh University

14

1:13

64% (six year)

St. Sebastian

23

1:23

100%

Contact school for details

Archbishop Hoban High School

24

1:13

100%

$9,400 (2013-14 school year)

Contact school for details

OHDELA

42

1:42

24.8%

Tuition-free

Begins in August, call school for details

The Academies

25

1:25

N/A

Tuition-free

For details, visit the-academies.com

Life Skills High School

25

1:25

Contact school for details

Tuition-free

For details, find Life Skills High School on Facebook

The University of Akron

25-30

1:20

40% (six year)

Our Lady of the Elms (Elementary School)

Our Lady of the Elms (High School)

Spring Garden Waldorf School (Nursery Preschool)

Spring Garden Waldorf School (Preschool / Kindergarten)

Spring Garden Waldorf School (Grades 1–8)

$3,785 – $5,995* (2013-14 school year)

$32,500 – $47,300* (2013-14 school year)

$7,100 (2014-15 school year)

$9,900 (2014-15 school year)

$3,024 – $7,560* (2014-15 school year)

$3,024 – $7,560* (2014-15 school year)

$7,665 (2014-15 school year)

$9,325 (2013-14 school year)

$10,275 (2013-14 school year)

$8,750 (2014-15 school year)

$3,410 – $15,632*

January 26, 12–2 p.m.

April 13, 1 p.m.

January 12, 12–2 pm April 6, 12–2 pm January 12, 12–2 p.m.

April 6, 12–2 p.m.

January 12, 1–3 p.m.

April 13, 1–3 p.m.

January 12, 1–3 p.m.

April 13, 1–3 p.m.

January 12, 1–3 p.m.

April 13, 1–3 p.m.

January 31, October 24, Oct. 30 (middle school), Nov. 13 (high school)

Contact school for details Jan 26, 28; Feb 23, 25; March 16, 20; April 6, 9

(2014-15 school year)

Begins in March, contact school for details

$24,610

January 31

(2013-14 school year)

January 26, 12–2 p.m.

$8,739 – $18,418* (2013-14 school year)

Mon-Fri., 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.

Some Saturdays

*Fees vary depending on student’s grade, parishioner / non-parishioner, number of children from the same family attending the school.

School Contact The Academies

888-295-4673 the-academies.com Akron Public Schools

330-761-1661 www.akronschools.com Archbishop Hoban High School

330-773-6658 www.hoban.org Canton Country Day School

330-453-8279 cantoncountryday.org 44

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Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy

Our Lady of The Elms Middle and High School

330-929-0575 www.cvcaroyals.org

330-867-0880 theelms.org

Life Skills High School

St. Hilary School

866-821-2419 www.lifeskillshs.com

330-867-8720 www.st-hilaryschool.org

The Lippman School

St. Sebastian Catholic School

330-836-0419 www.thelippmanschool.org

330-836-9107 www.stsebastian.org/school

OHDELA

Spring Garden Waldorf School

877-4MY-DELA (877-469-3352) thinkdela.com/home

330-666-0574 sgws.org

The University of Akron, Akron

330-972-7111 www.uakron.edu Walsh Jesuit High School

800.686.4694 www.walshjesuit.org Walsh University

800.362.9846 www.walsh.edu Western Reserve Academy

330-650-4400 www.wra.net

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continued from page 43

The City of Akron is partnering with us for the construction of 29 (and counting) new Community Learning Centers. We have redesigned our buildings to make learning more fun and technology more expandable (and to make our energy bills more affordable.)

APS has redefined its role, and we’ve become the place to go for dual degrees in high school and college; 33 career education programs, from veterinary tech to masonry, hospitality management and more; the accelerated learning of International Baccalaureate; visual and performing arts; STEM learning, top-notch preschool and more.

Our board is incisive, and our teachers are highly qualified and dedicated. The support staff at APS is terrific at managing dozens of facilities that cover more than 60 square miles.

Public education is a complicated recipe, but we love the planning, the preparation and always the outcome. / David W. James is the superintendent of the Akron Public Schools.

Comments? Email them to managing editor Abby Cymerman at acymerman@bakermediagroup.com.

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guide instruction in the schools. In addition, the Academies conduct an annual survey of parents and students to assist in decision making to meet needs expressed by both students and parents.

Life Skills High School mission statement

Life Skills High School is Education that fits your life! Life Skills High School is a community school that gives you one-on-one attention and flexible scheduling to help you earn your free high school diploma and achieve future success.

What kind of educational advantage do your schools provide to your students?

Life Skills High Schools are located in Ohio, Arizona and Colorado and offer an alternative high school education to students between the ages of 16 and 21. Class hours and curriculum are designed to be flexible enough to fit each student’s needs through the use of 24/7 anywhere access. In addition, our blended learning model utilizes computer-based instruction supported by highly qualified teachers available for one-on-one attention. Life Skills High School combines academic instruction, life skills preparation and work place training.

Students graduate as soon as they complete their high school requirements. Students literally graduate any day of the year.

How do your schools measure educational outcomes to ensure they’re successfully serving their students?

Life Skills High School uses ongoing assessments to measure educational outcomes in order to ensure that we are successfully serving all students. An individualized education plan is developed for each student. Students work with highly qualified teachers to design their personalized daily course load and daily schedule. 24/7 anywhere access to coursework enables our students to design their school schedule around their other important life events such as work and family obligations. In addition, Life Skills High Schools conduct an annual survey of parents and students to assist in decision making to meet needs expressed by both students and parents.

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St. Sebastian Catholic School, Akron School’s mission statement

St. Sebastian School is dedicated to Christ, and committed to excellence in education.

We honor the Catholic traditions of the past, work to develop our talents today and prepare for Christian service in the future.

How does your school address the individual needs of its students?

All students at St. Sebastian Parish School are enriched every day because our curriculum exceeds the set standards for an elementary school. For students who may struggle in the classroom, the school has full time aides for kindergarten through third grade, a guidance counselor, speech counselor and several tutors that work with students in all grades. There are also several extracurricular activities that students can become involved in such as Power of the Pen, Science Olympiad, Athletics, Student Council, School Band and Drama Club. Most importantly, the teaching staff at St. Sebastian Parish School encourages every student to work to his or her full potential and succeed.

How do you incorporate religion classes into the academic curriculum?

A wonderful feature of St. Sebastian Parish School is the religious formation of our students. Our primary mission is to develop the Catholic faith of our students, which will lead them to encounter God within all of the different areas of our curriculum as well as throughout their daily lives. Our faith formation is maintained through a complete graded course of study in religion, which is taught in kindergarten through eighth grade and covers the basic beliefs, traditions and practices of our Catholic faith. We also offer Sacramental preparation in second and eighth grades.

Archbishop Hoban High School, Akron School’s mission statement

We are a Catholic high school in the Holy Cross tradition. We celebrate our diversity, value each person, and welcome one another with the hospitality of Christ.

As a family of learners rooted in gospel values, we empower each other to grow spiritually, mature intellectually, and reach out in service to others.

Within an orderly learning environment, we are committed to challenging each student in both heart and mind to become a compassionate individual, a lifelong learner, and a responsible steward of God’s creation.

What role does faith-based education play in the lives of your students?

Hoban’s mission statement reminds us that we are a Catholic high school in the Holy Cross tradition. The Holy Cross tradition is a balanced, integrated, holistic approach to education where knowledge and faith converge. Blessed Basil Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, writes in Christian Education (1856), “Knowledge itself does not bring about positive values, but positive values do influence knowledge and put it to a good use.” We teach in order to nurture people who comprehend reality from the perspective of faith. Education is about wholeness and relationships: the relationship between mind and heart, between scholarship and service, between students and teachers, between schools and society. A Hoban education fosters the values, attitudes and behaviors necessary for individuals to make a real difference in the world.

The University of Akron, Akron School’s mission statement

Our mission is to ensure student success and leverage our region’s unique assets in the creation of knowledge and application of research that benefits humankind.

Our vision is to set a new standard for public research universities in adding economic value and enriching lives.

How does your university prepare students to be successful in the workplace?

The University of Akron prepares students through real-life relevant learning opportunities. Students engage in co-ops, internships, practicums, research, clinicals, and student teaching within all academic programs. A primary example is the UA College of Engineering’s

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100-year old Co-op Program, which gets results. Ninety-two percent of qualified students participate in the engineering co-op program. In addition, more than 55 percent of UA engineering students who work in a co-op accept full-time positions from their co-op employers - some with great signing bonuses and near-six-figure salaries - as they approach graduation. As of December 2013, more than 25 of these engineering students who will graduate in May 2014 already have full-time jobs upon graduation.

Relevant learning is without a doubt the most important part of a student’s education and training. The enhancement of student learning through practical hands-on experience affords our students career clarity, development of personal maturity, employment capabilities, and, in many cases, a wage. We want our students to leave our university with a great foundation: a degree and career readiness.

How should high school students prepare themselves to enter a university environment?

It’s important for students to start aspiring early to be a college student, visualizing for yourself that runway to success. Take challenging coursework, and don’t limit yourself to what the high school requires, especially as it relates to science and math. The better the student you are, the better the scholarships you can apply for and receive. Apply for scholarships early.

Take advantage of Ohio’s free Postsecondary Education Option (PSEO) Program which can give you a head start on college, but can save you money as well. Make college placement tests a part of your high school priority timeline, and take them early. Those tests include the ACT, SAT, the Plan, PSAT and Explore tests. You should visit as many college campuses as possible so you can decide early what type of school is the best fit for you.

Finally, get involved in diverse activities in your high school and community to insure you become familiar with the global higher education environment you’ll be a part of the moment you step on campus. College is an environment where people are going to be very different from you.

Comments?

Email them to managing editor Abby Cymerman at acymerman@ bakermediagroup.com.

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wedding finances

by Abby Cymerman

Dressed In White (& In The Red) / Don’t let your upcoming nuptials put you in debt. /

With all the websites, magazines and reality shows aimed at newly-engaged couples, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with your wedding plans. And although these resources often suggest “must-haves” for your Big Day, releasing live doves at the end of your ceremony may not fit into your budget.

So step away from the bubble machine, Akron Life is here to save your special day (and your bank account.)

We’ve asked several local wedding experts to share their money-savviest tips because, when it’s all said and done, you’ll still need to afford a mortgage for the home to hold all the toasters you’re going to get.

Budget Bling If you didn’t happen to inherit an engagement ring to use when you pop the question, and your two months’ salary won’t buy a glimpse of that sparkler at the mall, you’ll be happy to hear there’s a new trend that’s helping thrifty couples save a lot of money.

Pre-owned engagement rings are becoming popular, and one of the largest U.S. retailers of these rings is called Have You Seen the Ring.

According to Have You Seen the Ring: •

•

•

In 2010, $9.6 billion was spent on wedding and engagement rings in the U.S. The Association of Bridal Consultants estimates that, on average, bridesand grooms-to-be will spend $4,500 on their engagement ring and wedding band.

On average, one in four grooms spent more on an engagement ring than they originally budgeted.

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In addition to providing reasonably priced rings, niche retailers that sell pre-owned engagement rings have become a trustworthy source of money. Rather than go to a pawn shop to sell their rings, today’s divorcees are looking at sellers of pre-owned rings so they can get more bang for their buck. Sellers on Have You Seen the Ring can receive up to 60 percent more money than they would if they went to a pawn shop, local jeweler or online auction.

Behind the Lens Shane Wynn, owner of Shane Wynn Photography, says hiring an experienced wedding photographer whose style speaks to you is of utmost importance the day of the wedding.

“There’s no way to re-enact the actual emotions and events of the day,” she says. “Capturing them requires a varied skill set that is specialized for the industry.”

Emily and John McGroarty at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Shane Wynn Photography

Having your snap-happy uncle do the job for free is a common mistake. But, Wynn says, couples can cut corners by booking the photographer for the ceremony and formals, and then ask several friends or family members to take candid shots at the reception.

“Granted, professional shots are preferable because receptions can be darkly lit and fast paced, but I think the ‘mantel’ shots are generally the formals,” she says. “It’s a good compromise and a smarter one than paying less for a photographer you don’t love and not having any images that are truly flattering.”

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Another way to cut costs is to find a photographer who will sell the rights to the images and avoid pricey up-selling on the back end.

Wynn says many of her clients purchase the CD of wedding photographs so they always have the images, and then they contact her on their first anniversary to create an album.

“It offsets some of the cost after recouping from the pricey wedding,” she adds.

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Dessert Dilemmas Shawna Rollheiser, owner of A Cupcake A Day, says when couples are planning the elegant desserts for their wedding reception, they often select only the premium and embellished selections.

But, she adds, “It’s important to remember that sometimes simple is better, and you don’t have to go way over the top.”

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Couples on a budget should consider Rollheiser’s words of wisdom: “Stick to the cupcakes and forget the rest!”

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” she says.

(See wedding finances, pg 50)

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W bridal

(wedding finances cont. from pg 49)

Venue Advice

What’s In and

Stan Hywet Hall and Garden’s Donna Spiegler says the beautiful gardens and historic Tudor Revival Manor House in Akron provide a timeless backdrop for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

What’s Out

Spiegler and her rentals team at Stan Hywet have some advice for couples during the wedding planning phase:

You don’t need a champagne fountain if it’s not your thing.

Make a list of your priorities for your wedding. Decide what’s important to you on your special day.

Do your research on vendors. Learn about florists, photographers and musicians, and you’ll become an educated consumer.

Gone are the days of huge guest lists, she says, with most couples keeping their numbers under 200. And rather than hauling out tons of bridal magazines for the couples to peruse, Benson says many of her clients have brought her ideas they found on Pinterest, and she’s adapted them to suit their needs and their budget.

Start your planning early. It’s less stressful and will make wedding planning less overwhelming.

Catering Know-How Because catering is often the biggest portion of the overall wedding budget, Bob Pacanovsky, owner of Robert J. – Events and Catering, suggests that couples sit down together and discuss how much they want to spend on their reception and how important the quality of food is to them.

“Some may not have an exact figure, but they should have a range in mind,” he says.

“Once they have a range, we can better direct them to one of our current menus or customize one for them to fit both their budget and their taste preferences.”

Pacanovsky says it’s also very important that couples ask their caterer for a complete menu proposal showing all the pricing, including sales tax and the service or staffing charge. Couples should know what other services cost ahead of time, like rental items such as specialty linens, glass barware and catering items.

“We find that with this approach, couples don’t feel that they are being ‘nickel and dimed’ with every small charge that a caterer forgot to tell them about,” he says.

Comments?

E-mail them to managing editor Abby Cymerman at acymerman@bakermediagroup.com.

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Eileen Benson, owner of Bridal Consulting by Eileen, says today’s couples are celebrating their wedding in their own way.

Benson says brides- and grooms-to-be are now focusing on the comfort of their guests and creating lounge areas for guests to enjoy during the reception. Rather than purchasing costly favors and ice sculptures, they’re hiring lighting experts to spotlight centerpieces, project the couple’s new monogram on the dance floor or use gobo templates to create light patterns on the venue’s walls or ceiling.

Overhead photographs and videos of the ceremony and reception can now be captured using an aerial drone camera, and tech-savvy couples are creating wedding websites that include every detail, from a schedule and who’s who bio of each person in the wedding party, to hotel directions and their gift registry. [Editor’s Note: How about a link to Akron Life’s Agenda calendar of events or Good Eats restaurant guide for out-of-town guests?]

Guests who can’t dance or are “still single” won’t have to suffer through the obligatory bridal party dance and the garter/bouquet toss. Now, couples are choosing a simple mother/son dance or father/daughter dance — or, if the bridal party has plenty of rhythm (and a lack of inhibitions), they’re surprising their guests with a rehearsed flash mob dance.

Rather than asking attendees to sign a guest book, several of Benson’s clients have purchased postcards featuring places meaningful to the couple: the college town

january 2014

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by Abby Cymerman

for 2014

Weddings where they met or a city they visited together. During the reception, guests fill out the cards, and when the couple returns from their honeymoon, their parents mail out the postcards five or 10 at a time so the newlyweds continue to get well-wishes from their family and friends.

And, of course, the growing popularity of food trucks has made its way into the wedding arena. Benson says many couples hire a food truck to stop by the reception and provide late-night snacks for guests who have been dancing and enjoying the open bar.

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116 NORTH MAIN STREET • HUDSON 330.650.9011 • WWW.JEWELRYARTHUDSON.COM

/ Managing editor Abby Cymerman can vouch for Eileen Benson’s expertise and know-how. Eileen helped plan her wedding 11 years ago.

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by Caitlyn Callahan

To Have and To Hold Three local couples share their favorite wedding memories.

Photos by Shane Wynn Photography “I Dos”: Sept. 21, 2013. The wedding ceremony took place at St. John St. Paul, and the reception was at Portage Country Club.

Highlight of the day: The pastor had just pronounced us as man and wife. We walked down the aisle and escaped for a few minutes into a secluded hallway. We were able to just smile, relax and let what had just happened wash over us. We laughed and took a few “selfies” to post to Instagram.

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Biggest hit: We hired a barista to make custom lattes and espresso drinks, and we had lounge areas set up with couches where our guests could congregate. Outside, we set up a fire pit and a s’mores bar. People are still telling us how much they enjoyed it.

The dress: The first time I saw it, I was immediately drawn to it, and once I tried it on, I actually felt like a bride. It was ivory taffeta with a draped bodice, natural waist and ball gown skirt with hand-pleated floral detail.

Then there was the price tag …ouch. But there were members of both our families that knew the importance of loving your wedding dress. With their help, I was able to get the dress of my dreams.

If the shoe fits: I love sandals, so obviously I had to wear sandals on my wedding day. They were a light beige color with a rhinestone bow. I even had a sixpence coin from England fastened onto my left sandal for good luck.

First dance: We chose “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” for our first dance. We both love all things Disney, and it was just one of those songs that jumped out at us.

Kids at the wedding (cute or chaos?): Both! We did have kids at our wedding, and although they were cute to begin with, as the night wore on the cuteness melted into chaos. It helps to have activities that will keep them occupied. So many people that are important in both of our lives have kids,

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Danielle and Bobby Myers

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and many of the kids are also very special to us. We wanted to share our day with them too.

couldn’t have been more wrong. Even the smallest tasks wound up taking much longer than we had anticipated.

The cake: I work at a bakery and love all things sweet so naturally, I couldn’t decide on just one flavor or design. In the end we had five cakes: chocolate with peanut butter, white with raspberry, carrot with cream cheese, almond with amaretto and banana with ganache, and all were frosted in various shades of ivory buttercream. The designs included ruffles, spackling, sprinkles, silver leaf and fondant flowers.

Words of advice: Don’t try to do too much. It’s okay to save a few bucks by doing some things yourself. Don’t underestimate the importance of great pictures.

Also, it’s so important in the days leading up to your wedding to stop and reflect on why you’re marrying the person you are marrying. It’s so easy to get bogged down with tasks that you might begin to forget what’s most important. Looking back, our wedding was special but it was just a day.

What’s most important to us is our commitment to one another and our lives together.

Bridezilla moment: [The hardest part in planning the wedding was] time management. There are so many small tasks that we convinced ourselves would only take a short while to accomplish, but we

A wedding guest has fun at the photo booth.

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Nicole and Aaron Rose

Photos by Nathan Migal, Imagen Photography “I Dos”: Sept. 21, 2013. The wedding ceremony took place at Church of the Savior in Canton, and the reception was at the Canton Cultural Center for the Arts.

Highlight of the day: It rained all morning long but during the ceremony, the clouds parted, and by the time we walked up the aisle together and out of the church, it was the perfect, sunny day.

Bridezilla moment: Planning from a distance. We both grew up in Canton, but live in Houston, Texas. We were very lucky to 54

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have supportive family members who did all of the work that had to be done in Ohio.

Biggest hit: Aaron made the decision early on that he wanted to have a band at the reception, and it was the best thing we could have done. We hired the Grand Avenue Band, and they were incredibly talented!

The dress: My dress was from Kenneth Winston. I found it in Houston but purchased it at Henri’s Cloud Nine in Minerva. I tried on tons of dresses in every style, but when I put this one on, I really felt like a bride. It had a sweetheart neckline and lace all along the bottom.

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If the shoe fits: I loved my wedding shoes and never wanted to take them off.

First dance: Our first dance was to Michael Bublé’s “Hold On.” We’re both fans of his songs and just felt that it fit our personality as a couple.

Kids at the wedding (cute or chaos?): There was never a question about having kids at the wedding. We love our family and wanted everyone to be involved. They all had a lot of fun dancing!

The cake: Our cake had many tiers with multiple flavors, but all had a buttercream icing. Half of the tiers were decorated with rosettes [Roses were our wedding theme] and the other half were sprinkled sugar. The cake was made by “& Eat It Too” from Canton.

The favors: Our favors were chocolate roses.

Aaron’s mother Melissa made all of them and did a fabulous job! They were wrapped in ribbon with our names and the wedding date on them.

Words of advice: Do not be afraid of DIY, if you have the time. You can save a lot of money and come out of the experience with a brand new set of skills. Also, details matter: People remember the little extra things that you do.

What made your day unique: There were many details that added to the day. At the ceremony, Aaron’s talented cousins sang beautifully. At cocktail hour, we had a special drink created by Aaron’s sister, Adrianne Rose.

At the reception, our cookie table was four tables long, and our friends and family members all contributed to make it special. My sister and maid of honor Beth Little and father Dana Little both gave lovely toasts that made me cry. The entire day was very special.

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Emily and John McGroarty

Photos by Shane Wynn Photography “I Dos”: Sept. 14, 2013. The wedding ceremony took place at St. Barnabas Church, and the reception was at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens.

Highlight of the day: Simply having the people we love most together with us to celebrate our big day.

Bridezilla moment: [The hardest part], I think, was figuring out the vendors. Once that was set, it was pretty smooth.

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Biggest hit: One thing that was unique about our wedding was that one of my bridesmaids, Katie Wojno, gave a hula-hoop interpretative dance performance at the reception. It was beautiful, and the guests really enjoyed the entertainment.

The dress: I wore a vintage lace, sweetheart-cut dress.

If the shoe fits: My bridesmaids and I all wore Tom’s (shoes) for the occasion; we wanted happy feet.

The vows: We used traditional vows that the church provided.

First dance: We danced to a Grateful Dead song, “They Love Each Other.”

Kids at the wedding (cute or chaos?): The kids were very cute. We had a ringbearer and flower girl so they were excited to be there and got the other kids on board.

The cake: We did something a little different than the traditional wedding cake. We

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decided to have petit fours on a tier like a cake.

As a child I always loved petit fours, and since I was little, my mom wanted to do that for my wedding cake.

The favors: One of my best friends died a couple years back, and a foundation was set up in her name. In lieu of a wedding favor, we decided to donate money to her foundation.

What made your day unique: Our big day was unique because it was simply a celebration. It was very laid back, comfortable

and fun for me, John and our guests. The fact that we didn’t get held up on all the silly details of a wedding — and just made the day a true celebration — made our big day extra special. / Writer Caitlyn Callahan is a senior at KSU working on her bachelor’s in magazine journalism.

Comments?

E-mail them to managing editor Abby Cymerman at acymerman@bakermediagroup.com w w w. akronlife.com

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good eats

restaurants

B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner A Alcohol available T Takeout available V Valet parking $ average entrees less than $6 $$ average entrees between $6-$10 $$$ average entrees between $11-$16 $$$$ average entrees are $17 or higher Information subject to change.

Please call ahead to verify location, hours and events.

/ notable food & drink / Go to akronlife.com to view more area restaurants & events.

Acoustix Cafe An upscale live music club with sandwiches named after famous guitarists. Try the “Joe Satriani” Pastrami with a starter of deep-fried corn-on-the-cob. Open Mon.-Sat. 662 Canton Rd. (Akron) 234-678-6466 $$ L, D, A, T Akron Family Restaurant Neighborhood meeting place, homey atmosphere, reasonable prices. 250 W. Market St. (Akron: Downtown) 330376-0600 $ B, L, D, T Aladdin’s Eatery Outdoor dining area, tasty Mediterranean cuisine. 782 W. Market St. (Highland Square) 330-535-0110; First and Main streets (Hudson) 330-656-0560; 3895 Medina Rd. (Fairlawn) 330-665-3102 $$$ L, D, A, T Al’s Corner Restaurant Old-world comfort food served cafeteria style. Cabbage rolls and sausage made locally are a favorite. 545 W. Tuscarawas Ave. (Barberton) 330-753-7216 $$ L, T Angello’s Historic building with an Italian neighborhood feel. 4905 Tuscarawas St. W. (Canton) 330-477-1486 $$ L, D, A, T Arcadia Grille Authentic Italian cuisine with pasta and chops. Breakfast served Sat. and Sun. A local favorite for more than 85 years. 321 Court Ave. (Canton: Downtown) 330-454-6055 $$ B, L, D, A Arnie’s West Branch Steak House Casual dining, specializing in steak, ribs and seafood. Closed Sun. 5343 State Route 14 (Ravenna) 330-297-1717 $$$ D, A, T B Loco Mexican Grill Tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, salads, quesadillas, monster nachos and monster fries. Plus Mexican cannoli and elephant ears. 7216 Fulton Dr. NW (Canton) 330-830-5020 $ L, D, T Babushka’s Kitchen Old World food with a Polish influence. Handmade fresh kielbasa, stuffed cabbage, pierogi, paprikash and more. 9199 Olde Eight Rd. (Northfield Center) 330-468-0402 $$ L, D, T Bar145 This Gastropub features bar fare and an extensive menu of burgers made with Niman Ranch beef. 100 E. Erie St. (Kent) 419-593-0073 $$ L, D, A, T Barley House Hot and cold deli sandwiches, gourmet pizzas, soups and more. 222 S. Main St. (Akron) 330-374-0925 $$ L, D, A, T 58

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akronlife

Beau’s Grille Upscale, well-regarded, innovative menu at the Fairlawn Hilton. 3180 W. Market St. (Fairlawn) 330-865-5577 $$$$ L, D, A, T Beau’s on the River Stunning views of the falls with floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary décor. Fusion/eclectic cuisine, lunch buffet and Sunday brunch. Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls, 1989 Front St. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-920-7530 $$$ B, L, D, A, T Belgrade Gardens Famous for fried chicken and home-style cooking. 401 E. State St. (Barberton) 330-745-0113; 3476 Massillon Rd. (Green) 330-8963396 $$$ L, D, A, T Bellacino’s Known for grinders, pizza, pasta and fresh salads. Full bar, patio and banquet room with dance floor. 3657 Fishcreek Rd. (Stow) 330-6783000 $$ L, D, A, T Bender’s Tavern Largest restaurant wine selection in Stark County. Menu features seafood. 137 Court Ave. SW (Canton: Downtown) 330-453-8424 $$$$ L, D, A, T Bennett’s Family Restaurant Comfort food, standard American fare. 13211 Cleveland Ave. NW (Uniontown) 330-699-9291 $ B, L, D, T No credit cards Beside the Point Café Specialty sandwiches, main-event salads, homemade soups and hot kitchen creations at this West Point Market restaurant.

1711 W. Market St. (Akron) 330-864-2151 $$ B, L, D, T Bianca’s Italian Ristorante & Lounge Traditional Italian, juicy steaks and fresh seafood.

4284 Beverly Hills Dr. (Brunswick) 330-225-0927 $$$ L, D, A, T Big Eye Japanese Cuisine and Sushi Bar Menu offers a wide variety of sushi as well as salads, soups, appetizers, cooked entrees and vegan options to suit everyone at your table. Closed on Sundays. 2965 W. Market St. (Fairlawn) 330-8364433 $$$ L, D, A, T The Bistro at Gervasi Vineyard Situated on a 55-acre estate in a renovated historic barn that overlooks a beautiful lake. Serving rustic Italian fare using only fresh and seasonal ingredients. Closed Mon. Open for lunch Sat. and Sun. 1700 55th St. NE (Canton) 330-497-1000 $$$ L, D, A Bistro on Main House-made desserts, hand-cut steaks and fresh pasta. Closed Sun. 1313 W. Main St. (Kent) 330-673-9900 $$$ L, D, A, T Blue Canyon Creative American cuisine in six nature-inspired dining environments. Sunday brunch buffet. 8960 Wilcox Dr. (Twinsburg) 330-486-2583 $$$$ L, D, A, T Blue Door Café and Bakery Sandwiches, quiche, soup, crepes and omelets. Open Wed.-Sun., 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 1970 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330926-9774 $$ B, L, T

Bombay Sitar Fine Indian cuisine. Food is natural and prepared fresh daily. 4633 Belden Village St. NW (North Canton) 330-493-0671 $$ L, D, T Bricco Unique pizza and pasta. 1 W. Exchange St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-475-1600 $$$ L, D, A, T The Burntwood Tavern Owned by the same couple that runs the other Burntwood locations in Rocky River, Brecksville, Chagrin Falls and Solon, this restaurant’s menu features steaks, sliders, hand cut fries, smoked, planked, and wood-grilled food.

2291 Riverfront Pkwy. (Cuyahoga Falls) www. burntwoodtavern.com $$$ L, D, A, T The Cabin Upscale Italian within the Mario’s International Spa and Inn complex. 35 E. Garfield Rd. (Aurora) 330-562-9171 $$$$ B, L, D, A, T Cafe Tandoor Casual atmosphere, Indian cuisine.

Closed Mon. 96 Barrington Town Center (Aurora) 330-562-5334 $$$ L, D, A, T Caffé Gelato Italian coffee drinks, paninis, salads, soups, pizza, desserts and homemade Italian gelato.

Coffee house nights with live entertainment. 506 S. Main St. (North Canton) 330-494-1123 $ B, L, D, T Cajun Dave’s at the Water Street Tavern.

Specializes in Cajun classics, homestyle southern foods, Ohio grass-fed hamburgers and homemade pizza. 138 S. Water St. (Kent) 330-474-0800 $$ L, D, A, T Cana Valley Winery Check out this winery’s 13 varieties. Bring in your own food. Open Wednesday through Saturday. 5665 Waterloo Road (Atwater) 330-596-3017 $ D, A Capri Pizza Pizza, pasta, wings and barbeque ribs.

810 W. Market St. (Highland Square) 330-762-9131 $ L, D, T Casa Del Ranchero Authentic Mexican. Try a 44-ounce jumbo lime margarita, Arroz Con Pollo and flan for dessert. Kids’ menu and vegetarian menu.

562 W. Tuscarawas Ave. (Barberton) 330-753-8494 $$ L, D, A, T Casa Del Rio Mexican dining. 839 High St. (Wadsworth) 330-335-4001 $$ L, D, A, T Cellar 59 Wine Bar & Wine Shop The menu in this renovated 19th century farmhouse features small plates and desserts, as well as bottles of wine and craft beer. Closed Sunday and Monday.

3984 Kent Road (Stow) 330-688-2684 $$$ L, D, A, T Chicken Manor Restaurant Menu includes pasta, seafood, steaks and chops. Kids’ and seniors’ menu. Closed Mon. 8043 Cleveland Ave. NW (North Canton) 330-499-2159 $$ L, D, T China City Traditional Chinese cuisine in an elegant setting. 156 Cherry St. (Kent) 330-673-6566 $$ L, D, A, T China Gourmet Szechuan, Hunan, Mandarin and Cantonese dishes. Known for General Tso’s Chicken.

1971 W. Market St. (Akron: West) 330-867-8838 $$$ L, D, A, T

Chowder House Café Salads, soups, sandwiches and clam chowder. Bring your own wine and beer ($5 corkage fee). Open Sun. for brunch only.

2028 Chestnut Blvd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-794-7102 $$$ L, D, T No credit cards Cilantro Upscale Thai and Japanese, extensive menu, fresh ingredients, hand-selected sushi and no MSG. Eclectic atmosphere. 326 S. Main St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-434-2876 $$$ L, D, A, T Cipriano’s Downtown Casual Italian dining and cocktails. Specialties include veal and pasta dishes. Closed Sun. 161 N. Chestnut St. (Ravenna) 330-298-9773 $$$ L, D, A, T Circle L Steakhouse The new menu offers a wide selection of steak cuts, and the atmosphere provides an upscale, rustic feel. Sunday brunch and live entertainment. 201 Park Centre Drive (Wadsworth) 330-335-7913 $$$$ B, L, D, A Cleats Club Seat Grille This sports pub and grill features burgers, “the official chicken wing of the Cleveland Indians” and the longest happy hour around, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Entertainment at 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 469 College St. (Wadsworth) 330-3345151 $$ L, D, A, T College Coneys and Creamery Located in the former Arctic Squirrel location in Acorn Alley, this shop serves up American comfort food like coney dogs, Cincinnati chili, hand-dipped ice cream in homemade waffle cones, hand-spun shakes and kegged root beer floats. 164 E. Main St. (Kent) 330676-9700 $ L, D, T The Corkscrew Saloon Specializes in fresh seafood, steaks and chops, prepared by executive chef Ryan Marino. Live entertainment Wednesday nights. 811 W. Liberty (Medina) 330-725-0220 $$$$ L, D, A, T Cortabella’s Italian Eatery In addition to a soup, salad and pasta bar, the menu includes seafood, poultry, steak, pizzas and calzones, desserts and a wine list and full bar. 10 Tallmadge Circle (Tallmadge) 330-633-7844 $$ L, D, A, T Crave Creative comfort foods, slightly eccentric with bold tastes served up in a sensational setting. 57 E. Market St. (Akron) 330-253-1234 $$ L, D, A, T, V Cristo’s House of Pasta Pizza, manicotti and stuffed shells are a few of the favorites. Closed Sun. 1275 Norton Ave. (Norton) 330-825-1994 $$ L, D, A, T Crooked River Grill Full-service catering and restaurant. Ribs are a specialty. 403 N. Main St. (Munroe Falls) 330-688-9911 $$$ L, D, A, T The Crush House at Gervasi Vineyard A modern industrial building that houses a state-ofthe-art winery facility, wine bar and eatery. Perfect for a fun lunch, casual dinner or late snack. Closed Sun. Opens 11 a.m., Mon.-Sat. 1700 55th St. NE (Canton) 330-497-1000 $$ L, D, A

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untapped

Unibroue

La Fin Du Monde

by Aaron Fowler

For many, the combination of beer and Canada often result in two names: Molson and Labatt. Thankfully for us all, our neighbors to the North also house one of the best craft breweries readily available throughout Ohio, Unibroue.

Pronounced Uni-brew, this often overlooked and under-appreciated brewery is located in Chambly, Quebec, Canada and was founded by Serge Racine and Quebec native André Dion.

Unibroue made history by becoming the first North American beer maker to use a brewing method inspired by the two-centuries-old tradition developed by Trappist monks in Europe. Though the brewery officially began in the early ‘90s, it wasn’t until 1994 that the company made its way to the states.

Quite possibly their most well-known beer, La Fin Du Monde, which translates to “End of the World,” is a triple fermented golden ale with complex layers of fruit, spices and caramel. This tripel can be kept in a cool dark place and aged like a fine wine. It is said that an aging of three to five years is most ideal to unleash the perfect smoothness of its flavors, however don’t be afraid to crack this one open the minute you get it.

With over 180 international medals to its name, Unibroue is among the most highly awarded breweries in North America and should be included in your must-seek-out brews for the start of the new year.

Unibroue’s La Fin Du Monde, as well as other releases such as Trois Pistoles, Éphémère Blanche De Chambly and Maudite, can be found in both four-packs for $10.99 and 750ml single bottles for $7.99. They can usually be found at Giant Eagle, Acme Fresh Markets, Fisher’s Foods, West Point Market, 101 Bottles of Beer and other fine craft beer establishments throughout Northeast Ohio. / Writer Aaron Fowler is a bit of a craft beer geek. Though he may deem himself a bona fide hophead, he never passes up a well-defined stout.

D’Agneses Tomato Grill Wide array of entrée choices. Sunday brunch. Catering available. 106 First St. (Hudson) 330-3423771 $$$$ L, D, A, T D’Agneses at White Pond Crossing Northern and Southern Italian cuisine made in-house with fresh ingredients.

Sunday brunch only. 566 White Pond Dr. (Akron) 234-678-3612 $$$$ L, D, A, T Danny Boy’s If you love the Rat Pack, you’ll love this menu. Try the Old Blue Eyes Mac & Cheese, the Hammy Davis Jr. Melt or The Chairman of the Board Calzone. 6081 Dressler Rd. N (Canton: Belden Village) 330-499-3726 $$$ L, D, A, T Dave’s Cosmic Subs Sign the walls at this sub stop, featuring psychedelic and music memorabilia decor. 186 N. Main St. (Hudson) 330-342-5666; 215 S. Water St. (Kent) 330346-0620 $$ L, D, T

Dave’s Tip Top Pleasant atmosphere with home-style menu. Perfect for family dining.

3428 Darrow Rd. (Stow) 330-688-3171 $$ B, L, D, T David B’s Grill & Pub Known locally for excellent service and a variety of foods. 3900 Medina Rd. (Montrose) 330-666-1191; 526 W. Tuscarawas Ave. (Barberton) 330-7457677 $$ L, D, A, T D.B.A. (Dante Boccuzzi Akron) Modern American food in a rock ‘n’ roll palace setting. Several menu items can be ordered in varied portion sizes, based on your appetite.

Vegetarian and vegan options available. Order a drink and relax on the restaurant’s spacious patio. 21 Furnace St. (Akron) 330-375-5050 $$$$ D, A, T, V Delanie’s Neighborhood Grille Comfort food, sporty atmosphere and full bar. 67 West Ave. (Tallmadge) 330-630-2888 $$$ L, D, A, T

Desert Inn Family-owned since 1970.

Specializes in “Family Style” shish kabobs.

204 12th St. NW (Canton) 330-456-1766 $$$$ L, D, A Diamond Deli A local favorite with fat sandwiches and fresh soups. 378 S. Main St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-762-5877 $ B, L, A, D (Saturdays only), T Diamond Grille Akron’s oldest steakhouse, authentic 1950s-style décor. All steaks are hand-cut, and seafood is flown in fresh. 77 W. Market St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-253-0041 $$$$ L, D, A No credit cards Dontino’s Restaurant Home-style Italian cuisine, popular community meeting place. 555 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave. (Akron: North) 330-928-9530 $$ L, D, A, T Downtown 140 Executive Chef Richard E. Bennett IV calls his food style “minimalist new American.” He uses as few ingredients as possible to make an impact and keep clean

flavors on the menu at this fine-dining establishment. 140 N. Main St. (Hudson) 330-6552940 $$$$ L, D, A Eadie’s Fish House Bar & Grill All kinds of seafood, including fried alligator bites, lobster tail and homemade lump crabcakes. 6616 Wise Ave. NW (North Canton) 330-4944000 $$$ L, D, A, T Eddy’s Deli and Restaurant Try the banana-split waffle, a corned beef sandwich or chicken paprikash. 2655 Oakwood Dr. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-928-7489; 4581 Kent Rd. (Stow) 330-3460551 $$ B, L, D, T Edgar’s Serves a variety of entrées, such as chargrilled grouper. Homemade soups, salads and starters. 530 Nome Ave. at Good Park Golf Course (Akron) 330-869-3000 $$$ L, D, A, T El Campesino Authentic Mexican cuisine. 4360 Kent Rd. (Stow) 330-686-5561; 9169 State Route 14 (Streetsboro) 330-626-9777; 4048 Lincolnway E. (Massillon) 330477-8731 $$ L, D, A, T El Fogon Mexican Grill Traditional Mexican fare from the owner of El Campesino in Canton and Perry Township.

Full bar and weekly margarita specials. Open 7 days. 1080 Interstate Pkwy. (Green) 330644-7700 $$ L, D, A, T El Rincon Authentic Mexican cuisine. 1485 S. Arlington St. (Akron: South) 330-785-3724; 720 S. Main St. (North Canton) 330-497-2229 $$ L, D, A, T The Eye Opener Diner-style menu features jams and jellies from Crooked River Herb Farm.

Upscale décor includes photos of historic Akron. 1688 W. Market St. (Akron) 330-867-1114 $$ B, L, D, T The Falls Deli Under new ownership of Lisa and Chip Thayer. Menu includes salads, subs, paninis, as well as corned beef and brisket sandwiches.

Closed Sunday. 2625 Bailey Road (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-9233500 $ L, D, T Farmer Boy Restaurant House specialties include Greek souvlaki, broaster chicken and delicious desserts. 1324 Canton Rd. (Akron: East) 330-784-4052 $$ B, L, D, T The Fat Bob Grill Housed in The American Legion building, this greasy spoon provides big portions at low prices. Burgers, pizza and salads. Chef David Tate also offers homecooked meals for four for only $25. Pickup or delivery only. 783 W. Market St. (Akron: Highland Square) 330926-7919 $$ B, L, D, T

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Fiore’s Italian Steakhouse Steaks, fish, pizza and Italian classics, like smoked mozzarella ravioli.

Features a fast $5 lunch menu and patio seating. 85 W. Montrose Ave. (Copley Township) $$$ B, L, D, A, T Firehouse Grill & Pub Watch sports and enjoy steaks and buffalo wings. 1677 E. Market St. (Akron: East) 330733-6279; 2437 Canton Rd. (Akron) 330-699-3616; 4809 S. Prospect St. (Rootstown) 330-325-0706; 76 West Ave. (Tallmadge) 330-634-9967 $$ L, D, A Fisher’s Café & Pub American cuisine. 1607 Main St. (Peninsula) 330-657-2651 $$ L, D, A, T Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Aged beef, chops, fresh seafood, salad and more than 100 wines by the glass. 4000 Medina Rd. (Akron) 330-6705200 $$$$ D, A, T Flip Side Gourmet, Ohio-raised beef burgers with chef-crafted condiments, toppings and sides; free-range organic chicken breast sandwiches; and market fresh salads. Craft beer on tap.

49 Village Way (Hudson) 330655-3547 $$ L, D, A, T Franklin Square Deli Quality sandwich shop with an auto-racing theme. 108 S. Water St. (Kent) 330-673-2942 $$ B, L, D, T Fred’s Diner Well-known North Hill stop for breakfast and lunch. 930 Home Ave. (Akron: North) 330-535-3733 $ B, L, T The French Coffee Shop French cuisine at reasonable prices. French onion soup, chicken crepes with béchamel sauce, cinnamon-sugar dessert crepes. Closed Sun., Mon. 1911 Bailey Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330923-3987 $$ L, D, T Fresco Mexican Grill and Salsa Bar A new Mexican cuisine experience in the Kent area. Big burritos, tacos, warm soups, quesadillas and more. Known for its beer selection and extensive salsa bar. 100 E. Erie St. (Kent) 330677-2588 $$ L, D, A, T The Galaxy Restaurant Diverse selection of dishes in a creative building. Fantastic desserts. 201 Park Centre Dr. (Wadsworth) 330-334-3663 $$$ B, L, D, A, T Garretts Mill Breakfast items, sandwiches, soup and homemade ice cream. 4226 Hudson Dr. (Stow) 330-9261344 $$ B, L, T

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Gasoline Alley Eclectic menu featuring pizza, salads, sandwiches and sauerkraut balls. 870 N. ClevelandMassillon Rd. (Bath) 330-6662670 $$$ L, D, A, T Gas Pump Bar & Grille Fresh homemade food at a reasonable price. Try their specialty hot dogs. Kids’ menu and daily specials. Closed Sunday. 2215 E. Waterloo Road (Akron) 330-794-2222 $$ L, D, A, T Geisen Haus Generous portions, great beer selection.

6955 Promway Ave. NW (North Canton) 330-499-9116 $$$ L, D, A, T Golden Dragon Chinese fare. Also offers traditional Japanese cooking and sushi.

1634 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-929-1109 $$ L, D, A, T Green Diamond Grille & Pub Upscale dining without upscale pricing.

Specializes in steaks, chops, baby back ribs and seafood. 125 Second St. (Barberton) 330745-1900 $$$ L, D, A, T The Grill Room at Martin University Center Casual upscale, sandwiches, salads and entrées.

105 Fir Hill (Akron: Downtown) 330-972-7711 $$ L, A, T Grinders Above & Beyond Family restaurant.

Grinders, burgers, dinners, appetizers, homemade soups and pies. 1671 N. Main St. (North Canton) 330-497-4800; 3114 Whipple Ave. (Canton) 330-477-5411; 1212 Maple (Hartville) 330-587-4280; 1820 W. State St. (Alliance) 330-821-6665; 404 E. Lincoln Way (Minerva) 330-868-7824; 500 W. Main St. (Louisville) 330875-9700 $ B, L, D, A, T Gus’ Chalet A North Hill institution, popular meeting place for Akron area politicos.

Serves variety of dishes, from Greek favorites to standard American fare. 938 E. Tallmadge Ave. (Akron: North) 330-6332322 $$$ L, D, A, T Hattie’s Café & Gifts Training and vocational site for people with disabilities. Features coffee, homemade pastries, ice cream, soups, salads and sandwiches. 164 N. Main St. (Hudson) 330-655-0044; 520 S. Main St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-535-1779; 60 S. High St. (at Akron Library) 330-7620853; 166 S. High St. (at Akron municipal building) 330-2520556; 1 S. High St. (at Akron Art Museum) 330-376-9186 $ B, L, D, T

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Henry Wahner’s Restaurant An old favorite across from KSU. Complete German menu. German-style bar with beers served in ice-cold steins. 1609 E. Main St. (Kent) 330-678-4055 $$$$ D, A, T No credit cards Hibachi Japan Steak House Japanese Hibachistyle cooking, great steak and sushi. 2251 Front St. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-928-3333 $$$ L, D, A, T Hopocan Gardens Barberton-style chicken. 4396 W. Hopocan Ave. (Barberton) 330-825-9923 $$ L, D, A, T No credit cards House of Hunan Common favorites to spicy specialties.

Oriental décor. 12 E. Exchange St. (Akron: Downtown) 330253-1888; 2717 W. Market St. (Fairlawn Town Centre) 330-864-8201; 18 Public Square (Medina) 330-722-1899 $$ L, D, A, T Hudson’s Restaurant Neighborhood restaurant and bar serving fresh, chefdriven dishes. Family-friendly atmosphere. 80 N. Main St. (Hudson) 330-650-1955; 3900 Medina Rd. (Akron: West) 330666-7777 $$ B, L, D, A, T Hyde Park Grille New Yorkstyle upscale steakhouse. 4073 Medina Rd. (Montrose) 330670-6303 $$$$ D, A, T, V Ido Bar & Grill Home of the beloved Ido Burger. An Akron tradition since World War II. 1537 S. Main St. (Akron: South) 330-773-1724 $$$ L, D, A, T Inferno Gourmet Burger Bar Build your perfect fire-grilled burger with a variety of meat, buns, cheeses and toppings. Also custom hot dogs, milkshakes and root beer floats. 1100 N. Court St. (Medina) 330-764-4060 $$ L, D, A, T Istocki’s Shish Kebob House Souvlaki, gyros, salads and grilled entrees. Homemade baklava, cheesecake roll and cinnamon pita with icing.

77 Westgate Circle (Akron: Wallhaven) 330-869-2550. $$ L, D, A, T Ivan’s Diner Menu includes sandwiches, burgers, subs and salads. Open Mon.-Sat. 2927 W. Market St. (Akron) 330-8363553 $$ L, T Jimmy Bigg’s Grille Burgers, Italian subs, Reubens, wings, Philly cheese steak, BLTs, salads, hand-breaded onion rings and more. 1927 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-929-2444 $$ L, D, A, T

akronlife

small bite

by Abby Cymerman

The Spice of Life A local solution for home cooks >> Have you ever wanted to try a recipe but didn’t have za’atar seasoning or garam masala spice? Maybe you didn’t want to invest in a big jar of these spices until you knew if the flavors perked your family’s taste buds?

Enter Claire’s Garden Florist and Market, 3281 Barber Road, in Norton. This nonprofit, volunteer-driven floral shop is also home to a wide selection of gluten-free products, bulk items, flours, beans, dried fruits and veggies and more.

Owner Julie Miller understands the dilemma faced by home cooks and prices these items low, avoiding the huge markup we often see in other local specialty stores.

One entire wall of the shop includes spices in large and small containers so you can purchase the amount you need. (The

Ken Stewart’s Grille Widely recognized as one of Akron’s finest. Upscale, eclectic cuisine. Emphasis on steak and seafood. 1970 W. Market St. (Akron: West) 330-867-2555 $$$$ L, D, A, T, V Ken Stewart’s Lodge Casual, Adirondack-style atmosphere, eclectic cuisine.

1911 N. Cleveland-Massillon Rd. (Bath) 330666-8881 $$$$ D, A, T Ken Stewart’s Tre Belle Italian atmosphere and authentic cuisine. Specialties include an antipasto bar, big drinks and an extensive wine list. 1911 N. ClevelandMassillon Rd. (Bath) 330-666-9990 $$$ D, A, V, T Kennedy’s BBQ Pit-smoked ham, pork, beef, turkey, pulled pork sandwiches topped with cabbage relish, bean soup, chili and Troyer’s pie by the slice. 1420 7th St. NW (Canton) 330-454-0193 $ L, D, T Kozmo’s Grille Stone-hearth pizzas, upscale pasta dishes, fresh seafood and steaks.

37 First St. NW (Massillon) 330-832-8807 $$$ L, D, A, T Lanning’s Restaurant Elegant dining atmosphere with a beautiful view. More than 150 types of wine. 826 N. Cleveland-Massillon Rd. (Bath) 330-666-1159, 330-864-2553 $$$$ D, A, T, V

shop’s smoked paprika was the star of my grill rubs last summer.)

If your gluten-free kids miss the marshmallow rainbows, clovers and diamonds found in glutened cereals, Claire’s sells these gluten-free marshmallows in bulk so you can add them to g-free cereals. (Or, just snack on them, like my family does.)

Claire’s Garden is named after Miller’s daughter who passed away at four months old from leukodystrophy, a rare genetic disorder. Profits at Claire’s Garden help fund a program at Akron Children’s Hospital that aids families with expenses while their children are hospitalized. Miller has also established a free local counseling center to assist those same families.

To reach Claire’s Garden, call 330-835-6922 or check out clairesgarden.org.

Laroush Mediterranean Food and Smoothies Hand-roasted vegetables, meat and produce from local farms. Falafel, hummus, spinach pies and salads. Vegetarian and vegan items. 425 Franklin Ave. (Kent) 330-677-1282 $$ L, D, T Larry’s Main Entrance English-pub style, burgers of note. 1964 W. Market St. (Akron: West) 330-864-8162 $$ L, D, A, T Laziza High-end Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare, plus steak and seafood dishes and a full bar. Acorn Alley, 195 E. Erie St. (Kent) 330-673-7000 $$$ L, D, A, T Lembo’s Italian Restaurant Weekday lunchtime salad and pizza buffet, Italian specialties, chicken dinners and sandwiches.

Daily specials, lunch specials, kids’ menu.

1186 Canton Rd. (Akron) 330-733-5757 $$$ L, D, A, T The Leopard Eclectic menu with American, Asian, French and Italian influences. Features seven-course chef’s table, prix fixe. 600 N. Aurora Rd. (Aurora) 330-562-2111 $$$$ D, A, T, V The Lockview Traditional American favorites. Fresh menu with spotlight on gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. 207 S. Main St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-252-5128 $$ L, D, A, T

The Lofty Café Tallmadge’s The Lofty Lunchbox has moved to a 30-seat shop in Cuyahoga Falls and changed names.

Sandwiches served with a side of Metropolis Popcorn, side dishes, salads and cupcakes.

Children’s menu and vegetarian items available. 2202 Front St. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-922-5479 $$ L, D, T Louie’s Bar & Grille Local reputation for burgers. 739 E. Glenwood Ave. (Akron: North) 330-535-5030 $ L, D, A, T Luca’s New York Style Pizza Pizza, calzones, stromboli, cheese steaks and subs.

3451 Darrow Rd. (Stow) 330-688-9595 $$$ L, D, T Lucca Downtown Locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. Italian-inspired menu.

Call for reservations. 228 4th St. NW (Canton) 330-456-2534. $$$$ L, D, A, T Luchita’s Authentic Mexican cuisine with a four-star rating. 36 Park Lane (Hudson) 330655-0059 $$$ L, D, A, T, V Lucia’s Steakhouse Fresh seafood, signature garlic butter-topped steaks, Italian favorites and Lucia classics, like homemade crab cakes or cubanella and long, hot peppers.

Closed Sun. 4769 Belpar St. NW (Canton: Belden Village) 330-492-9933 $$$$ D, A Luigi’s Restaurant An Akron icon. Open late. Serves superb Italian cuisine, salads and award-winning pizza. Voted Best Pizza and

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uncorked

by Rick Rodger

Rodney Strong Vineyards 11455 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, Calif.

Rodney Strong loved wine, and after he retired as a successful dancer, he turned to his second love as a winemaker. When asked why he retired from dance, he explained, “I knew I couldn’t be an old dancer, but I could be an old winemaker.”

In 1959 he began his winery, Sonoma Vineyards, in the newly discovered valley of Sonoma County, and it became the 13th bonded winery. In 1980 he renamed it and established Rodney Strong Vineyards. In 1989 the Klein family, a fourth generation of California farmers, purchased Rodney Strong Winery.

Rick Sayre had been the winemaker since 1979 and stayed on to make outstanding wines. Sayre has been making highly acclaimed wines from 14 prime estate vineyards in Sonoma County’s American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and calls Rodney Strong, “Northern California’s largest boutique winery.”

Through the years, the Kleins have invested millions into the vineyards with new plantings and at the winery with new crushing equipment, tanks and barrels for grape processing. They were the first to craft a single vineyard Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the first to plant Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley and the first to produce a Chalk Hill Chardonnay. This year, the Rodney Strong Vineyards became The Wine Enthusiast’s American Winery of the Year.

I also find it interesting that Rodney Strong became the first carbon neutral winery in Sonoma by implementing sustainable farming practices, installing solar power and earning its Fish Friendly Farming certification. Its staff members are committed to sustainable farming, reducing their carbon footprint and are officially certified by the California Sustainable Winegrower’s Alliance.

I’m always asked what wines I enjoy, and this winery makes solid outstanding wines at all levels.

Rodney Strong Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon This wine is cellared for 18 months in small French and American oak barrels. According to Sayre, the result is “a deep, saturated color which leads to lifted aromas of blackberry, cocoa and herby black currant, followed by a rich, layered mouth feel, loaded with juicy black cherry, cedar and crème de cassis, and structured with ripe, mature tannins.” Enjoy this wine with your flavored cheese, filet mignon, vegetarian dishes or pasta with red sauces. It retails for $15.99.

Rodney Strong Sonoma Chardonnay This wine is a combination of estategrown and locally-farmed fruit, sourced on alluvial soils from vineyards in the Russian River, Alexander Valley and Sonoma Coast appellations. They barrel ferment 60 percent of this wine and age that portion in the barrel for eight months, offering, according to Sayre, “a wine that has a touch of brown spice and vanilla, which cold fermenting the remainder to maximize a fresh fruitforward character.” Enjoy this lively Chardonnay with roasted turkey, grilled salmon, sea bass, scampi, tilapia or halibut. It retails for $11.99.

You can find these wines at Acme Fresh Markets, Papa Joe’s, Buehler’s Fresh Foods, Fisher’s, Heinen’s, West Point Market, DeVitis Italian Market, 750ml, Regency, Giant Eagle and other fine retailers in the Greater Akron Area.

Wine Wisdom – On cold nights, wines higher in alcohol help warm the soul. Try a full-bodied red or a fortified wine such as Port. / Rick Rodger is a manager at Heidelberg Distributing Company.

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spotlights BayLobsters Fish Market /'7 %D\/REVWHUV LV D ORFDOO\ RZQHG DQG RSHUDWHG PDUNHW RIIHULQJ WKH IUHVKHVW À VK DYDLODEOH LQ 1( 2KLR 'DLO\ VSHFLDOV LQ WKH FDIp IHDWXUH &DSWDLQ -RKQ·V DZDUG ZLQQLQJ À VK DQG FKLSV FUDE FDNHV OREVWHU UROOV JULOOHG VDOPRQ À VK WDFRV DQG SR· ER\V 1HZ RIIHULQJV LQFOXGH LQ KRXVH VPRNHG À VK DQG VHDIRRG SL]]DV *ULOOHG RIIHULQJV KDYH EHHQ DSSURYHG E\ WKH &OHYHODQG &OLQLF ´*R +HDOWK\µ SURJUDP 9224 Darrow Rd., (Twinsburg) • 330-486-0713 www.baylobsters.com

Bombay Sitar LDT )LQHVW ,QGLDQ FXLVLQH )RRG LV QDWXUDO DQG SUHSDUHG IUHVK GDLO\ 0RVW DOO RXU IRRGV DUH JOXWHQ IUHH 1RZ VHUYLQJ VLJQDWXUH FRFNWDLOV ,QGLDQ ZLQH DQG EHHU 4633 Belden Village St. NW (North Canton) 330–493–0671 Menu available at www.bombaysitar.com

Swensons Drive In

LDT

9RWHG %HVW %XUJHU LQ akronlife·V %HVW RI WKH &LW\ 658 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave. (Akron: North) • 330–928–8515 40 S. Hawkins Ave. (Akron: West) • 330–864–8416 4466 Kent Rd. (Stow) • 330–678–775 40 Brookemont Rd. (Montrose) • 330–665–1858 5815 Wales Ave. (Jackson Twp.) • 330–833–5454 1558 N. Main St. (North Canton) • 330–499–9494

BigEye Japanese Cuisine and Sushi Bar

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Baxter’s Bar /'$7 2YHU WKH ODVW \HDU %D[WHU·V %DU KDV PDQDJHG WR EHFRPH TXLWH WKH TXLQWHVVHQWLDO ORFDOH /LYH PXVLF LV RIIHUHG HYHU\ 0RQGD\ RSHQ PLF :HGQHVGD\ -D]] DQG 6DWXUGD\ \RX FDQ HQMR\ D FRPIRUWDEOH DQG UHOD[HG DWPRVSKHUH 7KHLU HFOHFWLF PHQX XWLOL]HV ORFDOO\ JURZQ LQJUHGLHQWV DQG DQ DUUD\ RI EHHUV DPRQJ D GLVWLQFWLYH PHDG WDS %D[WHU·V LV FHUWDLQ WR KDYH VRPHWKLQJ IRU HYHU\RQH 205 S. Main St. (Akron) • 234–678–0761 www.baxtersbar.com

Luigi’s Restaurant /'$7 $Q $NURQ LFRQ 2SHQ ODWH 6HUYHV VXSHUE ,WDOLDQ FXLVLQH VDODGV DQG DZDUG ZLQQLQJ SL]]D 9RWHG %HVW 3L]]D DQG %HVW ,WDOLDQ 5HVWDXUDQW E\ DNURQOLIH UHDGHUV 3DUW\ WUD\V DQG VKHHW SDQ SL]]DV DYDLODEOH ZLWK KRXU QRWLFH 105 N. Main St. (Akron) • 330–253–2999 www.luigisrestaurant.com

Saffron Patch

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7KH EHVW DXWKHQWLF ,QGLDQ 5HVWDXUDQW LQ 1RUWKHDVW 2KLR /RFDWHG LQ 7KH 9DOOH\ WKLV VPDOO EXW LPSDFWIXO UHVWDXUDQW RIIHUV D XQLTXH GLQLQJ H[SHULHQFH WKDW \RX ZLOO QRW IRUJHW $OO RI RXU GLVKHV UHÁ HFW WKH GHOL FLRXV DQG PLOG WR VSLF\ WDVWHV RI ,QGLD WKDW ZLOO NHHS \RX FRPLQJ EDFN IRU PRUH 3ULFH 5DQJH ² 1238 Weathervane Lane (Akron: in the Valley) 330–836–7777 • www.saffronpatchakron.com

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Best Italian Restaurant by akronlife readers. Party trays and sheet-pan pizzas available with 24-hour notice. 105 N. Main St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-253-2999 $$ L, D, A, T No credit cards Lukity Country Inn Home-style comfort food.

2697 Manchester Rd. (Akron: South) 330-753-5983 $$ B, L, D, T The Main Street Grill A unique concept in in-store dining. The pancake special starts your day off right. 175 Great Oaks Trail in Buehler’s Foods (Wadsworth) 330-3363588 $$ B, L, D, T Main Street Grille Perfect for date nights. Sit in the cellar and enjoy the music of a local pianist while you enjoy a casual upscale dinner.

We suggest the chicken pesto penne and the Kahlua mocha cheesecake. 123 S. Main St. (North Canton) 330-497-1117 $$$$ L, D, A, T Main Wok Fast Chinese cuisine. 2855 W. Market St. (Fairlawn) 330-865-8885 $$ L, D, T Accepts Discover and MasterCard Maize Valley Winery Sample wine by bottle or glass. Taste 100+ types of cheeses. Appetizers and sandwiches. Full dinner menu on Saturday evenings. 6193 Edison St. NE (Hartville) 330877-8344 $$ L, D, A Mandarin House Chinese and South Asian entrees. 3201 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-929-8157 $$ L, D, A, T Marcelita’s Southwestern atmosphere, guacamole made fresh daily, authentic Mexican fare. 7774 Darrow Rd. (Hudson) 330-650-1121 $$ L, D, A, T Mariachi Locos Fast, authentic Mexican cuisine.

2215 E. Waterloo Rd. (Akron: East) 330-733-4065; 4161 Steels Point (Stow) 330-9223307 $$ L, D, A, T Mary Coyle Strong pasta selection. Six-time winner of Pasta Yule’s Best Red Sauce.

Known for endless ice cream options. 780 W. Market St. (Highland Square) 330-2531511 $$ L, D Mavis Winkle’s Irish Pub Large, eclectic menu, cozy atmosphere and live music. 5005 Rockside Rd. (Independence) 216-5250770; 8870 Darrow Rd. (Twinsburg) 330-405-3663 $$$ L, D, A, T

Medina Steakhouse & Saloon Old-fashioned décor turns this once stagecoach stop into an open, casual place for food. 538 W. Liberty St. (Medina) 330-7232853 $$$ L, D, A Meet Me At Irene’s House favorites include chili, omelets and daily specials, such as Swiss steak, beef tips, meatloaf and tuna melts. 264 Kent Ave. N.E. (Hartville) 330877-6477 $ B, L, T Menches Brothers Restaurant Inventors of the hamburger and ice cream cone. In Akron since 1901.

3700 Massillon Rd. (Green) 330-896-2288 $$ B, L, D, A, T The Merchant Tavern With owner Anthony Piscazzi’s family history running Akron’s beloved Wine Merchant restaurant and chef Victor Todaro in the kitchen, this new restaurant already has a great start. Retail wines available.

Closed Sunday and Monday.

Lunch served on weekends.

1824 Merriman Road (Akron: Merriman Valley) $$$ L, D, A, T Michael’s AM Casual, family-style dining. Full breakfast and lunch menu featuring sandwiches and daily specials.1562 AkronPeninsula Rd. (Merriman Valley) 330-929-3447 $ B, L, T No credit cards Mike’s Place Unique atmosphere, extensive menu.

1700 S. Water St. (Kent) 330673-6501 $ B, L, D, A, T Milich’s Village Inn Finger-lickin’ chicken prepared Barberton style. The tenders are a twist on the famous recipe. 4444 S. ClevelandMassillon Rd. (Norton) 330825-4553 $$ L, D, T Moe’s Hip, intimate atmosphere featuring a diverse chalkboard menu that changes monthly. Martinis, cocktails and extensive selection of wines by the glass. Closed Sun. 2385 Front St. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-928-6600 $$$$ L, D, A, T Molly Brown’s Country Cafe Big breakfasts, South of the Border menu items and large portions. 1792 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-9454407; 519 Canton Rd. (Ellet) 330-784-4711; 5151 Fulton Dr. NW (Canton) 330-2449322 $$ B, L, T Mr. Zubs Deli At the Matinee. Features hot and cold sandwiches named after movie characters, cream cheese spreads, salads and

sides. Open late-night. 812 W. Market St. (Highland Square) 330-252-0272 $ L, D, T Ms. Julie’s Kitchen Opened by Akron native and author of three vegan cookbooks. Specialties include salads, whole grain-foods and spelt flour waffles. 1809 S. Main St. (Akron) 330-8193834 $ B, L, D, T Mulligan’s Pub Local antique décor, award-winning barbecued ribs, extensive menu. 4118 Belden Village St. NW (Canton: Belden Village) 330-493-8239 $$$ L, D, A, T Mustard Seed Market Café Located on mezzanine overlooking natural foods market. Menu reflects same strict standards as the market, with naturally raised meats, free-range poultry and foods free from artificial flavors, colorings and preservatives.

Full bar, juice bar and espresso.

Live music on weekends.

Sunday brunch. 3885 W. Market St. (Montrose) 330666-7333 $$$ L, D, T New Era Restaurant A mainstay of the Akron area.

Heavenly paprikash and other Hungarian favorites. 10 Massillon Rd. (Akron: East) 330-784-0087 $$ B, L, D, A, T New York 2 Chicago Pizzeria Menu inspired by the famous thin crust pizza of New York and the deep-dish pizza of Chicago. Sauce and dough made fresh daily.

Salads and wings. Closed Sun. 4320-1 Kent Rd. (Stow) 330686-6922 $$ L, D, T Nicoletti’s Park Place Located in the former Hook, Line and Drinkers, this spot’s fine dining menu features fresh pasta, lobster tail, fish, osso bucco, lamb and pork chops. The outdoor grill features a casual menu with burgers, steaks and other entrees. 530 Portage Lakes Drive (Coventry Township) $$ L, D, A, T, V 91 Wood Fired Oven Upscale casual, West Coast atmosphere. Pizza and pasta are specialties. Patio dining. 1983 Easton St. NW in Washington Square Plaza (North Canton) 330-4989191; 5570 Fulton Dr. NW (Canton) 330-497-9111 $$$ D, A, T Nuevo Modern Mexican and Tequila Bar Owned by Zack and Lisa Hirt, this new restaurant opens soon in the Gothic Building. 54 E. Mill St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-7628000 L, D, A

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The Oaks Lakeside Casual dining, fabulous ambiance in 1914 estate. Outdoor dining and water views. Banquet facility. 5878 Longacre Lane (Chippewa Lake) 800-922-5736 $$$$ D, A The Office Metropolitan bistro and lounge with eclectic ambiance and timeless decor. 778 N. Main St. (Akron) 330-376-9550; 1846 Front St. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-376-9550 $$$ L, D, A, T, V (Cuyahoga Falls location only) On Tap Relaxed atmosphere, great gyros and Greek food. 3263 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-922-0464; 2905 Medina Rd. (Medina) 330-725-1972; 4396 Kent Rd. (Stow) 330-686-5359; 562 Portage Lakes Drive (Akron) 330644-1664; 3997 Medina Rd. (Akron) 330-668-1116 $$ L, D, A, T One Red Door Decadent menu featuring gourmet pizzas, share plates such as bacon-wrapped roasted dates, and burgers. Closed Sun. 49 Village Way (Hudson) 330-342-3667 $$$$ L, D, A Orchard House Restaurant Menu features a variety of comfort foods and BBQ favorites prepared in the area’s only applewood smoker.

Closed Mondays. Sunday Brunch. 294 Pearl Road (Brunswick) 330-225-5576 $$$ L, D, T Pad Thai Elegant restaurant, extensive menu of traditional Thai dishes. 3545 Brookwall Dr. (Fairlawn) 330-668-9981; 5657 Darrow Rd. (Hudson) 330-6509998 $$$ L, D, A, T Pammie’s Get your fill of soul food, ribs, chicken and fish. 1364 Copley Rd. (Akron) 330-475-0406 $$ L, D, T Pancho & Lefty’s Popular neighborhood cantina. 3254 Kent Rd. (Stow) 330-686-6781 $$ L, D, A, T Pantry Restaurant Casual dining in a country setting. Wraparound balcony seating (weather permitting).

Homecooked meals, fresh-made pies and kids’ menu. 101 N. Prospect Ave. (Hartville) 330-818-5531 $$ B, L, D, T Paolo’s Small menu of appetizers, paninis and salads. Tues., martini specials; Wed., sushi specials; Thurs., university night drink specials. 1 W. Exchange St. (Akron: Downtown) 330252-1995 $$ L, D, A, T Papa Bear’s Italian Restaurant Authentic, homemade Italian food. 4990 Dressler Rd. NW (Canton: Belden Village) 330-493-0090 $$$ L, D, A, T Papa Gyros Greek Grill Authentic Greek fare. Greek wine and beer. 4760 Everhard Rd. NW (Canton: Belden Village) 330-497-1100; 2045 Cleveland Ave. NW (Canton) 330-4569000 $$ L, D, A, T Papa Joe’s Classy atmosphere, extensive wine list, fine Italian fare, seafood and steaks. 1561 AkronPeninsula Rd. (Merriman Valley) 330923-7999 $$$ L, D, A, T Parasson’s Good pasta. Great for family dining. 501 N. Main St. (Akron: North) 330-376-2117; 959 E. Waterloo Rd.

Photo by Micah Beree

Pasta Carbonara with linguine, bacon, Romano and Parmesan cheeses, cracked black pepper and egg

The Galaxy Restaurant, Wadsworth (Akron) 330-724-9375; 3983 Darrow Rd. (Stow) 330-688-3650; 364 Wooster Rd. N. (Barberton) 330-753-2264 $$ L, D, A, T Peachtree Southern Kitchen & Cocktails An upscale, familyfriendly spot serving Southern fare from the Low Country. Sunday brunch. 200 N. Main St. (Hudson) 216-978-9640 L, D, A Pillitiere’s The sub sandwiches and affordable lunches are a Firestone Park tradition. 61 E. Waterloo Rd. (Akron: South) 330-773-0206 $ B, L, D, A, T PINTS! Your Premiere Liquid Grille Numerous tap offerings along with sandwiches, pizza, wings and fried delicacies. 426 E. Exchange St. (Akron: University Park) 330-535-2276 $ L, D, A, T Platinum Dragon A great spot for people-watching. Menu features a variety of Chinese favorites. 814 W. Market St. (Highland Square) 330-4348108 $$ L, D, A, T Prime/93 Appetizers, specials, hand-cut and aged steaks, chops and fresh seafood. Chef-driven restaurant.

Entertainment on weekends. 4315 Manchester Rd. (Akron: South) 330644-2239 $$$$ L, D, A, T Primo’s Deli An Akron mainstay since 1979. Try their famous corned beef sandwich or spicy Italian sub, and finish with a slice of homemade carrot cake. Closed Sun. and Mon. 1707 Vernon Odom Blvd. (Akron) 330-745-9056 $$ L, D, A, T

Primo’s Deli and Club A downtown version of the original Primo’s with different owners. Has a similar deli menu, plus DJs and live music on Thurs., Fri. and Sat. 271 S. Main St. (Akron) 330376-3663 $$ L, D, A, T Pronto Casual Italian The menu at Santino Zappitelli and Chef Antonio Deblasio’s new restaurant includes pizza, stromboli, baked Italian entrees, salads and desserts. 20 E. Exchange St. (Akron: Downtown) 234-678-3766 $$ L, D, A, T Pufferbelly Ltd. Located in historic Kent railroad depot. 152 Franklin Ave. (Kent) 330-673-1771 $$$ L, D, A, T The Rail High-quality Ohio beef used for burgers. Top with specialty condiments like truffle butter or sunflower-basil pesto. Veggie burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, milkshakes, and local and craft beers. 3265 W. Market St. in Summit Mall (Akron) 330864-7245 $$ L, D, A, T Raj Mahal Traditional Indian cuisine with excellent lamb and chicken curry dishes. Daily lunch buffet. 2035 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-926-0795 $$$ L, D, T Ray’s Place Great burgers, hearty dinners and the area’s largest selection of foreign and domestic beer in the bottle and on draft. 135 Franklin Ave. (Kent) 330-673-2253 $$ L, D, A, T Reggie’s Cheerful atmosphere, homestyle cooking from breakfast to burgers.

Perfect for family dining. 4065 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-923-1234 $$ B, L, D, T

Reserve Inn A Hudson landmark featuring fine cuisine and an upscale setting. Traditional steaks and ribs with a Cajun selection or two. 30 W. Streetsboro St. (Hudson) 330-650-1717 $$$$ L, D, A, T Retro Dog Family-owned and operated, this dine-in/drive-in restaurant serves char-grilled hotdogs, hand-patted burgers, fresh-cut fries, tempura-battered onion rings, vegetarian-friendly items, home-brewed root beer and homemade custard, floats, shakes and treats. 350 E. Steels Corners Road (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-928-3500 $ L, D, T Rockne’s Notorious for huge sandwiches and pub food at a great price. Try Rockne’s Terminator Sub: shaved beef, grill-seared and covered in cheese and fries, topped with lettuce, mayo and Rockne’s dressing on a buttered, grilled long bun. Children’s menu available. 7 Merriman Road (Akron) 330-762-7555; 1203 Bailey Road (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-922-3663; 2914 W. Market St. (Fairlawn) 330-8367662; 1450 E. Main St. (Kent) 330-6770904; 155 Lincolnway West (Massillon) 330-833-8800; 5121 Buehlers Drive (Medina) 330-725-3663; 5000 Portage St. (North Canton) 330-244-4212; 4240 Hudson Drive (Stow) 330-922-9960; 9406 St. Rte. 14 (Streetsboro) 330-4228010 $$ L, D, A, T Rosewood Grill Seasonally inspired with the fresh appeal of a local farmer’s market. Happy hour, Mon.-Fri., 3-6 p.m.

36 E. Streetsboro St. (Hudson) 330-6562100 $$$$ L (Fri/Sat only), D, A, T

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Rush Hour Bar & Grill American menu. 8870 Darrow Rd. (Twinsburg) 330-425-3221 $$ L, D, A, T Russo’s Unique cuisine featuring Cajun and Italian influences. Fine-dining atmosphere. 4895 State Rd. (Peninsula) 330-923-2665 $$$$ L, D, A, T Rusty Nail Casual atmosphere serving quality steak, seafood and chicken. 7291 State Route 43 (Kent) 330-673-2297 $$$ D, A, T Saffron Patch Fine Indian cuisine including tandoori chicken, gingerseasoned yellow lentils and garlic naan.

1238 Weathervane Lane (Akron) 330-836-7777 $$$ L, D, A, T Sakura Fresh sushi served daily. Wide selection of specialty rolls. 3900 Medina Rd. (Akron) 330-670-0288 $$$ L, D, T Sammie’s Bar and Grill Dave DeLapa’s restaurant menu features burgers, sandwiches, comfort food and appetizers. 498 South Ave. (Tallmadge) 234-678-8334 $$ L, D, A, T Sarah’s Vineyard Sample highquality wines, appetizers and desserts in the tasting room, on the deck or in the butterfly garden. Open Wed.-Sun. 1204 W. Steels Corners Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-929-8057 $$ L, D, A Schwebel Room Fine dining on KSU campus. (Kent) 330-672-2583 $$$ L, D, A, T Siamone’s Restaurant Specializing in Thai and Cambodian cuisine. 2215 E. Waterloo Rd. (Akron) 330-733-5070 $$$ L, D, A, T

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Photo by Micah Beree

Sensational Salmon From 200 miles off the shore of the Shetland Islands, Black Pearl organic salmon makes a splash in Mustard Seed Market & Café’s Salmon Wrap.

Mustard Seed Market & Café, Akron Sisters Century House Historic building overlooks Ohio Canal. Known for twice-baked potatoes. 123 S. Canal St. (Canal Fulton) 330-854-9914 $$ B, L, D, T Skyway Drive-In Restaurant A West Akron tradition. Drive-in burgers, fast fare. 2781 W. Market St. (Fairlawn) 330-836-2806; 951 E. Turkeyfoot Rd. (Green) 330-896-9350; 3296 Medina Rd. (Medina) 330-721-8561 $ L, D, T Sonnets Espresso Bar & Restaurant Signature blend coffee, local craft beer, made-to-order sandwiches, salads, soups, kids’ meals and live music every weekend. Closed Sunday. 117 College St. (Wadsworth) 330-336-5557 $$ B, L, D, A, T Southern Gardens Restaurant & Tea Room Enjoy quiche, soups, sandwiches and salads, as well as Southern-style and authentic Southeast Asian cuisine. Over 50 loose leaf teas are brewed by the pot right at your table and are available for purchase to take home. Children’s menu

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available. Closed Monday. 497 Portage Lakes Drive (Akron) 330-644-8363 $$ L, D, T Spennato’s Italian Ristorante Seafood, chicken, pasta and pizza, as well as attentive service and a casual dining atmosphere. 10446 Northfield Rd. (Northfield) 330-468-8688 $$$ L, D, A, T Steinly’s Down-home breakfasts are a mainstay. 235 E. Waterloo Rd. (Akron: South) 330-773-6422 $ B, L, D, T Steve’s Dakota Grill Upscale casual NW lodge setting with prime-rib specialty voted Best of the Best. Fresh seafood daily. 2809 Pearl Rd. (Medina) 330-725-6288 $$$$ D, A, T Stew Pot Kitchen Serves soups, stews, slow-cooked meals, beerflavored brats and more. Menu changes weekly. Specials offer unique flavors and pairings. Closed weekends. 23 S. Main St. (Akron) 330-376-7839 $ L, D, T Strickland’s Founded in 1936. Run by the third generation of the Strickland family. 1809 Triplett Blvd. (Akron); 4050

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Cascades Blvd., Unit A, (Brimfield) 330346-0166; 294 Pearl Rd. (Brunswick) 330-273-4600; 2629 Bailey Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-929-8498; 3465 S. Arlington Rd. (Green) 330-899-9477; 2930 Medina Rd. (Medina) 330-7219567; 3985 Medina Rd. (Montrose) 330670-0811; 3916 Cleveland-Massillon Rd. (Norton) 330-706-9920; 9070 State Rt. 14 (Streetsboro) 330-626-2750 $ T Sweet Pea Café Traditional breakfast fare plus homemade granola, omelets and frittatas. Soup, salad, sandwiches, mac and cheese, and meatloaf, all made from scratch. 117 Merz Blvd. (Fairlawn) 330-794-7952 $$ B, L, T Swensons Drive In Voted Best Burger in akronlife’s Best of the City.

Signature burger is the Galley Boy. 658 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave. (Akron: North) 330928-8515; 40 S. Hawkins Ave. (Akron: West) 330-864-8416; 4466 Kent Rd. (Stow) 330-678-7775; 40 Brookmont Rd. (Montrose) 330-665-1858; 5815 Wales Ave. (Jackson Twp.) 330-8335454; 1558 N. Main St. (North Canton) 330-499-9494 $ L, D, T

Taco Tontos Funky, college atmosphere featuring authentic Mexican cuisine made from scratch.

Good selection of vegetarian dishes.

123 Franklin Ave. (Kent) 330-677-0223 $$ L, D, T Taggart’s Ice Cream Established in 1926, this landmark features wrought-iron “ice cream parlor” chairs and high-backed booths. Try the Bittner! Homemade soups, salads and sandwiches. Kids’ menu and vegetarian options. 1401 Fulton Rd. NW (Canton) 330-452-6844; 107 S. Main (Magnolia) 330-866-9344 $ L, D, T Tai Wah Popular area Chinese takeout, dine in also. Nice lunch buffet. 5835 Darrow Rd. (Hudson) 330-528-0888 $$ L, D, A, T Tangier Banquet and Events Center Occasionally featuring live entertainment from around the country.

Elaborate décor. Quality steaks and seafood. 532 W. Market St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-376-7171, 800-8264437 $$$$ D, A, T Taste of Bangkok & Sushi Bar Menu includes curries, noodle dishes and hand-rolled sushi. Variety of lunch specials. 514 E. Exchange St. (Akron: University Park) 330-252-2270 $$ L, D, T The Tasting Room at Hoppin’ Frog Brewery This spot offers a dozen beers on tap and more than 24 bottles, including imports, and nightly events. Gastropub seasonal menu available. Open Tues.-Sat. 1680 E. Waterloo Road (Akron) 234-535-3764 $$$ D, A Tequila Pancho’s Many flavors of margaritas. 5893 Akron-Cleveland Rd. (Boston Heights) 330-342-9401 $$ L, D, A, T Thano’s Family Restaurant Burgers, chops, chicken, wraps, seafood and pasta. Breakfast served all day, daily specials, Friday fish fry. 50-seat party room. Open 7 days. 71 5th St. (Barberton) 330-861-1300 $$ B, L, D, A, T 3 Palms Pizzeria & Bakery Gourmet Neapolitan pizzas baked in an authentic Italian-built wood-burning oven, plus other Italian specialties. 60 Village Way (Hudson) 330-342-4545 $$$ L, D, T 3 Point Upscale casual American dining with a gourmet twist. Hand-cut steaks, pastas, and fresh chicken and seafood.

Craft beers from around the world, boutique wine list. 45 E. Market St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-535-6410 $$$ L, D, A, T, V 356th Fighter Group World War II-theme restaurant, casual fine dining, locally owned and operated. 4919 Mt. Pleasant Rd. (North Canton) 330-4943500, 800-994-2662 $$$ L, D, A, T Thyme2 the Restaurant Contemporary cuisine with worldly influences, served in an upscale, modern setting. 113 W. Smith Road (Medina) 330-764-4114 $$$$ L, D, A, T

Tim’s Pizzeria and Pub Casual, sit-down restaurant serving pizza, pasta, homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts. Open for lunch only on weekends. 2823 Bailey Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-928-1530 $$ D, A, T Tito’s Mexican Grill Dining room features wooden chairs and tables handcarved in Mexico. Run by the owners of El Rincon on South Arlington. Great meals and even greater margaritas. 25 Ghent Rd. (Fairlawn) 330-835-9801 $$ L, D, A, T Tomaso’s Italian Villa Familyowned and operated for over 50 years.

Features classic Italian cuisine. Pasta dinners, pizza, fortunes (calzones), salads, desserts, beer and wine. Kids’ menu. 3271 Barber Rd. (Norton) 330745-6063 $$ L, D, A, T Tony’s Speakeasy A great place to chill. Home of the Chocolate Martini.

Sandwich originals including The Godfather, Sleeps with the Fishes, Joe the Boss and The SpeakEasy Burger.

Call for hours. 560 W Tuscarawas Ave. (Barberton) 330-753-9454 $$ D, A, T Totally Cooked To-Go Market Comfort foods, soups, made-to-order sandwiches and salads, and desserts.

Menu changes weekly. Cuyahoga Falls open Mon.-Sat. Akron open weekdays for breakfast and lunch. 2730 Front St. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-923-9964; 388 S. Main St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-2941120 $$ B, L, D, T Tozzi’s Restaurant Downtown Canton Chef Mark Green creates an Italian-influenced menu that includes steaks, fish, chicken and pasta dishes, as well as sandwiches, soups and salads. Lunch served Thurs. and Fri. Closed Sun. and Mon. 218 Court Ave. (Canton) 330-471-8000. $$$$ L, D, A, T, V Trackside Grille at Quaker Square Train-themed restaurant with three actual railroad cars inside.

135 S. Broadway St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-253-4541 $$ L, D, T Twigs Diner Don’t let the small exterior fool you. There’s plenty of room inside. Everything from burgers to breakfast specials. 334 31st St. NW (Norton) 330-825-1016 $ B, L, T No credit cards Urban Eats - A Pop Art Café Open M-F, 8 am-4 pm. 51 E. Market St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-310-7135 $ B, L, A, V Vaccaro’s Trattoria One of the area’s best-kept Italian secrets. 1000 Ghent Rd. (Bath) 330-666-6158 $$$$ L, D, A, T Valley Café Owned by a five-star gourmet chef. Features friendly service, dishes made from scratch and famous cabbage soup. 1212 Weathervane Lane (Merriman Valley) 330-865-0101 $ B, L, T The Valley Inn This one-time country roadhouse has been transformed into a family hot-spot. The prime rib is gigantic. 15004 Portage St. (Doylestown) 330-658-9859 $$$ L, D, A, T

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Hudson’s Restaurant & Catering

D’Agnese’s at White Pond Akron

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80 N. Main St. (Hudson) • 330–650–1955 3900 Medina Rd. (Akron: West) • 330–666–7777 www.hudsonsrestaurant.com

BLDAT

566 White Pond Dr. (Akron) • 234–678–3612 www.dagneseswhitepond.com

LDAT

good eats spotlights

Interested in adding your restaurant, bar, winery, catering company, food truck or other food related business or service to the new akronlife “good eats spotlights”? contact: sales@bakermediagroup.com or call: Colin at 330-256-0053 ext. 104

The affordable way to reach new customers.

Blue Canyon Restaurant (QMR\ D 6XQGD\ %UXQFK GLQLQJ H[SHULHQFH DW %OXH &DQ\RQ .LWFKHQ 7DYHUQ 3URXGO\ VHUYLQJ D YDULHW\ RI EUXQFK VHOHFWLRQV PDSOH OLQN VDXVDJH DSSOHZRRG VPRNHG EDFRQ SDVWD %& SRUN HQWUHHV DQG PRUH &KHI &DUYHG 3ULPH 5LE 6WDWLRQ 5DZ %DU 6DODG %DU DQG FRRNHG WR RUGHU RPHOHWV HJJV EHQHGLFW DQG SDQFDNHV &RFNWDLOV DYDLODEOH 6D\ ´$NURQ /LIHµ WR \RXU VHUYHU DQG UHFHLYH D UHZDUG FHUWLÀ FDWH JRRG IRU \RXU QH[W %OXH &DQ\RQ 'LQLQJ $GYHQWXUH ZLWK WKH SXUFKDVH RI DGXOW EUXQFKHV

8960 Wilcox Drive (Twinsburg) • 330.486.BLUE bluecanyonrestaurant.com

w w w. akronlife.com

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by Ben DiCola

big bite

The Italian Center Much more than a meal There are an endless number of Italian restaurants vying for your business these days but if you truly want an authentic Italian dining experience, check out The Italian Center, 134 Tallmadge Ave. in Akron’s North Hill neighborhood, every Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m.

For just $7.50, guests can enjoy a full Italian dinner, salad, bread and butter, coffee, water and dessert, while children’s meals are priced at $6.50 — and ever since this fundraiser began, Dominic Rizzo has been collecting payments from guests at the foot of the stairs.

Frank Iemma is one of a dozen volunteers who arrive at the center each Thursday morning at 6 a.m. The crew begins the task of making homemade sauce and pasta for the diners who will undoubtedly descend upon the center that afternoon. Everything they make is homemade, and nothing is frozen.

Italian cuisine is not merely consumed here; it’s savored in a family-style atmosphere Although the food is predictably tasty, where guests have enjoyed homemade guests have — on occasion — enjoyed spaghetti sauce and meatballs for the past Italian music played by a local band while 25 years. The center is also a place where they dined, and an autographed photo of its patrons come each week to learn more “Hot in Cleveland” actress Valerie Bertinelli about each other’s joys, hangs on the wall as proof The Italian Center serves 550 sorrows, passions and that she, too, has visited meals a week. That’s up to family traditions. the center.

120 pounds of pasta and 50 Gabriella DiSanza, a gallons of sauce.

The walls also have several native of Molise, Italy, maps of Italy with the has been in this country for 50 years. She’s country’s villages listed. Guests with an one of 10 waitresses ready to serve dining Italian background can check out where patrons spaghetti with meatballs, rigatoni their ancestors lived in the old country. with meatballs, or spaghetti with oil and And, guests will notice huge spoons in garlic. Guests can request the waitress of the center of each table: As any bona fide their choice, but DiSanza’s Italian accent, Italian knows, you don’t cut spaghetti; you coupled with her love of people and genutwirl it with your fork into your spoon. ine concern for them and their families, “When I get a new customer, I tell them makes many gravitate to her section in the what they’re going to get here,” DiSanza center’s basement each week. says. “If they need a box to take home, we “You become like family with your cusprovide that too.” tomers,” DiSanza says. “I’ve been serving If you haven’t been to The Italian Center on here since the beginning, and you become Thursday night, you should make the extra friends with your customers. But above all, effort to stop by. You’ll be welcomed with it’s the homemade sauce and the homemade great-tasting homemade Italian food and meatballs that keep people coming back. fellowship at every table. And you won’t And the price is very reasonable too.” find that anywhere else.

The Italian Center serves as a social club / Writer Ben DiCola is a full-blooded Italian for its estimated 200 members, and its with discriminating tastes, especially when it Thursday night dinners began in 1988 as a comes to preparing Italian food. fundraiser to support and sustain the organization. All these years later, this event is Comments? still scoring big with customers who come Email them to managing editor to North Hill from Akron, Cleveland, Abby Cymerman at Canton, Youngstown, Hudson and the suracymerman@bakermediagroup.com rounding communities.

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Varsity Bar & Grill Beerbattered shrimp, chipotle BBQ ribs, Italian trio and twisted BLTs are menu standouts. DJ on Thurs.; live bands Fri. and Sat. Imported and domestic beer; 11 on draft. 271 S. Main St., Suite A (Akron) 330-376-3663 $$ L, D, A, T Vasili’s Greek Cuisine A welcome addition to Akron’s restaurant scene, Vasili’s provides big flavors and huge portions at a reasonable price with excellent customer service. The mousaka is killer good, and the baklava is decadent. 1702 Merriman Rd. (Merriman Valley) 330-8640722 $$ L, D, T Village Gardens Restaurant and Pub Family restaurant. Homemade meals, including house-favorites Macedonian bean soup, chicken vlaki and chicken paprikash.

Full-service lounge. 2437 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-9285751 $ B, L, D, A, T Vito Corleone’s Italian Grille Authentic Italian dishes, like cozze di Napoli, Bolognese and puttanesca, served in a “Godfather”-themed setting.

Try their “Mob Mixes” drinks, like the Marlon Brando or Mafia’s Kiss, with tiramisu or gelato for dessert. Menu includes meals for “Little Gambinos.” 3242 Lincoln Way E (Massillon) 330880-0760 $$$ L, D, A, T Virtues Signature foods such as a tempura calamari appetizer.

Specialty pizzas, filet mignon and other gourmet items with high nutritional values.

525 E. Market St. (in Akron City Hospital’s Ann and David Brennan CCU) 330-375-7444 $$$ B, L, D, A, T, V V-Li’s Cuisine Thai dishes.

129 N. Canal St. (Canal Fulton) 330-854-5344 $$ L, D, A, T Wally Waffle Breakfast served all day! Try the Elvis Waffle, loaded with bacon and peanut butter chips and topped with honey and sliced bananas. Plus, burgers, gyros, chicken sandwiches, fresh salads and more. 845 W. Market St. (Akron: Highland Square) 330374-4915; 750 Darrow Road (Tallmadge) 330-633-7400 $$ B, L, D (Highland Square location only), T Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse Hibachi steakhouse and sushi bar. Chefs prepare food right before your eyes. 150 Montrose West Ave. (Copley) 330-666-5522; 6338 Strip Ave. NW (North Canton) 330-966-8866 $$$$ L, D, T Waterloo Restaurant Eclectic menu. Famous for the Waterloo Big Apple and French

onion soup. 423 E. Waterloo Rd. (Akron: South) 330-773-5158 $$ B, L, D, T West Side Bakery Specialties include cakes, pastries and cookies. Breakfast items include scones, muffins and yogurt parfaits. All sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups are made from scratch.

2303 W. Market St. (Akron: Pilgrim Square) 330-836-4101; 1840 Town Park Blvd. (Green) 330-899-9968 $ B, L, T Whitehouse Chicken A Barberton tradition. 180 Wooster Rd. N. (Barberton) 330-7450449; 2457 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-945-6555; 1941 Triplet (Ellet) 330-784-3000; 4195 Massillon Rd. (Green) 330-896-5644; 137 East Ave. (Tallmadge) 330-633-4001; 199 Great Oaks Trail (Wadsworth) 330-335-6000; 247 S. Chestnut St. (Ravenna) 330-296-2800 $$ L, D, T Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers Famous chili, generous portions and live entertainment on the weekends.

3600 Brecksville Rd. (Richfield) 330-659-3600 $$ D, A No credit cards Wild Goats Coffee & Café Offers light entrées, vegan and vegetarian soups, and exceptional coffee. 319 W. Main St. (Kent) 330-677-2326 $$ B, L, D, T Winking Lizard Come to see the lizard, stay for the extensive beer selection and food. 25 Ghent Rd. (Fairlawn) 330-8366129; 1615 Main St. (Peninsula) 330-467-1002; 5710 Fulton Dr. NW (Canton) 330-497-1133 $$$ L, D, A, T Wishing U Well Tea Shop A fine tea establishment featuring Broad Street Brownies samples every day. Closed Sun. and Mon. 15 Broad St. (Akron) 330-634-5911 B, L, D, T Yellowtail Japanese-style seafood and sushi buffet. 4054 Medina Rd. (Montrose) 330666-9988 $$$$ L, D, A, T Yours Truly This awardwinning restaurant is family-owned and operated by the Shibley family, with an emphasis on customer service and family-friendly dining. Try the burger, chili and breakfast items. 36 S. Main St. (Hudson) 330-650-2900; 3725 Medina Road (Medina) 330-722-5800 $$ B, L, D, A, T

Please send any changes or corrections to acymerman@ bakermediagroup.com

januar y 2014

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parting shot

Cold Weather Fun >> Three girls pose on their sled at Derby Downs in Akron. In the winter, Derby Downs was used as a sledding track.

Photo courtesy of Fulton Collection / Summit Memory Project / Akron-Summit County Public Library

www.akronlife.com

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Keep your day fresh.

WKSU 89.7 now has more fresh news and information programming all day and more of your classical music favorites in the evening.WKSU is a refreshing companion for every part of your day.

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