May 2012

Top Teachers / Photographing Nature Right / Discover Medina

volume 10 / issue 5

JIM

TRESSEL on strategic engagement, second chances and sweaters — sans sleeves.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF

may 201 2

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It’s an urban redevelopment entrepreneur! p14 Dust off those hiking boots! p18 Cry Me a River p56

Benjamin Rexroad The talented director of Heads Up Productions

Greater Akron

Disassembled

APhoto Essay

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may 2012 / vol. 10 / issue 5

PAGES start here

On The Cover / 34 Jim Tressel / Cover photo by Dennis Roliff

41

Feature Interior, abandoned office building, downtown Akron, photo by Dave Desimone

34

/ Jim Tressel / Starting his role at the University of Akron this month, Tressel talks second chances, strategic engagement and sweaters — sans sleeves.

41

/ Greater 28 Akron Disassembled / The future of our region is in re-imagining the past. A photo essay.

46

/ The Curious Case of Benjamin Rexroad / This talented director is using Heads Up Productions as a catalyst for community improvement, tackling topical issues and paying local theater professionals to hone their craft here in Akron.

4

akronlife

may 2012

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pages

12

subject matter

50

good eats

20 agenda Departments

Special Sections

8

/ Mail Bonding

10

/ Radar (Seen + Heard)

12

/ Subject Matter Grab your point-and-shoot, and make a date with Mother Nature.

14

16

18

20

/ Outside Dust off those hiking boots!

This book offers lots of options for a NEO nature walk.

/ 58 Top Teachers

/ Agenda

/ 67 Medina

21 Entertainment listings/ calendar of featured events

/ The Interview Eric Anthony Johnson, Executive Director, University Park Alliance

33

/ Speakeasy

50

/ Flash akronlife's Single Mingle

/ Good Eats (notable food & drink)

My wife and I are control freaks.

Sadly for us, Mother Nature and newborns don’t respect schedules.

50 Restaurant Listings 52 Uncorked: Crew Wine Company; Zamora, California 54 Big Bite: Taking Flight at 750ml 56 Mad Platter: Cry Me a River

6

akronlife

may 2012

/ 66 Health Matters The Weight of the Nation and our Region

mail bonding

>> The “Write” Skills

>> Melanoma: Know Your Risks I’m writing you as I page through one of my all-time favorite issues of akronlife — the April 2011 “Hot Husbands” issue. My hubby, James Norris, was of course, one of them. And anyone simply thumbing through couldn’t help but smile back at one of his best attributes: his infectious smile.

Much as happened since then, as my whole life has been forever changed since James lost his life to Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanoma claims the life of one person every hour in the United States; his hour was 10:55 p.m. Oct. 16, 2011 at the age of 37 — only two months after his initial stage IV diagnosis.

My primary task is as senior pastor of Tallmadge Lutheran Church — a position I’ve been blessed with for almost 19 years. But, my “for fun” role is teaching one section of college prep English at National College in Stow once in a while. It’s a business/technology school for people trying to gain a certificate or degree to help them find work or better paying work. Most of the students are somewhere in the range of 20-60 years old.

Men and women. Black and white. Single and married. Employed and unemployed. They’re in the class either because they tested poorly on the placement exam or because they don’t have sufficient writing skills to advance in the college. Many thanks for your article, “Generation Txt” [March 2012]. I really appreciated it!

Dr. David Zachrich Tallmadge Lutheran Church Tallmadge

One of our only defenses against this Melanoma is awareness and education. I’ve been able to honor James’ memory and redirect my energy and focus by joining this fight and teaming up with www.Melanoma-education-initiative. org — a local nonprofit organization created by one dedicated survivor whose mission is to save lives.

May is national awareness month for Melanoma and is represented by a black ribbon. Please honor May — and James — by educating and informing yourself about this deadly disease. Through all this, James has taught me beyond physical knowledge about the power of love and reminded everyone he touched of life’s fragility. I’d like you to remember James because he has impacted so many lives in his short one. He so embraced life to the fullest, enjoying many friendships, true love and his family. Our love story lives on through our two beautiful children and the legacy of the family he created.

In my work and passion for this organization, I know I can bring a new awareness and attention to this disease and pay it forward to others through education and knowledge. I know I can be strong with him in my heart.

I love you James.

April Norris Cuyahoga Falls

Have Akron, Will Travel

Associate Publisher Colin Baker cbaker@bakermediagroup.com

Creative Director Kathy Baker Moorhouse kmoorhouse@bakermediagroup.com

Assistant Editor Abby Cymerman acymerman@bakermediagroup.com

Contributing Writers Dave Desimone Ben DiCola Amy Antenora Greathouse Rob Hawk Lisa Langford Bev Shaffer Julia Valentine Rodney Wilson Artistic Director / Production Manager William L. Teckmyer III wteckmyer@bakermediagroup.com

rchillcott@bakermediagroup.com

My name is Bob LeFever, and a group of us went on a cruise of the southern Caribbean this January and carried akronlife with us.

We took this photo following dinner one night. Our group consisted of Mike and Shirley Kozinski (North Canton), Bob and Julie LeFever (Akron), Bob and Pam Sturm (North Canton), Tom and Sue Atkinson (Solon), Joe and Patsy Lamancusa (North Canton), and Steve and Karen Dixon (Mayor Plusquellic’s sister and brother-inlaw). The cruise was delightful, as was the company. It was a great trip, but it’s always great to come home to Akron.

As far as the Bucket List goes [January 2012 issue shown in the photo], I’ve done some of the things and look forward to the others still waiting — with the exception of sky diving!

Robert J. LeFever President/CEO, Portage Country Club Akron

akronlife

dbakerjr@bakermediagroup.com

Graphic Designer Rachel Chillcott

Comments? Got something to say about an article you read in akronlife? Send comments to: akronlife, 90 South Maple St., Akron, OH 44302 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.

8

Publisher / Editor-in-Chief Don Baker Jr.

may 2012

Photographers Micha Beree Ron Copeland Dave Desimone Dennis Roliff Drew Smith Shane Wynn swynn@bakermediagroup.com

Sales Colin Baker Ben DiCola Bunny Lacey Carol Null Tim O’Connell sales@bakermediagroup.com

Circulation Jessica Burkhart jburkhart@bakermediagroup.com

330-253-0056 ext. 112 May 2012, Volume 10, Issue 5 (ISSN No. 74470 57871) akronlife is published monthly by Baker Media Group, LLC, 90 S. Maple St., Akron, Ohio 443021629. Copyright 2012 © 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.

may 2012 / vol. 10 / issue 5

On average, right-handed people live nine years longer than left-handed people.

RADAR seen+heard

“I’m going to murder my stanky husband.”

— Heather McKenna's tongue-in-cheek Facebook status update that earned her a visit from a Portage County sheriff’s deputy.

Long-distance rigs passing through Seville on I-76 can now fill up with liquefied natural gas.

The first pumps offering this alternative fuel opened in early April. The station is one of four being opened in Ohio by California-based Clean Energy.

city watch

by Rodney Wilson

Portage County police paid a visit to a woman who jokingly Facebooked she would “murder” her husband for using vinegar, an odor she dislikes. The

woman had been Myspacing detailed plans to murder her husband for the past year, but those posts had gone completely unnoticed.

An Akron woman stabbed her boyfriend in the back, then called the police on herself to get him help. The girlfriend is being held on two counts of assault and one count of using substances that make you think calling the police on yourself is a good idea.

FirstEnergy Corp. is the new title sponsor of The All-American Soap Box Derby. More than 500 boys and girls from the U.S. and around the world will descend on Akron July 21 for the 75th running of this gravity-powered car race.

An Akron burglar broke into the Eastern Cali Ice Cream Stand, stole $360 in cash and got away with an undetermined amount of popsicles. Police suspect a group of local Paleo (aka Caveman) dieters have become more militant in their assault on the so-called “dangers of sugar.”

We Know Larry, and He’s No Larry Next time you buy Quaker Oats, the familiar man on the label might look a little less plump than you remembered .

The jovial, white-haired icon, known as “Larry,” has gotten a makeover, thanks to designers at Hornall Anderson.

This Seattle-based firm slimmed down the Quaker Oats man and made him appear younger.

pas in hospitality etiquette and, in response, polite society will shun the man until further notice.

An Akron man, whose crotch-grabbing, middle finger-flipping mug shot was posted on Facebook to local fame, has expressed regret. “I realize now that BEFORE

AFTER

The 135-year-old icon looks pretty good for his age but — to us — the new Larry doesn’t exactly look like the kind of guy you could sit with and eat a plate of oatmeal cookies.

10

akronlife

A Stark County man handed over his guest’s gun to local police, leading to the houseguest’s arrest for receiving stolen goods. The move was considered a faux

may 2012

grabbing my crotch was enough,” the young man said. “The middle finger was excessive and in poor taste and, I understand, it reflected poorly on me.”

subject matter

by Abby Cymerman

Give It a Shot

/ Grab your point-and-shoot, and make a date with Mother Nature. /

>>

If you enjoy photographing beautiful landscapes (or are an avid hiker), you might want to check out Ian Adams’ new book, “A Photographer’s Guide to Ohio.”

WHATCHA GOT IN THERE? 5 camera bag necessities you might not have considered 1. Map. “You need to know how to navigate the old-fashioned way!” says landscape photographer Ian Adams.

2. Flip-flops. “Inevitably, I’ll end up with wet shoes as the result of a quest to obtain an angle for a shot that puts me in the middle of a swamp, puddle or lake,” says area portrait photographer Felicia Lewis. “The shoot isn’t a success until my soles squish.”

photo by Ian Adams

>>A Cuyahoga Falls resident, Adams trekked to some of Ohio’s most breathtaking scenes and captured his favorites for the book.

Whether your goal is to visit a waterfall or a rural setting, Adams shares his best advice — from which season produces the best pics to how to respectfully shoot photos in Amish Country.

First printed last summer by Ohio University Press, the guide sold out after two months and is currently in its second printing.

12

akronlife

3. A 4x5 white card, a fat rubber band or two, a PC cord and Vivitar 283 flash (’70s vintage) and a tripod.

“I used these items to do yummy-looking food shots in restaurants,” says former akronlife photographer Ray Saviciunas.

4. An extra pair of pants. “I’ve heard horror stories of split pants,” says akronlife and wedding photographer Shane Wynn. “The show must go on during a wedding; you can’t miss a beat.”

5. Band-Aids. “[They] come in handy if you get bitten by a snake, as I did on an assignment once,” says area freelance photographer Bruce Ford. “I also had to get a tetanus shot. Not pleasant.”

WHY SHOOT OHIO? Adams breaks it down by the numbers 1 million acres of woodlands in Wayne National Forest 7 national parks 20 state forests 74 state parks covering 164,000 acres in 60 counties 108 state wildlife areas covering 135,000 acres 130+ covered bridges 134 state nature preserves 700 miles of scenic Ohio rivers 3,800 landmark buildings on the National Register of Historic Places (3rd highest in the U.S.) A lot of historic barns and grist mills World’s largest Amish farming community

Is that a venomous snake?

Yes, if its: t Head is distinctly triangular. t Pupils are elliptical (not round). t Has pits as well as nostrils. t Tail ends in a rattle (except for the copperhead).

For more on distinguishing between venomous and nonvenomous snakes in NEO, check out www.flipseekllc. com/wildohio2009reptiles.html. Click “Next” for a table of contents, and click page 48 for a diagram of the differences.

Comments? E-mail them to editor@bakermediagroup.com. may 2012

the interview

by Abby Cymerman and photo by Shane Wynn

Eric Anthony Johnson / Executive Director, University Park Alliance/

>> Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird … It’s a plane … Wait!

It’s an urban redevelopment entrepreneur!

>> The last time you saw Eric Johnson, he was probably hanging around at We Gallery.

On the wall, that is.

The executive director of University Park Alliance was one of the local movers-andshakers featured in the not-so-typical gallery show, “Men & Women of the Apex: Leaders of the Bio-Innovation Corridor.”

In his portrait, Johnson was wearing a cape and a costume with a familiar “S” design.

Though Johnson donned the Superman costume solely for the photo shoot, he is tackling some superhuman issues, like the revitalization of University Park, the 50-block urban neighborhood surrounding The University of Akron — a project that some consider a risky proposition. But not him.

“It’s not much of a gamble to place your wager on a place that has all the assets needed to be successful,” he says. “I see Akron as a place that’s a sure bet.”

Johnson is so confident about Akron’s future that when he came here in 2010, he moved his family — his wife, 8-month-old son and 12-year-old daughter — into the University Park neighborhood.

“How can I expect anyone to live or move into University Park if I don’t live there myself?” he asks.

You’re an urban redevelopment entrepreneur. What does that mean to you?

EJ: My perspective on solving urban development challenges is grounded in an enduring blend of personal humility and passion needed to make the endeavor successful.

Urban development is hard work. You have to come to this profession ready to roll up your sleeves and bring everything you have in your skill-set box to the table because you’ll face enormous challenges.

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akronlife

may 2012

If I weren’t an urban redevelopment entrepreneur, I’d be ...

EJ: A NASCAR driver. I love fast cars and have a passion for muscle cars — Ford Mustangs, in particular.

Why did you choose to take on this role in Akron?

EJ: Because of the potential I see here. …

University Park is anchored by UA, the hospital systems, new schools, supported by cohesive and collaborative leadership, and great support from the Knight Foundation.

What do you envision for University Park?

EJ: I see the framework for a future community rooted in a dynamic place anchored by educational and medical institutions that are and will be critical to building a strong local economy that can compete for talent and jobs well into the 21st century.

Why were you pictured as Superman in your photo for “Men & Women of the Apex”?

EJ: I’m a huge Superman fan. I grew up reading the comic books and collect lots of Superman stuff. The photographer got wind [of this] and thought it’d be fun to … show a different side [of me] and have fun doing it.

What super power would you want?

EJ: I’d have the exact powers Superman has.

Superman can destroy nuclear weapons, so I’d use my powers to destroy this world threat to mankind once and for all.

Akron used to be the Rubber Capital of the World. What would you like the city to be known for in the coming years?

EJ: As a city that can adapt to constant change. It’s a place where the people and its leadership will never rest on their laurels and will always give 100 percent to ensure Akron is a great place to live, do business and raise a family.

Some might call you a “cockeyed optimist.”

EJ: Optimist, yes. Cockeyed, no. I’d say I’m an ‘intelligent optimist.’ I don’t deny problems; I just try and adjust to them while seeking an opportunity for progress. I see the opportunity here in Akron. I don’t allow myself to get carried away by circumstances I can’t change. I instead focus on things within my grasp. I also know that for every problem, there’s (at least the beginning of ) a solution, and the search for that solution can be inspirational in itself.

What’s your biggest challenge in making your vision for University Park happen?

EJ: Executing the plan in a consistent and timely manner to convey to the citizens that we have the ability to do great things in Akron based on the great assets we have in place. I understand that the proof is in the pudding, and the belief hurdle is one we have to climb. I’m OK with that; it comes with the territory.

What would surprise people about you?

EJ: I’m a huge science-fiction fan. I’m talking about the old stuff, like ‘Creature from the Black Lagoon’ and ‘War of the Worlds.’ The new stuff isn’t as creative.

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I hear you’re a Star Trek fanatic. When it comes to leadership skills, are you a Captain Kirk or a Captain Picard?

EJ: Picard brought more analysis and thought to the role while Kirk was more aggressive in his direct style. I tend to combine the two in my leadership approach.

However, if Captain Kirk would’ve encountered the BORG like Picard did and had the opportunity to destroy them on first contact, he would have. Picard didn’t, and the BORG went on to wreak havoc. Star Trek fans will know what I’m talking about.

Did you feel guilty posing as Superman and not as a Trekkie?

EJ: Not one bit. Besides, I wanted it for my son to frame it and put in his room. / Writer Abby Cymerman is assistant editor of akronlife. Like Johnson, she understands the mystique of the superhero persona. She was photographed in a Wonder Woman costume for Halloween when she was 7.

Comments?

E-mail them to editor@bakermediagroup.com.

www.akronlife.com

15

speak easy

by Rodney Wilson

Baby Talk

/ My wife and I are control freaks. Sadly for us, Mother Nature and newborns don’t respect schedules. /

We had it all planned out and knew how it was going to go. With two kids at home, the birth of our son would hardly be our first rodeo.

When the arrival of our firstborn daughter went a bit sideways (literally — the kid was “transverse,” fancy talk for “sitting sideways inside mom”), we rolled with the punches and welcomed our first child to the world via a surprise C-section.

When the nurse announced our second daughter was breech (that’s butt-first, y’all) and the doctor suggested a C-section, we knew the drill.

So when our son’s existence was confirmed by a pair of pink lines on a plastic stick, we called the doctor and set the delivery date.

They reserved a surgery room for one C-section on Saturday, Sept.

17, at 10 a.m. Easy-peasy. Save the date, we’ll get groceries on Friday and pack on Friday night.

Some people like adventure and uncertainty. They thrive on chaos, excel when things get willy-nilly. My wife and I are not these people. There’s a calendar in every room of our house decreeing a schedule to which we adhere religiously. It’s undeniable that, as small business owners with an endless stream of side work, not knowing what comes next is not an option. But there’s also a chicken-versus-egg scenario at play in which one could argue we were drawn to our harried lifestyle by an overwhelming need to bring order to the great, 16

akronlife

random chaos of 21st-century living.

Whatever, we have control issues.

Not surprisingly then, we had that week all planned out: birthday outing with our soonto-be middle child on Thursday, birthday party with grandma and grandpa on Friday, hospital on Saturday. We even penciled in some last-minute jitters for Friday night — but they’d have to happen early evening, since we needed our eight hours to be ready for the hospital Saturday at 10 a.m.

If you’ve ever watched TV sitcoms, you know the pop-culture trope that childbirth provides comedy writers, down to the appropriate laugh-track cues: “My water broke!” followed by some Dick Van Dyke-style rushing around the house, speeding to the hospital, “I love you/I hate you/I love you/I hate you,” followed by a beautiful baby and ... scene.

That we didn’t get to participate in this culturally approved rite of passage would get us down from time to time, but the blow was softened by the statistic rattled off at our very first birthing class many years ago: One in three pregnancies ends in a C-section.

And knowing how to schedmay 2012

ule our Friday was a workable trade-off.

But then Friday started earlier than scheduled when my wife shook me awake at 5:30 in the morning and stage-whispered, “Honey ... I think my water just broke!” Which was followed by some Dick Van Dyke-style rushing around the house, a harried drive to the hospital that blatantly disregarded 76 West’s speed signage, followed by a doctor saying, “Yeah, you’re not gonna make it ‘til tomorrow.”

We didn’t break so much from script that we circumvented the C-section, but the whole thing was capped off with a beautiful baby.

That old saying about the bestlaid plans is never more true than in those final days of a pregnancy. We didn’t make the birthday party, came home to an

empty refrigerator and completely missed our window of opportunity for those last-minute jitters — but we couldn’t have been happier. Even a control freak like myself isn’t immune to the wonder of nature disregarding personal schedules to usher a new person into the world.

Turns out, sometimes unpredictability can be good. / Rodney Wilson is a local freelance writer and coffee shop owner who, when not producing articles or making cappuccinos, spends his time trying to remember what a night of unbroken sleep is like.

His newborn son, Bowman Carter Wilson, is healthy, happy and irresistibly cuddly.

Comments?

E-mail them to editor@bakermediagroup.com.

You would do anything to keep them safe...

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4322 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd. Norton, OH 44203 www.akronlife.com

17

outside

by Amy Antenora Greathouse

Happy Trails to You

/ Dust off those hiking boots! This book offers lots of options for a NEO nature walk. /

Whether you’re a novice hiker or an experienced trailblazer, author Diane Stresing can likely teach you something you didn’t know.

From a trail you’ve never heard of to some tidbit of historic trivia about your favorite local park, Stresing’s second edition of “60 Hikes Within 60 Miles” is a fun, easy read, packed with helpful details about the best parks and hiking trails in Cleveland, Akron and Canton. The book also will be included in the initial Menasha Ridge Press titles released through ViewRanger for Apple, Android and other smart phones — making the guidebook more portable than ever.

Glacial Rock Formations Nature’s Original Rorschach It’s not just four seasons of beauty you can observe while hiking in Northeast Ohio. You can also make some interesting observations about the human mind — your own. Next time you’re on a trail that features some of the area’s massive glacial sandstone formations, take a second look at the shapes and textures carved by time. You just might see a friendly face or two.

“One thing that always captures my imagination on the trail is how we reflect nature and how it can seem to reflect or respond to us,” says Stresing. A perfect example of this is the friendly little ogre Stresing stumbled upon one day along the Beech-Maple Trail in Indian Hollow Reservation, one of the Lorain County Metro Parks.

Close Encounters While she never actually spotted any live bears herself (“The only bear I’ve observed is a statue in Seneca Park,” Stresing says with a laugh), she cautions readers to look out for black bears and poisonous snakes. Here are a few cool, but far less scary, creatures you also might spot.

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akronlife

may 2012

Great Blue Herons River Otters Coyotes (more often heard than seen) Red and Grey Foxes

Beaver Marsh

The Secret (Past) Lives of Parks Beaver Marsh at Ira Road Towpath Trailhead — Once a town dumping ground, the area was reclaimed by some industrious beavers who brought nature back into balance.

Bath Nature Preserve — Formerly the Raymond Firestone Estate, Bath Township purchased the 410-acre parcel in the late ’90s.

The Gorge Metro Park — Previously named The High Bridge Glens Park, the wild and rocky Gorge once featured a roller coaster and a dance hall.

Muskrats White Tailed Deer Minks Bats

Salamanders Spotted Turtles Wild Turkeys Groundhogs

www.akronlife.com

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may 2012 / vol. 10 / issue 5

Twenty-four percent of homes with lawns have some sort of lawn ornament.

AGENDA the essential social digest

5/23 B ONNIE RAITT,

5/15 W HAT IS H YPNOSIS?

WITH SPECIAL GUEST

Join this interactive presentation by former Plain Dealer Locker Room “Mind Games” columnist and certified hypnotherapist Darlene Downs. Registration suggested. Nordonia Hills/ Akron-Summit County Public Library, 9458 Olde Eight Rd., Northfield. 7 p.m. Free. www.akronlibrary.org/ nordoniahills

M ARC C OHN

A nine-time Grammywinner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Raitt has undeniably changed the landscape of soul, rock and blues. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. $37.50$75.50. (330) 253-2488

5/26 WEIRDFEST 2012 5/5 T HE NORTHSIDE FASHION S HOW Fusing fun, fashion and art all evening long. Northside Lofts, 21 Furnace St., Akron. 7 p.m. $30 ticket includes fashion show access, drink tokens and a NOTO gift. www.zelionoto.com

Come to this alternative arts and crafts “bizarre” and a celebration of the unusual. DevilStrip Dolly’s Weird Arts & Oddities, 923 Bank St., Akron. 11 a.m.7 p.m. Free. 330-730-5950

5/26 J OURNEY TO THE REEF G RAND O PENING Get nose-to-nose with reef animals including lion fish, sea horses, octopus, eels, jellyfish and clown fish. Akron Zoo, 500 Edgewood Ave., Akron. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Regular admission rates apply; free for members. www.akronzoo.org

T HROUGH 5/13, 6TH A NNUAL IMAGE TO IMAGE E XHIBIT

5/19 6TH MEDINA CHALK ART FESTIVAL Art demonstrations, entertainment, and the chance to create your own masterpiece in the Square! Judging begins at 3 p.m. Public Square, Medina. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. www.mainstreetmedina.com

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akronlife

The power of the image is not in the camera, but in the hands of the photographer — and in this case, 15 students in Lee Horrisberger’s digital photography class at Walsh University.

Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon.

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

330-833-4061

may 2012

5/13 I NAUGURAL M OTHER’ S D AY 5K This event benefits the Metro Parks Foundation. Munroe Falls Metro Park, Lake Area, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls.

8 a.m. $20. 330-865-8065

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

Through 5/5 The Project and the Draft This show focuses on the different paths artists take on the way to a completed artwork by showing both the original draft and the completed project. Peninsula Art Academy, 1600 W. Mill St., Peninsula. Weds.-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs., 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Free. www. peninsulaartacademy.com

Through 5/20 Studio M Exhibition See ”Image to Image,” a collection by Walsh photojournalism students. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. Tues.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 2-5 p.m.

Free. massillonmuseum.org Through 5/27 Ray Turner: Population A unique exhibition of nearly 200 portraits of a wide crosssection of people from across the country, including several downtown Akron residents, executed with oil paint on glass. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Weds.-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $5-$7; free for members and children 12 and under. www.AkronArtMuseum.org Through 5/27 That’s Entertainment exhibit Look back at how Stark County residents amused themselves in the past: German singing societies, Meyers Lake, Mother Gooseland, theaters, opera houses, parades, festivals and more. Wm. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW, Canton. Call for times and prices. www.mckinleymuseum.org

Through 5/15 Community Art Project: Peace Crane Contribute an origami crane to this summer’s community art display of 1,000 pieces. Use your own recycled paper — or stop by the Visitors Center to pick up an instruction packet — and start folding!

Drop off your completed cranes during open hours. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron.

Free. Call 330-865-8065 for details.

Through 6/3 Stranger in Paradise: The Works of Reverend Howard Finster This is the first major retrospective of the folk art icon, offering visitors an in-depth look at the life and career of a visionary artist represented in the museum’s collection. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Weds.-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $5-$7; free for members and children 12 and under. www.AkronArtMuseum. org Through 6/7 Keep Akron Beautiful’s 9th annual Dreamscape Raffle Now is the time for owners of Summit County businesses or residences to enter to win a professionally designed front or back yard makeover valued at $10,000. Runner-up prizes

include four yards of mulch or compost blown into landscaped beds, a birdbath and a basket of gardening supplies. The winning ticket will be drawn 6/7 at 10:30 a.m., Alexander Park, West Market Street, Akron. Tickets are $25 each or five for $100. www.keepakronbeautiful.org Through 6/15 Spring Show 2012 The Women’s Art League of Akron presents this annual exhibit. A reception with the artists will be 5/4, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Seiberling Gallery at Hines Hill Center, 1403 W. Hines Hill Rd., Peninsula. Free. 330-657-2909

Through 6/24 “Making Sense of Science: The Sounds of Teaching and Studenting in Four Urban Classrooms” This exhibit is the result of an ongoing study in four classrooms in the Akron Public School District conducted by Kent State Professor Walter S. Gershon. Now in its fourth and final year, it was conceived in response to national concerns about disparities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and science professions for girls, women and people of color. Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation Galleries, 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 all major holidays. $7 adults, $5 students and seniors, free for members and children 12 and under. www. akronartmuseum.org

I am reason enough Join Child Guidance & Family Solutions (CG&FS) to bring counseling and care to children, teens and adults who are struggling with behavioral and emotional issues.

Get involved. Support CG&FS and show your commitment to a healthier, stronger community.

One child is reason enough.

To learn more, visit cgfs.org, or call 330-384-2882 to make a donation today.

Now offering extended weekday and weekend hours. www.akronlife.com

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Debra Winger was the voice of E.T.

Through 7/8 String of Hearts: Photographs by Bea Nettles Nettles’ photographs often depict intimate family life, yet also speak to the broad ideas of what it means to be a mother, teacher and artist, which she describes as her greatest roles. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Weds.-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $5-$7; free for members and children 12 and under. www.

AkronArtMuseum.org Through 8/26 “On the Home Front: Civil War Fashions & Domestic Life Through the display of women’s and children’s costumes, supplemented with photographs, decorative arts and women’s magazines, this exhibit focuses on the daily life and experiences of the American civilian population during the Civil War. Kent State University Museum, Broadbent Gallery, 515 Hilltop Dr., Kent. Call for times. $3-$5; free for children under 7; KSU students, staff and faculty; and on Sunday. www.kent.edu/ museum Through 10/7 “A Day at the Beach” The image of women at the seaside in elegant white gowns was a popular subject for Impressionist painters.

This exhibit explores the reality of summer tourism with a selection of actual garments dating from the 1860s-1910s. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Dr., Kent. Call for dates, times and ticket prices. www.kent.edu/museum

5/2 Day Book Club This month’s selection is “Bliss Remembered” by Frank DeFord. Bring a friend. Barberton Public Library, 602 W. Park Ave., Barberton. 10:30 a.m. Free. www.barbertonlibrary. org 5/2 Josh Buskirk Instrumental blues guitar. The Winery at Wolf Creek, 2637 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Norton. 7-9 p.m. Free. 800-436-0426 5/2 Akron Aeros vs. Binghamton Mets Root for the home team! Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. 7:05 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www.akronaeros.com 5/3-5/20 “See How They Run” Against a backdrop of mistaken identities and outrageous situations, you’ll meet a former actress, her husband the vicar, a Cockney maid and a woman whose lips have never touched alcohol — all of whom create blissful hilarity.

Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron. Call for showtimes. $15-$21. 330-836-2626 5/3 Knit for the Needy With the help of Judi Hederich from My Sister’s Yarn Shop, knitters of all skill level are encouraged to attend. All items created are given to Green Good Neighbors. Yarn is provided; bring your own knitting needles or crochet hooks and a covered dish to share for lunch. Coffee, tea and water provided. John Torok Senior/Community Center, 4224 Town Park Blvd., Green. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free. www.cityofgreen.org

Through 10/7 The Art of Living Beautifully – Finer Things: Jewelry & Accessories from the 1880s-1930s Guest-curated by Elyse Karlin.

The centerpiece of the exhibit is F.A. Seiberling’s “Presentation Watch,” given to him in 1928. Other pieces include exquisite examples of necklaces, brooches, earrings and bracelets of the era, as well as clothing, fans, hats, hatpins and purses. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. Tues.Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Call for ticket prices. www. stanhywet.org

5/1-6/30 Spree For All Hikers on foot and those with strollers, wheelchairs, walkers and canes will enjoy flat, easy trails during this 9th annual hiking series.

Complete at least five hikes to receive rewards. For info, call 330-865-8065 or visit summitmetroparks.org.

5/1-10/28 Citrus Garden: Luxury of the Day A luxury that only those with means could afford, this exhibit focuses on the history and use of indoor citrus gardens (orangeries), which were popular at fashionable residences during the early 20th century.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Call for ticket prices. www.stanhywet.org 5/1 Akron Aeros vs. Binghamton Mets Root for the home team! Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. 7:05 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www.akronaeros.com 5/2 Heart-Healthy Hike A naturalist answers your nature and history questions on this steady stroll of the 1.8-mile Glens Trail. Gorge Metro Park, Main Entrance, 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. 10 a.m.

Free. 330-865-8065

5/4 and 5/5, 5/11-5/13, 5/18 and 5/19 “The Secret Garden” Young Mary Lennox is sent to live with her uncle and cousin following the death of her parents.

While living at the manor house, Mary discovers a secret walled garden hidden in the grounds and releases the magic and adventures locked inside. The Hudson Players, The Barlow Community Center, 41 S. Oviatt St., Hudson. 8 p.m. (5/13 at 2 p.m.) $12-$14. www.hudsonplayers.com

5/4-5/11 Absolute Art Auction Works by over 75 international and regional artists will be auctioned off silently throughout the week to benefit the Akron Art Museum.

Bidding closes 5/11 with a vodka tasting party from 5:30-7:30 p.m. 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. $10 charge to place a bid or attend the closing party. www.harrisstantongallery.com 5/4-5/12 “Miss Nelson Has a Field Day” Viola Swamp, the meanest substitute teacher in the whole world, returns to Horace B. Smedley School and finds the Smedley Tornadoes haven’t scored a single point all season. Will “The Swamp” turn them from football zeroes to heroes? For ages 5 and up. Magical Theatre Company, 565 Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton. Call for showtimes. $9-$13. www.magicaltheatre.org

5/3 Classic Movie Night “A Streetcar Named Desire” Join Randy “Robert Osborne” Bergdorf for a showing of Tennessee William’s drama about a faded Southern belle who is forced to move in with her sister and boorish brother-in-law.

Peninsula Library, 6105 Riverview Rd., Peninsula. 6:30 p.m. Free. 330-657-2291 5/3 Film Screening: “Rock My Religion” Preacher and artist Howard Finster and rock band R.E.M. may seem like strange collaborators, but artist Dan Graham’s video art piece “Rock My Religion” makes a strong argument that religion and rock are more interconnected than we think. The film features original music by Glenn Branca and Sonic Youth.

Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. 7 p.m. Free. www.AkronArtMuseum.org 5/3 Akron Aeros vs. Binghamton Mets Root for the home team! Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. 7:05 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www.akronaeros.com

5/4, 5/11, 5/18 and 5/25 Bird Walk: Friday Firestone Feathers & Friends For new and experienced birdwatchers. Join a naturalist every Friday morning for spring bird walks along the Tuscarawas River migratory flyway. Binoculars recommended. Firestone Metro Park, Tuscarawas Meadows Area, 2620 Harrington Rd., Akron. 7:30 a.m. Free. 330-865-8065 5/4 Show and Tell Me a Story For kids 1 and older.

Join a naturalist for this story time with puppets, songs, activities and a craft. Registration begins 4/27.

F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron. 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Free. 330865-8065 5/4 Jammin for Justice All ages show. Under 21 pays $2 additional at door. Rock/pop music. Musica, 51 E. Market St., Akron. 6:30 p.m. $12.50 advance tickets. www.akronmusica.com

5/5 and 5/6 Coppelia The Ballet Theatre of Ohio presents this light-hearted whimsical ballet filled with old world charm. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. Sat., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. $18-$40. www.akroncivic.com

5/5 and 5/6 The 21st Annual International Battle of Magicians Spectacular magic acts from around the world, including Jason Hudy, Kerry Pollock, Eric Buss, Trigg Watson, Amber Alberts, Mr. Mysto and the battle award winner. Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton. Sat. show, 8 p.m. Sun. show, 2 p.m. $25. www.battleofmagicians.com 5/5 Kinderealm: Bees Children 3 to 6 and adult companions will learn about one of nature’s busiest creatures. Includes a hike and craft. Registration begins 4/26. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron. 10:30 a.m. Free. 330865-8065 5/5 The Almost-Vegetarian Tourist Many of us are limiting our meat intake for health, economic or environmental reasons. Utilizing vegetables, legumes and grains is delicious, healthy, cheap and sustainable. Join Chef Carla Snyder for a flavorful tour of the rich world of almost-vegetarian cuisine.

The Cucina at Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $75. 330-497-1000

5/5 Irv Korman Book Signing Local theater critic Irv Korman will discuss and sign copies of his new book, “I was Jerry Lewis’ Bodyguard for 10 Minutes! … And Other Celebrity Encounters.” Complete with photos, quotes and glimpses into the world of fame, this is a must-read for anyone who wants to know what it’s like to meet a celebrity. Learned Owl Book Shop, 204 N. Main St., Hudson. 1-3 p.m. Free. www.learnedowl.com

New for 2012 6DYY\ :RPHQ &OXE It’s time there was an environment specifically designed to help women become more financially engaged in their lives.

Paula R. Chesser, CSA® Senior Investment Consultant Robert W. Baird & Co.

That’s why I created my 6DYY\ :RPHQ &OXE

3875 Embassy Parkway Suite 300 Akron, OH 44333

My 6DYY\ :RPHQ &OXE is a community where women can have fun and feel comfortable asking questions, deepen their financial knowledge and gain a greater understanding of their financial lives. The club promotes interactive communication and education in small group settings so you can explore and learn unfamiliar financial topics in a familiar and comfortable environment.

330-664-5500 . 877-792-7868 pchesser@rwbaird.com paulachesser.com

Join me at an upcoming 6DYY\ :RPHQ &OXE Event.

Visit paulachesser.com and click on the 6DYY\ :RPHQ &OXE link for membership and event details.

©2012 Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated. Member SIPC. MC-34518. www.akronlife.com

23

The Muppet Show was banned from TV in Saudi Arabia because one of its stars was a pig.

5/5 Wildflowers from in the Saddle Bring your own horse and tack to learn about local flowers with a naturalist. Registration begins 4/24. Silver Creek Metro Park, Boathouse, 5171 S. Medina Line Rd., Akron. 2 p.m. Free. 330-865-8065 5/5 Akron Rotary Camp Open House Families can see camp in action, meet the staff and determine what program is right for them. Call to RSVP or to schedule a personal tour. Akron Rotary Camp, 4460 Rex Lake Dr., Akron. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Free. 330-6444512

5/5 NEO Roller Derby bout Watch NEO Roller Derby take on other leagues from Ohio and surrounding states. All home bouts are double-headers. Summit County Fairgrounds Arena, 1100 North Ave., Tallmadge. Doors open at 5 p.m. $12 advance; $15 at the door; free for kids 12 and under. www.neorollerderby.com 5/5 Resnik CLC’s Annual Reverse Raffle/Auction Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with friends of Resnik CLC and raise money for the school. Todaro’s Party Center, 1820 Akron-Peninsula Rd., Akron. 7-11 p.m.

For details, call the school at 330-873-3370.

5/5 The Features All ages show. Under 21 pays $2 additional at door. Rock/pop music. Musica, 51 E. Market St., Akron. 8 p.m. $9.99 advance tickets. www.akronmusica.com 5/5 Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto Live NCM Fathom, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Golden Boy Promotions are bringing Floyd “Money” Mayweather face to face with Miguel Cotto. And don’t miss Canelo Alvarez as he takes on Sugar Shane Mosley. Cinemark 15, 8161 Macedonia Commons Blvd., Macedonia; Tinseltown USA 290, 4720 Mega St. NW, N. Canton.

9 p.m. Log on for ticket prices. www.fathomevents. com

5/6 Bicentennial FallsQuest 2012 The North Eastern Ohio Orienteering Club and Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation invite you to join one of three different ways to explore Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake: a free 2-hour family-friendly trek, a 3-hour bicycle trek or a 4-hour competitive foot race. The event begins and ends at the Natatorium, 2345 4th St., Cuyahoga Falls.

For start times, entry fees and registration info, log on to fallsquest.weebly.com 5/6 Whole Wheat Bread for Beginners Are you tired of airy, tasteless supermarket breads that claim to be “healthy” but are merely a step above “cotton bread”?

Chef Kathy Lehr will show her students how to make healthy, whole-grain breads in their own kitchen.

The Cucina at Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $75. 330-497-1000 5/6 2012 Heartland Heroes Celebration The American Red Cross of Medina County is honoring local heroes who have performed extraordinary acts of courage to save a life or have committed countless hours to a special cause. Weymouth Country Club, 3946 Weymouth Rd., Medina Township. Noon-3 p.m. $40 adults; $15 children 5-12; free for kids under 5.

330-723-4565 24

akronlife

5/6 Spring at Springfield Bog Join a naturalist for a springtime discovery of what’s happening in the prairie. Wear shoes that can get muddy, and bring binoculars. Springfield Bog Metro Park, 1400 Portage Line Rd., Springfield Twp. 1 p.m. Free. 330-865-8065

5/8 Stroller Walk Make nature discoveries, and experience spring wildflowers, flowering trees and birds with a naturalist on this one-mile stroller walk.

The paved trail is child-friendly, and socializing is encouraged. Bike & Hike Trail, SR 91 lot, 130 N. Main St., Munroe Falls. 10:30 a.m. Free. 330-865-8065

5/6 Wildflowers at The Ledges Join naturalists to search for wildflowers that have returned since this land was preserved. Bring cameras and binoculars.

Liberty Park, Twinsburg Ledges Area, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg. 2 p.m. Free. 330865-8065

5/8 Women’s Network: Medina Lunch with a Notable Woman This month’s guest is Carole Kowell, director of the Medina County District Library. Register by 5/4. Weymouth Country Club, 3946 Weymouth Rd., Medina. 11:30 a.m.1 p.m. $20 members; $23 non-members. www. womensnetworkneohio.com

5/6 He Is We All ages show. No underage fee.

Rock/pop music. With opening acts Deas Vail, Windsor Drive and A Minor Bird. Musica, 51 E. Market St., Akron. 8 p.m. $13 advance tickets. www. akronmusica.com 5/7-5/11 Streetsboro Student Art Show Presented by the People’s Alliance for Streetsboro Schools, this exhibit features art by students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Robinson Memorial Health Center, 9318 SR 14, Streetsboro. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Free. www.streetsboropass.org

5/7 Kinderealm: Bees Children 3 to 6 and adult companions will learn about one of nature’s busiest creatures. Includes a hike and craft. Goodyear Heights Metro Park, Pavilion, 2077 Newton St., Akron. 10:30 a.m. Free. 330-865-8065

5/8 Off Season Market A great place to shop for pastries, grass-fed beef, pork and free-range chicken, blade sharpening, vegetarian patties, pierogies, sausage sandwiches and eggs. John Torok Community/Senior Center, 4224 Massillon Rd., Green. 3:30-6:30 p.m. Free. www. cityofgreen.org 5/8 Akron Aeros vs. Erie SeaWolves Root for the home team! Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. 7:05 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www.akronaeros.com

5/7 Brian Henke Fingerstyle guitar. The Winery at Wolf Creek, 2637 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Norton.

7-9 p.m. Free. 800-436-0426 5/7 Akron Aeros vs. Erie SeaWolves Root for the home team! Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. 7:05 p.m. Free tickets available at Subway. Otherwise, $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www.akronaeros.com 5/8-5/18 “The Mystery of the Missing Robot” A world premiere of Weathervane’s next installment of its Very Young Audiences Program, which features plays for preschool and young audiences and their families. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron. Call for showtimes. $8. 330-836-2626 5/8 Joyology Club People who share in joylogy are healthy, happy, grateful and optimistic individuals who have learned to celebrate life in all the circumstances of daily living. Stop in, have a cup of coffee and refreshments with us, and share something happy! Peninsula Library, 6105 Riverview Rd., Peninsula. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free. www. peninsulalibrary.org

may 2012

5/8 “Weird Al” Yankovic’s The Alpocalypse Tour The biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time is returning to Northeastern Ohio, having been nominated for two Grammy Awards including Best Comedy Album and Best Short Form Video.

Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. $27.50-$65. www.akroncivic.com 5/9 Akron Aeros vs. Erie SeaWolves Root for the home team, plus Education Day! Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. 10:35 a.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www. akronaeros.com

5/9 University Park Alliance Annual Luncheon Gallup chairman and CEO Jim Clifton is the keynote speaker. In his book, “The Coming Jobs War,” he predicts that the next economic breakthrough in the U.S. will come from a combination of the forces within cities, great universities and powerful local leaders. Quaker Station, 135 S. Broadway St., Akron. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $20-$50. www.upakron.com 5/9 Lake YMCA Event and Reception Meet Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur at a special reception. Appetizers, silent auction and preferred seating in the Lake Community Performing Arts Hall. Lake Community YMCA, 11928 King Church Ave., Uniontown. Reception, 5:30 p.m., $125; main event, 6:30 p.m., $25-$45. 330-877-8933 5/9 Intransit Latin jazz, rhythm and blues. The Winery at Wolf Creek, 2637 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Norton. 7-9 p.m. Free. 800-436-0426

5/10-6/3 “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” From “I’ll Call You Soon” to “Always a Bridesmaid” to “I Can Live With That,” this musical finds the laughter in every dating and mating situation. Actors’ Summit, 103 High St., 6th Floor, Akron.

Call for times. $17-$30. 330-374-7568 5/10-6/3 “Move Over, Mrs. Markham” From Ray Cooney and John Chapman, the playwrights who brought you “Not Now, Darling,” a doorslamming farce about a conservative couple who are beleaguered by their philandering friends. Coach House Theater, 732 W. Exchange St., Akron. Call for showtimes. $12-$18. 330-434-7741

5/10 Little Mountain Brewery Beer Class Bob Weber, owner of this Cleveland brewery, will introduce students to Paul Bunyan “Logger”, Belgian Wit, Summer Wheat, Melonhead and St. Graal Belgian Tripel. The classes are offered at the restaurant’s communal table, and familystyle appetizers are served. The Rail, 3265 W. Market St., Akron. Call for class time. $12 pre-paid. 330-864-7245

'5,9( /(66

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25

The billionth digit of pi is 9.

5/10 “Listening Into Wholeness” Workshop Holistic psychologist, minister and storyteller, Dr. Kathleen Pichola discusses the importance of listening to ourselves. Then, financial advisor Stacey Zahoranski continues the topic, as it relates to money, saving, investing for our financial futures and teaching our children to be good stewards of money.

Complimentary cupcakes and champagne! Portage Country Club, 240 N. Portage Path, Akron. 5:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m. Free. RSVP to Stacey Zahoranski at 330-668-7746.

5/10 Cookbook Exchange Find the cookbooks of your dreams, and let your unused cookbooks become treasures for others. Bring up to three cookbooks from your personal collection plus a dish to share. Registration required. Portage Lakes/ Akron-Summit County Public Library, 4261 Manchester Rd., Akron. 6:30 p.m. Free. www.akronlibrary.org 5/10 Akron Aeros vs. Harrisburg Senators Root for the home team! Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron.

7:05 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www.akronaeros.com

5/11 and 5/12 International Beer Fest The largest showcase and competition of world beers in the Midwest will feature three public tasting sessions with over 200 breweries from around the world pouring upwards of 800 select beers. I-X Center, Route 237, adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins Airport. Fri., 7-11 p.m.; Sat., 1-5 p.m. and 7-11 p.m. $10-$200. www.ixbeerfest.com

5/11-5/13 Visitor Appreciation Days Shop for moms, dads and grads, and receive 15 off all merchandise at the Nature Realm gift shop, specializing in USA-made, fair trade and eco-friendly items. The first 100 women visiting the shop Sunday receive a free flower for Mother’s Day. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron. 330-865-8065 5/11 AultCare Fast Break Breakfast Rob Steinberg will discuss the first annual Canton Marathon debuting in June. He’ll talk about getting the marathon “up and running,” events for you and your business, and how the marathon will bring health and fitness to residents and visitors alike. Meet new business contacts, and enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Bring a door prize valued at $15 or more, and you’ll star in your own 30-second commercial to promote your business. Courtyard by Marriot, 4375 Metro Cir. NW, North Canton. 7-9 a.m. $18-$25. 330-458-2070 5/11 Everything Spring Join a naturalist to look for migratory birds, colorful wildflowers and secretive amphibians. Bring binoculars and cameras. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron. 10:30 a.m. Free. 330-865-8065 5/11 A Night in Paris This fundraiser supports the Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties. Attendees will shop at the open-air markets of the Seine River (silent auction), bid on art at The Louvre, enjoy live entertainment and visit the “exclusive” Moulin Rouge Room! Williams on the Lake, 787 Lafayette Road, Medina. 6-9 p.m. $65; 2 for $100. 330-723-9610

5/11 Dutch Oven Cooking Join a naturalist and volunteers to learn recipes and see how to cook meals using a Dutch oven. Bring your plate and fork to sample the food. Firestone Metro Park, Tuscarawas Meadows Area, 2620 Harrington Rd., Akron. 7 p.m. Free. 330-865-8065 5/11 Akron Aeros vs. Harrisburg Senators Root for the home team! “Back To the Future” fireworks show post-game. Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. 7:05 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www.akronaeros.com

5/12-6/7 Sisters in Art Exhibit This group formed in 2007 as a group of 15 professional women artists showcasing classical and contemporary painting styles.

Their mission is to further the creative efforts of women artists in Northeast Ohio. This exhibition features original award-winning works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, graphite and mixed media.

Don’t miss the “Meet the Artist” reception, 5/19 from 4-6 p.m.

Don’t miss artist Susan Mencini’s demonstration, 6/2 from 1-3 p.m.

AKRONA Gallery, 1765 W. Market St., Akron. Log on for gallery hours. www.akrona.com

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5/12 and 5/13 Sesame Street Live: “1-2-3 Imagine! with Elmo & Friends” This highenergy musical will transport audiences to faraway places as Ernie captains the high seas, Elmo dances to the rhythm of the African rainforest and Bert meets an octopus who has the blues. Canton Memorial Civic Center. 1101 Market Ave. N, Canton. Sat., 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. $12$25. 330-489-3090]] 5/12 Fed Ex Custom Critical Kick Up Your Heels 5K & Stiletto Sprint The first 250 people who register for this ACCESS fundraiser receive a T-shirt and other goodies! Lock 3 Park, downtown Akron. 7 a.m. 5K: $25 pre-registered; $30 race day. 1M walk: $20 preregistered; $25 race day. 330-376-0997

5/12 6th Annual Hope Walk for Stewart’s Caring Place The 2.3 mile route starts and ends at the Fairlawn Community Center and circles Summit Mall. Proceeds help Stewart’s provide its support services, free-of-charge, to hundreds of individuals and families during their cancer journey.

Bicentennial Park, 3486 S. Smith Rd., Fairlawn. Registration, 7:30 a.m.; walk begins, 9:15 a.m. For details, email Sally Oneacre, Hope Walk Chair, at Sallyo689@ hotmail.com.

5/12 Bird Migration is Here Join naturalists and expert birding volunteers to view winged migrants at this local hot spot. Following a pie-iron breakfast, enjoy bird walks, crafts and more. Registration for breakfast begins 5/4. Firestone Metro Park, Tuscarawas Meadows Area, 2620 Harrington Rd., Akron. 7:30 a.m.-noon. Free. 330-865-8065 5/12 Extended Hike Join a volunteer to hike seven miles in Cascade Valley and Gorge Metro Park.

Cascade Valley Metro Park, Chuckery Area, 837 Cuyahoga St., Akron. 9 a.m. Free. 330-865-8065

5/12 Wildflowers at The Ledges Join a naturalist on the 1.1-mile Ledges Trail to identify spring wildflowers and discover their uses. Liberty Park, Twinsburg Ledges Area, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg. 10 a.m.

Free. 330-865-8065 5/12 Mogadore Friends of the Library Perennial Plant Exchange Spring is a great time to thin out your garden beds and add to them with interesting plants. Bring them to swap and/or share. Mogadore Branch Library, 144 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore.

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. 330-628-9228

5/12 Spring Tea: Hats & Fashion of the 1920s Travel back in time to the 1920s with guest speaker Kirklyn Kuzdrall, to see fashion through the seasons modeled

by Stan Hywet volunteers. Models will be dress in clothing and hats from Stan Hywet’s collection. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. 11 a.m. $28 members; $35 non-members. www.stanhywet.org

/RRN <RXU %HVW SKRWRIDFLDOV FKHPLFDO SHHOV ODVHU WKHUDS\ ERWR[ MXYHGHU P YHLQV YDVFXODU VNLQ FDUH SURGXFWV At Akron Skin Center we strive to provide the highest quality care using the most advanced technology in medical, cosmetic and laser treatments. Offering a variety of procedures, we can help you revitalize your skin’s natural glow.

We specialize in medical and cosmetic dermatology provided in an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. Our services include treatments for wrinkles, moles, skin cancer, acne, psoriasis and other skin, hair and nail diseases.

5/12 Main Dish Salads Chef Victoria Todd-Smith will show students how to take advantage of spring and summer ingredients to create salads worthy of taking center stage at their table. The Cucina at Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $75. 330-497-1000 5/12 Woodland Wildflowers Ohio’s spring wildflowers are a wonder to behold. After a short presentation, hike along the wooded hillsides in search of these beauties. Bring a camera. Sand Run Metro Park, Shady Hollow Pavilion, 1750 Sand Run Pkwy., Akron. 1 p.m. Free. 330-865-8065

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5/12 Rubber City Rollergirls vs. Flint City Roller Girls/Sandusky Rollers Akron’s premier women’s flat track roller derby league presents an evening of action-packed, fast-paced, high-energy fun for the whole family. John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill St., Akron. Doors open at 5 p.m.; first bout begins at 6 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$13 at the door. www. rubbercityrollergirls.com 5/12 Akron Aeros vs. Harrisburg Senators Root for the home team! Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron.

6:05 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www.akronaeros.com

5/12 Dwele One of the most creative and talented artists of the Neo Soul generation returns to the Keepers Lounge for another unforgettable performance. E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron. 8 p.m. $10 UA students; $20. 330-972-7570 5/12 2nd Annual Lightning Bug 5k Run/Walk A nighttime, family-friendly fun event. Proceeds will help fund the extension of hiking and biking trails in Medina County. Buckeye Woods Park, 6355 Wedgewood Rd., Medina. 9 p.m. Call for fees.

Runforthetrails.wordpress.com 5/13 For Women Only Join a naturalist for the third in this spring series of hikes for women only.

Enjoy the companionship of other women on the beautiful 2-mile Meadow Trail. Munroe Falls Metro Park, Tallmadge Meadows Area, 1088 North Ave., Tallmadge. 10 a.m. Free. 330-865-8065

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5/13 Mother’s Day at Stan Hywet All moms get complimentary admission to a self-guided tour on their special day. Stop by Molly’s, stocked with wonderful gifts for Mom! Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Log on for admission fees. www.stanhywet.org

5/13 “Come Fly Away” Party Bus Ohio Regional Music Arts Cultural Outreach invites you to hop on the party bus to Playhouse Square to see the new Broadway musical that brings together the legendary music of Frank Sinatra and the creative vision of Tony Award-winner Twyla Tharp.

Enjoy a boxed lunch, flowing wine and trivia quizzes. After the show, hop back on the bus for more wine, homemade chocolates and the 50/50 raffle. Meet at Buehler’s River Styx, 3626 Medina Rd., Medina. 11 a.m. $40-$76. ormaco.org 5/13 Mrs. Vernon’s Table Pass platters of madefrom-scratch meals straight from the oven at the Beside the Point Café’s Sunday dinner. Family-style seating. West Point Market, 1711 W. Market St., Akron. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $20 per person (includes tip); $1 per year children 10 and under. 330-864-2151, ext. 137 5/13 Akron Aeros vs. Harrisburg Senators Root for the home team! Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron.

1:05 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www.akronaeros.com 5/13 Treasure Hunt for the Birds Learn about our local birds during this treasure hunt of rhymes, riddles and family activities. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Onondaga Deck, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron. 2 p.m. Free.

330-865-8065

5/13 Mother’s Day Hike Join a naturalist for this invigorating hike of Spring Hollow Trail highlighting the beauty of the season.

All moms receive a small gift. Hampton Hills Metro Park, Main Entrance, 2925 Akron-Peninsula Rd., Akron. 3 p.m. Free.

330-865-8065 5/13 Cooking with Wine with Jim Reynolds Learn how to pair wine with food and how it can add flavor and depth to your favorite dishes. Samples will feature seasonal produce and fresh herbs from Dayton Nursery, and you’ll receive recipes to try at home. The Winery at Wolf Creek, 2637 S. ClevelandMassillon Rd., Norton. 5:30 p.m. $15 prepayment is required. 800-436-0426 5/14 Maurer & Rettman Blues, American music. The Winery at Wolf Creek, 2637 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Norton. 7-9 p.m. Free. 800-436-0426

5/15 Maps and Atlases All ages show.

Under 21 pays $2 additional at door.

Alternative/indie music. Musica, 51 E. Market St., Akron. 8 p.m. $12 advance tickets. www.akronmusica.com 5/16 Heart-Healthy Hike A naturalist answers your nature and history questions on this steady stroll of the 1.6-mile Spring Hollow Trail. Hampton Hills Metro Park, Main Entrance, 2925 Akron-Peninsula Rd., Akron. 10 a.m. Free. 330-865-8065 28

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5/16 Kinderealm: Bees Children 3 to 6 and adult companions will learn about one of nature’s busiest creatures. Includes a hike and craft. Registration begins 4/26. Firestone Metro Park, Coventry Oaks Pavilion, 40 Axline Ave., Akron. 1 p.m. Free. 330-8658065 5/16 Grilling 101 Join Chef Marilou Suszko to perfect your grilling techniques so whatever recipe you tackle this summer turns out perfectly. Students will learn the proper way to grill chicken breasts, burgers and fish. The Cucina at Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 6-9 p.m. $75. 330-497-1000 5/16 Meet Cheeks Meet Cheeks the chipmunk, then hike on your own to earn Spree For All credit.

Cancelled if it rains. Gorge Metro Park, Main Entrance, 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. 6-7 p.m.

Free. 330-865-8065 5/16 Ryann Anderson Acoustic guitar. The Winery at Wolf Creek, 2637 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Norton.

7-9 p.m. Free. 800-436-0426

5/16 Burrowing Owls Join the Canton Audubon Society for this discussion.

Exploration Gateway (Stark Parks’ facility at Sippo Lake), 5712 12th St. NW, Canton. 7 p.m. Free. www.cantonaudubon.org 5/17 Kinderealm: Bees Children 3 to 6 and adult companions will learn about one of nature’s busiest creatures. Includes a hike and craft. Registration begins 4/26. Furnace Run Metro Park, Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield. 10:30 a.m. Free.

330-865-8065 5/17 Women’s Network: You Animal! Discover your inner animal and how to unleash all of its potential.

Includes workshop and lunch. Register by 5/14.

Fairlawn Country Club, 200 N. Wheaton Rd., Akron.

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $18 members; $22 non-members. www.womensnetworkneohio.com 5/17 Akron Roundtable: Ned Hill Hill is the dean of the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. Quaker Square Inn, The University of Akron, 135 S. Broadway, Akron. 11:45 a.m. $20. www.akronroundtable.org

5/17 “Schund” Part of the Shaw JCC’s Celebration of Israeli Cinema. A documentary about a famous Yiddish actor who disappears under suspicious circumstances. Shaw JCC, 750 White Pond Dr., Akron. 6:30 p.m. $5, includes snacks.

330-867-7850

5/17 Akron Baroque concert The vibrant 13-piece chamber ensemble performs works by Telemann and Caccini/ Stoppelenburg with soloists Sue Wallin and Deb Bordo, plus the world premiere of the fully orchestrated version of “Requiem”

by Amy Barlowe. First Congregational Church, 292 E. Market St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. Free. 330-253-5109 5/17 Mansions All ages show. Under 21 pays $2 additional at door. Rock/pop music. With opening act Worship This. Musica, 51 E. Market St., Akron. 8 p.m. $8 advance tickets. www.akronmusica.com 5/18 and 5/19 May Mart Plant Sale A fundraiser for Portage County Gardeners. Sale includes perennials, annuals, container pots, hanging baskets, herbs and vegetable plants, bake sale, raffles, a garden shop, kids’ corner and food. Portage County Gardeners Center, 5154 S. Prospect St., Ravenna. Fri., 4-7 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 330-923-0570 5/18 and 5/19 Tunes Through Time A concert presented by the students of Miller South. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 7 p.m. $5-$10. www.akroncivic.com 5/18 Akron Aeros vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels Root for the home team! Baseball HOF fireworks show post-game. Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron.

7:05 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www.akronaeros.com 5/18 Canton Cougars vs. Erie Explosion Cheer on your hometown team in the Ultimate Indoor Football League. Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market Ave. N., Canton. 7:30 p.m. Call for ticket prices. 330588-8000 5/18 Peelander Z All ages show. Under 21 pays $2 additional at door. Rock/pop music. With opening act Goodnight Wednesday. Musica, 51 E. Market St., Akron. 8 p.m. $9.99 advance tickets. www. akronmusica.com 5/19 and 5/20, 5/25-5/27 A Day Out With Thomas: The Mystery Tour Take a 35-minute train ride aboard Thomas the Tank Engine and have fun with music, storytelling, bounce houses, Imagination Station, the area’s largest model railroad display and meet Sir Topham Hatt! Boston Mills Ski Resort and Boarding Station, 7100 Riverview Rd., Peninsula. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. $18. www.ticketweb.com/dowt

5/17 Writers Group for Adults Are you working on a novel? Want to start writing your memoirs? Do you write poems in your spare time? Share your work with other amateur writers and offer critiques and support.

Stark County District Library, North Branch, 189 25th St. NW, Canton. 6:30 p.m. Free. www.starklibrary.org 5/17 Dine & (Bring) Wine Chef Brian Hilberg, of Marie’s Café, will prepare four courses before your eyes. Bring your favorite bottle of wine. Cool Beans Café Demo Kitchen, 103 W. Liberty St., Medina. 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. $25/person (18 seats/seating) www.mainstreetmedina.com 5/17 Humor Hike Join a naturalist for nature jokes and riddles as we move at a steady pace along the 1.6-mile Willow Trail. Firestone Metro Park, Tuscarawas Meadows Area, 2620 Harrington Rd., Akron. 7 p.m. Free. 330-865-8065 may 2012

5/19 Spring Stroll Experience the enchantment of fairies while enjoying the beauty of the season. Check out fairy homes, fairy gardens and fairy-themed art at shops and galleries. Village of Peninsula.

Free. www.explorepeninsula.com

5/19 Hike and Breakfast Join us for a spring hike and pie-iron breakfast. Participants will contribute to the feast. Registration begins 5/10. Goodyear Heights Metro Park, Pavilion, 2077 Newton St., Akron. 8 a.m. Free. 330-865-8065 5/19 Kids’ Fishing Kids ages 15 and under will learn the basics of fishing. A few rods and reels available.

Bait provided. Adults not permitted to fish. Firestone Metro Park, Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Rd., Akron. 10 a.m.-noon. Free. 330-865-8065 5/19 Stan Hywet Plant Sale The plant sale features perennials grown from cuttings from the Great Garden, as well as flowering planters cultivated and designed by the Stan Hywet horticulture staff. The Garden Shop at Molly’s features trellises, arbors, accessories and decorative pots for the garden. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Log on for admission fees. www. stanhywet.org 5/19 Family Friendly Days Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Manor House with additional information provided by the resident History First Hand troupe, who will bring the Manor House to life as it was in the 1920s. Visitors will encounter the employees and friends of Gertrude and F.A. Seiberling. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. 10 a.m.4:30 p.m. Log on for admission fees. www.stanhywet. org 5/19 Gourmet Grilling Veteran grilling instructor Chef Meg Feller will teach students how to give pizza, salads (no kidding!) and desserts the flavor that can only come from cooking over an open flame. They’ll also learn grilling techniques to take chicken and steak to a new level. The Cucina at Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $75. 330497-1000

5/19 Introduction to Mushrooms Find out what makes these “fun guys” so fascinating and important. Following an indoor program, head outside to search for common spring mushrooms in the forest.

Registration begins 5/8. Edibles not part of the program. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron. 1 p.m. Free. 330-865-8065

5/19 Sounds of Spring Concert After 3 months of diligent work, the 200+ members of the Summit Children’s Choirs will demonstrate their vocal growth, their musical maturity and their collective artistry as they welcome springtime. Cuyahoga Falls High School Auditorium, 2300 4th St., Cuyahoga Falls. 7 p.m. $5-$35. www.summitchoralsociety.org 5/19 Paper Route All ages show. Under 21 pays $2 additional at door. Rock/pop music. With opening acts Chasing Chariots and The Great Big Sky. Musica, 51 E. Market St., Akron. 8 p.m. $10 advance tickets. www.akronmusica.com 5/20 Vintage Baseball, Featuring the Akron Black Stockings Be a “crank” (fan) at a game of vintage baseball. Bring a chair or blanket as the Akron Black Stockings take on the competition. Huzzah! Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron.

11 a.m. Log on for admission fees. www.stanhywet. org

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6:05 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www.akronaeros.com

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5/20 A Celebration of Strawberries Join Chef Bev Shaffer as she delights her students with strawberry recipes, tips and techniques and some strawberry trivia. Learn how to make Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Sugar and Spiced Nuts and Screamin’ Strawberry Vinaigrette and much more. The Cucina at Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 11 a.m.2 p.m. $75. 330-497-1000

5/20 Our Patriotic Duty Cut-A-Thon To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, Nicole Jeffrey’s Salon & Day Spa is donating all proceeds on 5/20 to the non-profit veterans’ aid organization, Our Patriotic Duty. Salon specials and raffle prizes.

Nicole Jeffrey’s Salon & Day Spa, 215 E. Waterloo Rd., Akron. Noon-5 p.m. 330733-0700 5/20 Akron Aeros vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels Root for the home team, plus Kids Club Day and Kids Run the Show Day! Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. 1:05 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www. akronaeros.com 5/20 Kids’ Nature Drawing: Flowers For ages 6 to 12. Join a naturalist for this lesson in nature drawing.

Registration begins 5/15. Bring a sketchbook and pencil. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron. 2 p.m. Free. 330-865-8065 5/20 Goodyear Concert Band Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, and enjoy a performance on the Ellipse.

Refreshments available for purchase in Molly’s Café.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. 3 p.m. Log on for admission fees. www. stanhywet.org

5/20 Neo-Tessares Saxophone Quartet The music of these four musicians runs the gamut from cuttingedge contemporary to faithful transcriptions of the masters. Christ Church Episcopal, 21 Aurora St., Hudson. 5 p.m. $15 adults; free for students. www. musicfromthewesternreserve.org 5/21 Evening Book Club This month’s selection is “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kesey.

Bring a friend. Barberton Public Library, 602 W. Park Ave., Barberton. 6 p.m. Free. www.barbertonlibrary. org 5/21 Mediterranean Cuisine, Part 2 Discover the flavorful and healthy pleasures of the cuisine of the Mediterranean with Chef Matthew Ridgway in the second of two classes. Students will prepare Codfish Plaki, Dolmades, Creamy Polenta and Grilled Vegetable and Artichoke Heart Salad. The Cucina at Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 6:309:30 p.m. $75. 330-497-1000 5/21 Zach Acoustic pop. The Winery at Wolf Creek, 2637 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Norton. 7-9 p.m.

Free. 800-436-0426 5/22 Living on the Edge Join a naturalist to hike a scenic trail along sandstone ledges and through a wetland area, looking for seasonal wildflowers, ferns and migrating birds. Liberty Park, Twinsburg Ledges Area, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg. 9 a.m. Free. 330865-8065 5/22 Cooking with Amanda This class features new and seasonal recipes featuring Wolf Creek wines and fresh produce and herbs from Dayton Nursery. There will be demos of the dishes prepared, along with food and wine samples and recipes to try at home. The Winery at Wolf Creek, 2637 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Norton. 5:30 p.m. $15 prepayment. 1-800-4360426

5/22 Reinventing You! Want to move into a new line of work? Want to move into a new relationship? Just want to move? Laura George, author of “Excuse Me, Your Job is Waiting,” shares ideas for making positive changes in your life. Akron-Summit County Public Library, Main Library Auditorium, 60 S. High St., Akron. 7 p.m. Free event; free parking in the High-Market Garage after 6 p.m. 330-643-9020 5/23 Heart-Healthy Hike A naturalist answers your nature and history questions on this steady stroll of the 1.6-mile Prairie Trail. Springfield Bog Metro Park, 1400 Portage Line Rd., Springfield Twp. 10 a.m. Free.

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5/23 Victor Samalot Solo guitarist. The Winery at Wolf Creek, 2637 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Norton.

7-9 p.m. Free. 800-436-0426 5/23 Meet Me in the Garden Learn from a Master Gardener how your garden can be both edible and beautiful. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron. 7 p.m. Free. 330-8658065 5/24 Lunchtime Akron History Hike Visit the monuments and statues of Akron’s famous founders with tour leaders from the Summit County Historical Society and Metro Parks. Bring a bagged lunch and an umbrella, just in case. Lock 3, Akron History Exhibit, 200 S. Main St., Akron. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free.

330-865-8065

5/24 Torchbearers Recruitment Event This young professional organization is looking for future leaders, ages 2539, who are interested in leadership development and community service for the Torchbearers Class of 2013. Akron Bar Association, Main Floor, 57 S. Broadway, Akron. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. RSVP to Emily Stevens, 330-572-1323 or estevens@starkknoll.com, by 5/18.

5/24 Evening Hike Join a naturalist to explore the fields, woods and wetlands along the 2-mile Meadow Trail. Munroe Falls Metro Park, Tallmadge Meadows Area, 1088 North Ave., Tallmadge. 7 p.m. Free. 330865-8065 5/24 The Basics of Home Winemaking This class is taught by Gervasi winemaker Andy Codispoti.

The Cucina at Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 7-9 p.m. $50. 330-497-1000 5/25 Kinderealm: Bees Children 3 to 6 and adult companions will learn about one of nature’s busiest creatures. Includes a hike and craft. Registration begins 4/26. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Free. 330-865-8065 5/25 Canton Cougars vs. Kentucky Monsters Cheer on your hometown team in the Ultimate Indoor Football League. Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market Ave. N., Canton. 7:30 p.m. Call for ticket prices. 330-588-8000

5/26 Graduation Film Festival It’s almost time for graduation day, so stop by the Teen Meeting Room to watch new and classic flicks about what happens once you finally have your diploma. 9 a.m., “Say Anything.” 11 a.m., “High School Musical 3.” 12:45 p.m., “I Love You, Beth Cooper.”

2:30 p.m., “Can’t Hardly Wait.” AkronSummit County Public Library, 60 S. High St., Akron. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free. www. akronlibrary.org

Business Banking “My business is focused on serving others in the community. North Akron Savings Bank is focused on meeting the needs of my business.”

-Debra Philmore-Stroud

Minority Behavioral Health Group

5/26 Meet Cheeks Meet Cheeks the chipmunk, then hike on your own to earn Spree For All credit. Cancelled if it rains. Munroe Falls Metro Park, Tallmadge Meadows Area, 1088 North Ave., Tallmadge. Noon-1 p.m. Free. 330-865-8065 5/27 Catch of the Day Enjoy your afternoon outdoors casting a line with a naturalist. A limited number of poles will be available for use, and bait will be provided. Gorge Metro Park, Main Entrance, 1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. 1-3 p.m. Free. 330865-8065

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5/27 Nature Realm Book Club This month’s selection is “The Outermost House: A Year of Life on the Great Beach of Cape Cod” by Henry Beston, available at the Nature Realm for 10 off. Warm drinks provided. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Visitors Center, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron. 2 p.m. Free. 330-8658065 5/28 Diana Chittester Singer/songwriter, guitar. The Winery at Wolf Creek, 2637 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Norton. 7-9 p.m. Free. 800-436-0426 5/28 Drake Multi-platinum selling, Grammynominated recording artist Drake comes to Blossom in support of his critically acclaimed album, “TAKE CARE.” Opening acts include J. Cole, Waka Flocka Flame, Meek Mill, 2 Chainz and French Montana.

Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls. 7 p.m. Log on for ticket prices. www. livenation.com

5/29 Historical Glendale Cemetery Leaders from the Summit County Historical Society and Metro Parks will guide this trolley tour for a Memorial Day observance of famous local veterans, including those from the Civil War. Registration begins 5/22. Call for meeting place and to reserve your trolley seat. Meeting place provided during registration. 7 p.m. Free. 330-8658065

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5/29 Akron Aeros vs. Bowie Baysox Root for the home team! Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. 7:05 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www.akronaeros.com 5/30 Akron Aeros vs. Bowie Baysox Root for the home team, plus Education Day! Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. 10:35 a.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www. akronaeros.com 5/30 Jim Gill & Cathy Miller Singer/songwriter and fiddle. The Winery at Wolf Creek, 2637 S. ClevelandMassillon Rd., Norton. 7-9 p.m. Free. 800-436-0426 5/31 Akron Aeros vs. Bowie Baysox Root for the home team! Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. 7:05 p.m. $5-$9 in advance; $6-$10 day of game; children 3 and under are free. www.akronaeros.com

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June 2012 6/1-6/24 “Wishes … Just a Dream Away” Discover the importance of childhood dreams as you are guided by beloved storybook characters Mary Poppins, the Little Mermaid, Willy Wonka, Shrek, Captain Hook, Peter Pan and so many more. The Players Guild Theatre, 1001 Market Ave. N, Canton.

Call for showtimes. $18-$23. 330-453-7617

6/1 Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker and Thompson Square The first of five Carhartt Country Megaticket concerts this summer. Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls.

Log on for showtime. $25-$49.75. www. megaticket.com 6/1 Canton Cougars vs. Danville Dragons Cheer on your hometown team in the Ultimate Indoor Football League. Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market Ave. N., Canton. 7:30 p.m. Call for ticket prices. 330588-8000 6/2 and 6/3 “Titanic: The Musical” Presented by Voices of Canton Inc. April 2012 is the centennial of the sinking of Titanic, one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century. VOCI will present this Broadway show in concert format. Kent State University Stark Campus, Fine Arts Theater, 6000 Frank Ave. NW, N. Canton. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. $15-$25. www. voicesofcanton.org

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6/2 A Doo Wop Celebration V Guys, slick back your hair in a ducktail. Gals, slip on your saddle shoes.

Come hear Gene “The Duke of Earl” Chandler, The Vogues, Jay Siegel’s Tokens, Jay Traynor and Charlie Thomas’s Drifters — together in concert! Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 4 p.m. $25-$80. www.akroncivic.com

6/3 Dave Matthews Band Dave Matthews Band returns to the road this summer with an extensive North American summer tour. The group — which ranked as the biggest ticket seller worldwide of the past decade—took last year off from touring, so this will be its first outing since 2010.

Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls. 7 p.m. $40.50-$75. www.livenation.com

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FLASH Singles Mingling

by Abby Cymerman and photos by Shane Wynn

The first-ever akronlife Single Mingle was a hit Feb. 24 as over 150 attendees headed to Jimmy’s Martini Lounge downtown to enjoy the fun.

Emcee Ben DiCola introduced the 2012 Single in the City contest winners: Jimmy Salaheddine (our gracious host), Rachel Roberts, Terri Baker Kapper, Dave Oeschger and Jennifer Mancuso, and awarded door prizes every half-hour to the guests.

Throughout the evening, local singles crowded into the cozy venue and enjoyed signature singletinis and mingletinis poured by “Dave the Bartender,” food provided by DaVinci’s Pizza next door and Love Struck mini cupcakes from A Cupcake A Day in Medina.

We’d like to thank the following businesses for their generous support of our event: Jimmy’s Martini Lounge DaVinci’s Pizza A Cupcake A Day (Medina) River Expeditions (West Virginia) Coquette Boutique (Bath) 356th Fighter Group (North Canton) Blue Door Café & Bakery (Cuyahoga Falls) Fairlawn Massage Actors’ Summit Sara Fraraccio Hair & Beauty Boutiques Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant Noto Luigi’s Akron Skin Center www.akronlife.com

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STARTING HIS ROLE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON THIS MONTH, TRESSEL TALKS SECOND CHANCES, STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND SWEATERS — SANS SLEEVES.

Photo by Dennis Roliff 34

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JIM TRESSEL. >>> by Ben DiCola <<<

Thomas Wolfe once said you can’t go home again. Obviously, he never met Jim Tressel.

With a turn of his educational compass to the northeast, Tressel has returned to Akron where, once upon a time, he was an assistant football coach and a physical education instructor.

To say quite a few things have happened in Tressel’s career since 1975 would be an understatement. He’s experienced the highest of highs — Ohio State University winning an NCAA Division I national football title with the Buckeyes’ victory over the Miami Hurricanes in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl — to the lowest of lows — the largest scandal in OSU’s football history, the now-infamous case of a coach covering for student-athletes who exchanged football memorabilia for tattoos, which would eventually lead to a firestorm of controversy and Tressel’s inevitable departure from Columbus.

In the weeks and months since the national headline broke, 59-year-old Tressel has spent much time in reflection. He was hired first as a replay consultant last fall by the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, who would limp to a league worst 2-14 record and the first

selection in this year’s player draft. Most Hoosiers figured that Coach Jim Caldwell would be fired (he was) and that all he was really doing was keeping the seat warm for Tressel, who can still coach professionally — though he can’t coach in the collegiate ranks for the next five years due to the show-cause penalty from the NCAA. “Nobody in Indiana, Ohio or beyond thought Tressel was hired by the Colts just to watch a bunch of second rate quarterbacks on film throw a football, following the injury that sidelined future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. Indeed, Tressel interviewed with team owner Jim Irsay for the head coaching job after it opened.”

Meanwhile, back home, University of Akron President Dr. Luis Proenza knew Tressel was meeting with Irsay; Tressel had given Proenza a head’s up, since he and Mike Sherman — UA’s senior vice president, provost and COO — had approached Tressel in November about a UA position (prior to the sanctions being handed down). www.akronlife.com

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“We very much tried to convince him to consider the coaching job here,” says Proenza. “… He made it abundantly clear the direction he wanted his career to take — and it wasn’t toward athletics.”

The NCAA coaching ban on Tressel was announced Dec. 20 and two days later, UA hired Terry Bowden as its new football coach.

All the while, UA leadership continued having conversations with Tressel regarding his interest in the university — conversations that became academically oriented as Tressel expressed his desire to apply his skills to student success beyond the football field. Proenza then created the vice president of strategic engagement position for Tressel.

“This,” says Tressel, “is a second chance.”

In this role, he’ll be responsible for helping implement the “Akron Experience” — connecting in-classroom and out-of-classroom experiences for students so, once they graduate, they’re better prepared for the job market both regionally and globally. He begins his new duties this month.

Little wonder there’s a segment of people waiting for Tressel to once again be patrolling a sideline, this time, in the NFL.

“Four of the greatest years of my life were spent at Akron as a graduate student and then as an assistant coach and instructor. No matter where my career took me after that, it always had to match up with that Akron experience. But the No. 1 reason I chose Akron is ... to see the vision and leadership of Dr. Proenza and the team he has assembled.”

Proenza regards Tressel just as highly: “This falls into the category of what’s referred to in employment circles as an opportunity hire,” says Proenza. “Jim has always seen himself not just in terms of coaching the game of football, but coaching the game of life. When combined with what we know of him as a person who’s revered particularly in Northeast Ohio … there simply wouldn’t be anybody else but him who could help us achieve this set of goals.”

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Tressel grew up in Berea, where the Browns held their training facility for years. As a kid, he used to go to Berea High School and hold the ball for Browns place-kicker and Hall of Famer Lou Groza. In fact, the Tressel home was next to the stadium in Berea where his father, the late Lee Tressel, coached 23 years at Baldwin-Wallace and won a national title.

“His influence on me was tremendous,” says Tressel. “I got to watch him work every day.

It was like the carpenter who follows his dad into the shop and learns to love carpentry …

He was absolutely the most important influence on me.”

“Without a doubt, our responsibility doesn’t end with preparing someone for gainful employment,” says Tressel. “[We also have a responsibility] to help the region find ways of providing that gainful employment.

[Otherwise], we’re going to be preparing kids to move away. We want kids to have choices.

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o what if an NFL job — one that pays considerably more than what Tressel’s making at UA — comes along, say, next year or beyond? Heck, what if the Cleveland Browns reached out? You don’t think Tressel could do better than Pat Shurmur, Eric Mangini or Romeo Crennel?

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“[During my 10 seasons at Ohio State], there was a certain population out there that thought every time an NFL job opened up, I was going to go to it. But the NFL has never really been a passion of mine,” says Tressel. “I’m not too worried about the predictions people have for me. For 15 years at Youngstown State, every job that came open, supposedly I was going to it. Fifteen years later, that finally occurred. My track record has been that I’ve stayed at places a long time.”

And if Proenza isn’t concerned, then maybe we shouldn’t be either.

“He made it very clear that in every job he’s had, he has taken it with the assumption that it was going to be long-term,” says Proenza.

“Obviously, all sorts of things can happen. But my own personal sense is that he has made a commitment and he’ll see it through … with this perhaps being his final job — and an opportunity to build significant value that will add to his legacy, which is already substantial.”

The University of Akron press conference Feb. 2, 2012, announcing Tressel as the vice president of strategic engagement

“A coach is really a teacher. Not only of the sport, but a teacher of life.”

And from the looks of it, the Tressels are all in; they’re building a home in Medina County and plan to move in this fall.

“This is a new beginning,” says Ellen, his wife of 14 years.

“Jim will be coaching kids in general. He’s a life-skills coach.

And that’s what he’s done all along.”

A Youngstown native, Ellen met Tressel while he was coaching at YSU. Though she didn’t get to see much of him in the past, in his new role here at UA, she’s hopeful he’ll be around at least a little more — since he won’t be coaching or off recruiting.

So he’ll be helping out around the house more then?

“He’ll probably not do that,” says Ellen, who’s apparently been married to Tressel long enough to know that having him “around” doesn’t necessarily equate to manual labor.

“He’s always busy going somewhere, whether it’s a speaking engagement or a public appearance. But I will take his help at home any way I can get it! You learn to be self-sufficient when you’re married to someone who’s in coaching.”

Jim’s father, Lee Tressel, pictured with the trophy of his 1961 undefeated football team at Baldwin-Wallace.

Ellen does, however, predict that he’ll still mow the lawn in July — the month he historically had off. “When July came,” she says, “he’d just put on a pair of headphones and chew on a cigar. Mowing for him is mindless enjoyment.”

Until then, Tressel plans to buy Ellen a riding mower. ressel earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1975 and his master’s in 1977 from UA. He also holds a doctorate in Humane Letters from B-W and YSU, has published several books on winning in the game of life and achieving success, and has extensive fundraising and philanthropic participation — the latter of which can pay dividends for Akron’s future security.

“When we were speaking with him, we discovered his vision for student-athletes was exactly our vision for our students,” says Sherman.

“In thinking about the Akron Experience, he was able to articulate very clearly how he worked with his own athletes to do just that ... meshing in- and out-of-theclassroom experiences with civic-engagement activities and citizenship-enhancement activities.”

Though Tressel will have no role in helping Bowden recruit or decide whether the Zips should pass on third down and five or run off tackle, if he’s thought of as a coach for the foreseeable future, both Tressel and Proenza plan to use that to UA’s advantage. And why not?

“I won’t have intimate involvement in recruiting,” says Tressel.

“But if my presence can help, we need every little bit of help in every direction we can.

And when they spoke about developing pathways for student success — meeting students where they are in regard to their educational readiness — it mirrored what Tressel had done with his student-athletes for a quarter-century at Youngstown and Ohio State.

“We want to be the best we can be for our students, the faculty, the community and the region. We’ve got close to 30,000 students in various majors and various levels of development. … The fun of being … part of the staff is to help devise a program that can be good for everybody.”

“A coach is really a teacher,” Sherman says. “Not only of the sport, but a teacher of life.”

In further clarifying the “Akron Experience,” Sherman explained that a committee formed from the professional colleges on campus has devised a framework in which students www.akronlife.com

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by Ben DiCola

The Legacy of the Sweater Vest

J

im Tressel is almost as wellknown for his geek-chic style as he is coaching.

We often say the clothes make the man. In Jim Tressel’s case, make that sweater vest.

can benefit from co-ops and internships. So instead of a student talking to an advisor about what courses to take and in what sequence, the conversation will center on creating a broader experience — a pathway of optimally connecting the student to various opportunities over time.

Though the comfy knit has been a steady, quiet niche seller for years — the choice of golfers, grandpas and football coaches alike — Tressel is the unintentional ambassador for these sweaters sans sleeves — and arguably single-handedly responsible for their juggernauting fame and acceptance, not only into mainstream society, but into the upper echelon of fashion.

By the end of his first year, Tressel should be well-entrenched in his new role of guiding and connecting students to the region — and the world at large. And if he’s not, Tressel will take his own advice.

Heck, Tressel’s even featured in the Wikipedia entry for sweater vest.

“I think throughout your life, there are times you reflect. I’ve always seen myself evolving into higher education in a different way. I think in positions like head coach at Ohio State or even as CEO of a company, if you go much past a certain length of time, there may

Because Tressel’s sweater-vest origins have been the topic of much speculation, the man who made the vest a staple in Columbus — and beyond — offered us some insight as to the genesis of the vest.

Though some contend he wore it as a tribute to his late father, Lee, who coached him at Baldwin-Wallace and was known for his bow ties, Tressel says he was never conscious of following (or even starting) any tradition when he first began donning the vests during a wildly successful run at Youngstown State in the ’90s.

That first vest may have been a gift, but he can’t recall exactly. What he does remember, however, is finding it very comfortable.

“It was cold one game, so I started wearing it,” says Tressel. “And you know how coaches are superstitious?

Well, we won — so I better put it back on.

The Tressel brothers from left to right: Dick, Dave and Jim at the naming of the field at Baldwin-Wallace College in honor of their parents.

“At Youngstown State, we had no money, so we went to JC Penney and bought a line of sweater vests and we sewed a ‘Y’ on it. That’s how it started. When I got to Ohio State, they asked, ‘What are you going to wear?’

I said, ‘I’ve always worn a sweater vest, but we played at night and it was usually cool.’ NIKE said: ‘OK, you’re wearing a sweater vest!’

be a law of diminishing returns,” says Tressel. “I had an agreement with my athletic director at Ohio State, Gene Smith, that every year, you’ve got to tell me if I’m the best guy for this job. Because if I’m not, this job deserves the best — and maybe I can become the best at something else.”

Tressel quickly learned that with fame, comes sacrifice.

Not that he — or anyone else — is worried about his ability to succeed in his new title. In fact, one of Tressel’s many colleagues felt the UA position is a perfect fit for him.

From there, Tressel says, “it just kind of evolved. But I doubt there will be a run on them here.”

“He said, ‘You’re just an educator in a coach’s body,’ ” says Tressel. “… Hopefully, I’ll be an educator in a vice president’s body.” / Writer Ben DiCola is an account representative at Baker Media Group and a freelance writer.

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“The first couple of games, it was like 100 degrees at noon on the turf in Columbus, and I’m out there looking like Humpty Dumpty with a sweater vest on!”

While there’s no indication (yet) that stores at Summit Mall are stacking their shelves with blue and gold sweater vests, we’ll know more when fall fashions arrive — since, as Tressel can attest, crisp autumn evenings make ideal sweater-vest weather.

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by Dave Desimone and photos

by Ron Copeland, Dave Desimone and Drew Smith

The future of our region is in re-imagining the past.

Abandoned factory, Akron, photo by Ron Copeland

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The rustbelt region is full of reminders of a more prosperous past.

A significant loss of manufacturing jobs, coupled with massive population decline, eroding infrastructure and political ineffectiveness has left the region ravaged and depressed. Akron — along with cities like Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Gary, Detroit and Flint — have all experienced the “shrinking city” phenomenon with mixed results.

Three local artists — Ron Copeland, Drew Smith and I — have spent the last four years exploring the abandoned factories, warehouses, steel mills, schools and churches of our region. These experiences have directly impacted our art and our world view.

We take inspiration from these places and embrace decay as part of the natural cycle of life. Rather than an end, it’s a chance for rebirth.

We see beauty and opportunity in everything around us.

Evolution occurs constantly, and the collective past of a community should serve as a guide, not

Abandoned railroad silo, Arlington Yard, Akron, photo by Ron Copeland

(continued on p.45)

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Top: Abandoned Massillon Drill Company (since torn down), Massillon, photo by Ron Copeland Left: Akron Art Institute, Cuyahoga Falls, photo by Drew Smith Above: Mother Goose Land, Canton, photo by Ron Copeland

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a jailer. By building upon the old instead of always breaking new ground, the region can transform itself into a more sustainable and prosperous one. As author Anton Chekhov wrote: “… The future of America is about re-imagining the geographies of its past.”

By sharing these experiences and observations, it’s our hope you’re reminded that everything is temporary — and the future of the region unwritten.

Opposite Page: Top: Abandoned factory (since torn down), Akron, photo by Ron Copeland Bottom left: Abandoned factory, downtown Akron, photo by Dave Desimone Bottom right: Interior, abandoned brickyard, Wadsworth, photo by Dave Desimone Above: Interior, abandoned building, downtown Massillon, photo by Ron Copeland

Comments? E-mail them to editor@bakermediagroup.com.

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Th is ta len te d

d irec

a s a ons

D

i t c tor is usin u d o r P g H ea d s U p

, t n e em v o r p m yi t i n u m m o c r o f t s cataly

on’t get it twisted: Akron is a creative place.

And any town with enough artistic juju in the ether to produce Chrissie Hynde, Devo and The Black Keys has got to be incubating the next generation of brash, up-and-coming artists right this very moment. Enter Heads Up Productions and its plucky managing artistic director, Benjamin Rexroad, stage right.

Rexroad, 24, who co-founded Heads Up with fellow artistic director, T.J. Jozsa, in 2009, thinks Akron is an awesome place for theater. A fledgling theater company doesn’t always have — OK, never has — access to expansive theater complexes with flashing marquees, glitzy sets or big-name stars. It has to tap into that primal, human need to invent fantastical stories and share them with an audience eager to be transported to another time and place. You know, that Dionysian urge that drove the ancient Greeks to dress up like drunken satyrs and put on a show — or, what Rexroad calls, “the essence of theater.” Heads Up exists to explore that essence in the way actor and audience relate.

“You only need the actors and the audience to create theater,” says Rexroad. “When everything else is superfluous, you use what you have at your disposal at any given moment. We have Akron.”

And get the most out of Akron they do.

by Lisa Langford and photos by Shane Wynn

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may 2012

A kr on.

g l oca l theater pro n i y a p d fession a ls to hone n a n i s t h e e i e r r c e r a h f t u is s

lin k c ta

l a c i p o t g

Before actors and audience can meet, the thespians have to commune with the gods of theater in a process known as rehearsal.

This requires a place where they can be free to experiment with blood-curdling screams, raucous laughter and choice dialogue they might not want the neighbors to hear. In cities like New York and Chicago, a young theater company could go broke just trying to find the funds to rent rehearsal space at $30 an hour. In Akron, Heads Up has had the good fortune of not only finding affordable places to rehearse in but, on occasion, copping the space for free.

FINDING HIS PASSION Rexroad was working as the band manager for Akron’s Maid Myriad when he met T.J. Jozsa — who helped Rexroad realize his true calling.

“This helps us keep our ticket prices low so that anybody can afford to attend,” says Rexroad. “And it means we have more resources to help the community.”

Help the community as in doing really cool and altruistic things in and around Akron, like discounting tickets for audience members who bring canned goods to a food drive before a show or donating a portion of the proceeds from the soldout run of “A Woman Called Truth” to an Akron-area women’s shelter. Last season, when Heads Up produced “Corpus Christi,” a contemporary retelling of the Gospels set in modern-day Texas, Rexroad and his cast teamed with community groups to facilitate dialogue between gay

Benjamin Rexroad and T.J. Jozsa

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“When everything else is superfluous, you use what you have at your disposal at any given moment.

We have Akron.” and religious organizations. They held story circles and gave free tickets to anyone who participated.

Tackling tough, topical issues that affect Akron and the world is not exactly dinner theater, and Rexroad is OK with that. “We want people to walk away from each show questioning something — a little shaken,” he says. “Most people are afraid to be vulnerable by asking the ‘dumb’ question. Our shows help people articulate those questions; we ask so they can ask.”

Heads Up has also welcomed a steady stream of talented artists from the University of Akron, like company members and UA grads Kimberly Woodworth and India Burton. Rexroad, who won the 2011 Akron Area Arts Alive! Award for Rising Young Star/Arts Leadership, looked at the conundrum of students graduating from the university who would “either have to move or work unpaid in community theaters” and decided Heads Up could be the solution to their problem. Rather than contribute to the brain drain that’s been plaguing the region and leave Northeast Ohio for the bright lights of the big city, local theater professionals can hone their craft at Heads Up. For money.

Ever since the theater company opened its doors, Heads Up has minimized costs, maximized creativity and paid all of its actors.

India Burton, Heads Up’s resident playwright, thinks that’s exactly the way a theater should be. “How can an artist quench his or her thirst without money to pay for the water?” Burton says. “Although I love to express my creativity, even for free, it’s simply great to be able to do what you love to do and get paid at the same time.”

“There’s no company like ours in the area,” says Rexroad. “Because of where we’re at, we’re able to take more risks in our material and with our talent.”

For instance, Heads Up gives its actors homework. “One of the requirements of an actor

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A performance of “1000 Hills”

working on a Heads Up show is that they must write an essay for our website based on the themes of the work or about their work on the show. Our website is another connective tissue between our audiences and ourselves. We think it helps when audiences get an inside look at the process. Many times, the audience members who keep up with our website have a deeper understanding of the work and connect on a level above everyone else.”

PeaSea Photography

Anne Bogart and her SITI Company, a theater ensemble dedicated to redefining and revitalizing contemporary theater in the United States.

“When I went to work with Anne Bogart and the SITI Company, I felt like I was a prepubescent girl meeting Justin Bieber,” jokes Rexroad. “Anne is quite a powerful presence in a room. She’s brilliant. Conversing with her I felt, ‘I need to learn. A lot.’ I didn’t feel inadequate, just that I had so much more to learn.”

Rexroad also encourages audience participation. “We’ve held open rehearsals, allowing the audience members to experience firsthand our methodology. Each of these is accompanied by a discussion with the spectators to decompress what they witnessed. Sometimes they’ve even given us feedback that we’ve incorporated into the piece.”

Once he got over his nervousness, he immersed himself in the emotionally and physically grueling training and crystallized his vision of what theater should be. “The summer I studied with SITI was life–changing,” he says. “I’ve tried to bring back much of what I’ve learned to Heads Up.”

With Akron so tightly woven into the fabric of his theater company, you’d think Rexroad would never leave. But he does, bringing home the inspiration he gathers from far-flung places and putting it into action. For example, Rexroad studied with legendary theater director

And then, last August, Rexroad and Jozsa went muse-chasing on a cross-country trip that serendipitously led them along the same path as the dog-eared copy of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” they were reading. The journey opened Rexroad’s eyes.

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“Each day brought something new,” he says. “Things you don’t get to experience every day.”

mount, the tourists, who bond with the locals, have their morals and emotions put to the test.

Things like bouldering in Colorado, hanging out at Burning Man and cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway. The adventure inspired Heads Up’s head men.

Burton says this was great opportunity for the Akron-based theater to represent. Being part of CPT’s Big Box is another venue for people to see the provocative work that Heads Up does. “We have the power to say something,” notes Burton, “so why not say something relevant? CPT gives us a chance to speak.”

“We’ve become better storytellers and better listeners. Learning to think on your feet and be creative has been an important part of this trip. ‘Where are we going to sleep

AGE IS JUST a NUMBER He may be young, but pre-Heads Up, Rexroad had already spent time working at Weathervane Playhouse, Carousel Dinner Theater and Porthouse Theatre. tonight?’ came up almost every day.

Trying to meet your basic everyday needs made life exciting in a way I never thought possible. And now that we’ve returned, we’ve got a few surprises up our sleeve for the Akron community.”

One of those surprises was a trip north on I-77. Earlier this year, Rexroad and company were busy rehearsing a new play, “1000 Hills,” written by Burton. The play was chosen to be part of Cleveland Public Theater’s 2012 Big Box Series and premiered in CPT’s Levin Theater in January. Set in Rwanda in 1994, “1000 Hills” follows three tourists who find themselves in the African nation just as genocidal violence breaks out. As tensions

Heads Up has an unofficial motto that graces the upper right corner of their website: “Finding our way into the questions.” Rexroad’s curiosity keeps leading him and his theater groups deeper into the heady, existential questions of what unites us, what divides us and everything in between. And Rexroad isn’t one to shy away from the challenge; he and Heads Up are all about using theater to find the answers.

“One of the things I say to my actors in rehearsal is, ‘I don’t know.

Figure it out.’ The world has been saying that to us in a big way.”

The first leg of their figure-it-out journey has been co-founding Heads Up and making a home in Akron for cutting-edge regional premieres, thought-provoking original plays and dedicated artists who are committed to improving and enlightening their community. With a start like that, Rexroad, Jozsa and the crew will find themselves in the Akron pantheon of the really cool and very creative in no time. / Lisa Langford is a writer and actor living in Cleveland.

Comments?

E-mail them to editor@bakermediagroup.com.

www.akronlife.com

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good eats

restaurants / notable food & drink / 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

Go to akronlife.com to view more area restaurants.

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 $$ L, D, T Barley House Hot and cold deli sandwiches, gourmet pizzas, soups and more. 222 S. Main St. (Akron) 330-374-0925 $$ L, D, A, T Beau’s Grille Upscale, well-regarded, innovative menu at the Fairlawn Hilton. 3180 W. Market St. (Fairlawn) 330-865-5577 $$$$ L, D, A, T The Beer Haus Try the Bratwurst, slowed cooked in beer, served with sautéed onions, whole grain mustard and sauerkraut on a pretzel roll. Lunch

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served weekends only. 1824 Merriman Rd. (Akron: Merriman Valley) 330-865-9510. $$ L, D, A, T Belgrade Gardens Famous for fried chicken and home-style cooking. 401 E. State St. (Barberton) 330-745-0113; 3476 Massillon Rd. (Green) 330-8963396 $$$ 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 $$ B, L, D, T Bialy’s At the Lakes American menu with lots of seafood choices. 493 Portage Lakes Dr. (Portage Lakes) 330-644-7177 $$ B, L, D, T Bianca’s Italian Ristorante & Lounge Traditional Italian, juicy steaks and fresh seafood.

4284 Beverly Hills Dr. (Brunswick) 330-225-0927 $$$ L, D, A, T Bistro on Main House-made desserts, hand-cut steaks and fresh pasta. Closed Sundays. 1313 W. Main St. (Kent) 330-673-9900 $$$ 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 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

may 2012

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.

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 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 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 $$$ L, D, A, T Cleats Club Seat Grille This sports pub and grill features burgers, “the official chicken wing of the Cleveland Indians” and the longest happy hour around, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Entertainment at 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 469 College St. (Wadsworth) 330-3345151 $$ L, D, A, T 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 $$$$ L, D, A, T Crave Creative comfort foods, slightly eccentric with bold tastes served up in a sensational setting. 57 E. Market St. (Akron) 330-253-1234 $$ 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 $$$ L, D, A, T D’Agneses Tomato Grill Wide array of entrée choices. Sunday brunch. Catering available. 106 First St. (Hudson) 330-342-3771 $$$$ L, D, A, T D’Agneses Trattoria and Café Northern and Southern Italian cuisine made in-house with fresh ingredients. Sunday brunch only. 566 White Pond Dr. (Akron) 234-678-3612 $$$$ L, D, A, T Danny Boy’s If you love the Rat Pack, you’ll love this menu. Try the Old Blue Eyes Mac & Cheese, the Hammy Davis Jr. Melt or The Chairman of the Board Calzone. 6081 Dressler Rd. N (Canton: Belden Village) 330-499-3726 $$$ 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; 1176 N. Court St. (Medina) 330-721-8675 $$ L, D, T Dave’s Tip Top Pleasant atmosphere with homestyle menu. Perfect for family dining. 3428 Darrow Rd. (Stow) 330-688-3171 $$ 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) 330-745-7677 $$ L, D, A, T Delanie’s Neighborhood Grille Comfort food, sporty atmosphere and full bar. 67 West Ave. (Tallmadge) 330-630-2888 $$$ L, D, A, T Desert Inn Family-owned since 1970. Specializes in “Family Style” shish kabobs. 204 12th St. NW (Canton) 330-456-1766 $$$$ L, D, A Diamond Deli A local favorite with fat sandwiches and fresh soups. Falls location is takeout only. 378 S. Main St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-762-5877; 2202 Front St. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-928-7304 $ B, L, A, T Diamond Grille Akron’s oldest steakhouse, authentic 1950s-style décor. All steaks are handcut, and seafood is flown in fresh. 77 W. Market St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-253-0041 $$$$ L, D, A No credit cards Dontino’s Restaurant Home-style Italian cuisine, popular community meeting place. 555 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave. (Akron: North) 330-928-9530 $$ L, D, A, T 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) 330-494-4000 $$$ L, D, A, T Eddy’s Deli and Restaurant Try the banana-split waffle, a corned beef sandwich or chicken paprikash. 2655 Oakwood Dr. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-928-7489; 4581 Kent Rd. (Stow) 330346-0551 $$ B, L, D, T

Akron’s Best Casual Dining Restaurant &HOHEUDWH 0RWKHU·V 'D\ DW +XGVRQ·V 0D\ WK 0RWKHU·V 'D\ %XIIHW LQ 0RQWURVH 0RWKHU·V 'D\ %UXQFK LQ +XGVRQ &DOO WR PDNH \RXU 5HVHUYDWLRQ

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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 $$$ L, D, A, T El Campesino Authentic Mexican cuisine. 4360 Kent Rd. (Stow) 330-686-5561; 9169 State Route 14 (Streetsboro) 330-626-9777; 4048 Lincolnway E. (Massillon) 330-477-8731 $$ 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 Erie Station Grille Features such classics as baby-back ribs seared with homemade BBQ sauce and prime rib of beef au jus. 70 East Ave. (Tallmadge) 330-634-9900. $$$ L, D, A, T The Eye Opener Diner-style menu features jams and jellies from Crooked River Herb Farm. Upscale décor includes photos of historic Akron. 1688 W. Market St. (Akron) 330-867-1114 $$ B, L, D, T Farmer Boy Restaurant House specialties include Greek souvlaki, broaster chicken and delicious desserts. 1324 Canton Rd. (Akron: East) 330-784-4052 $$ B, L, D, T Firehouse Grill & Pub Watch sports and enjoy steaks and buffalo wings. 1677 E. Market St. (Akron: East) 330-733-6279; 2727 Manchester Rd. (Akron) 330-848-2426; 2437 Canton Rd. (Akron) 330699-3616; 4809 S. Prospect St. (Rootstown) 330-325-0706; 76 West Ave. (Tallmadge) 330-634-9967 $$ L, D, A Fisher’s Café & Pub American cuisine. 1607 Main St. (Peninsula) 330-657-2651 $$ L, D, A, T Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Aged beef, chops, fresh seafood, salad and more than 100 wines by the glass. 4000 Medina Rd. (Akron) 330-670-5200 $$$$ D, A, T Flip Side Gourmet, Ohio-raised beef burgers with chef-crafted condiments, toppings and sides; free-range organic chicken breast sandwiches; and market fresh salads. Craft beer on tap. 49 Village Way (Hudson) 330-655-3547 $$ 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, cinnamonsugar dessert crepes. Closed Sun., Mon., Wed. 1911 Bailey Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-923-3987 $$ L, D, T The Galaxy Restaurant Diverse selection of dishes in a creative building. Fantastic desserts. 201 Park Centre Dr. (Wadsworth) 330-3343663 $$$ B, L, D, A, T Garretts Mill Breakfast items, sandwiches, soup and homemade ice cream. 4226 Hudson Dr. (Stow) 330-926-1344 $$ B, L, T Gasoline Alley Eclectic menu featuring pizza, salads, sandwiches and sauerkraut balls. 870 N. Cleveland-Massillon Rd. (Bath) 330-6662670 $$$ L, D, A, T Geisen Haus Generous portions, great beer selection. 6955 Promway Ave. NW (North Canton) 330-499-9116 $$$ L, D, A, T Gervasi Vineyard & Italian Bistro 55-acre estate, winery and bistro, outdoor seating, six-acre lake with swans and outdoor bocce courts. Committed to fresh ingredients and the locavore movement.

Closed Mon. Lunch Sat. and Sun. 1700 55th St. NE (Canton) 330-4971000 $$$ L, D, A Golden Dragon Chinese fare. Also offers traditional Japanese cooking and sushi. 1634 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-929-1109 $$ 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) 330-745-1900 $$$ L, D, A, T The Grill Room at Martin University Center Casual upscale, sandwiches, salads and entrées. 105 Fir Hill (Akron: Downtown) 330-972-7711 $$ 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) 330477-5411; 1820 W. State St. (Alliance) 330-821-6665; 404 E. Lincoln

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FANFARE 2012 AKRON SYMPHONY’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY

BLACK TIE FUNDRAISER

May 19, 2012 | 6pm Hilton Akron/Fairlawn SOTHEBY-STYLE LIVE AUCTION, DINNER & DANCING

For tickets, event details or to become a sponsor, call 330.535.8131 or email fanfare@akronsymphony.org akronsymphony.org/fanfare2012

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www.akronlife.com

51

uncorked

by Rob Hawk

Crew Wine Company Zamora, California Matchbook Chardonnay Matchbook Tinto Rey

dren — their father took John and Karl to the city jail for an hour stay to impress upon them the futility of their fascination with fire. John and Karl responded to this tough love by later graduating from random fires to the launching of rockets, which often blew up at some stage of their journey, resulting in more random fires and an incident involving the local fire department. Thankfully, they eventually grew out of this “Matchbook” hobby, but their fond memories live on through the Matchbook brand.

Crew Wine Company crafts distinctive wines of place, including the Matchbook wines from the Dunnigan Hills AVA in Yolo County. The company was formed eight years ago by John Giguiere, founder of R.H. Phillips and Toasted Head, along with several former R.H. Phillips employees (the “crew”), who are also involved.

R.H. Phillips dates back to 1983, when it was founded in Dunnigan Hills by John, his wife, Lane, and brother Karl. Within a decade, what began as a small, familyowned winery making a few thousand cases of wine from a few dozen acres of vines transformed into a large, 750,000-case operation. Though Vincor International purchased R.H. Phillips in 2000, John stayed on for a few years, leaving in 2005 to start Crew.

His departure can be attributed to a philosophical difference: The Giguieres wanted to produce “wines of people, place and time” that reflect the vineyard site rather than the brand style. Their goal is to stay familyowned and limit their production, so they’ll probably max out around 100,000 cases, a comfortable number for them and one that seems positively tiny next to the output of the big Californian producers.

So why “Matchbook”? As a farm kid growing up in the late ’50s/early ’60s, John was a bit of a pyromaniac, setting various things on fire, such as his father’s wheat field. At one point — fearing total ruin from his chil52

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The lusciously opulent Matchbook Chardonnay has all the richness without the excessive oak and butter that characterize most California Chardonnays.

Wonderful aromas of pineapple, pear and orange flower honey are prominent with undertones of toasty oak, along with a kiss of orange blossom perfume in the background. Flavors of apple butter and cinnamon toast are balanced by a good dose of lemon zest and a crisp, mineral finish. Pair this lovely Chardonnay with roast chicken and risotto, or a salad of apples, pears and sharp cheese.

Matchbook Tinto Rey, which means “Red King,” is a blend of 44 percent Tempranillo, 36 percent Syrah, 13 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 percent Graciano and 2 percent Petite Sirah. Tempranillo is the king of Spanish red wines, and one of the most important varietals in the Matchbook Vineyard at Dunnigan Hills. Tempranillo and Graciano contribute spicy red berry fruit flavors; Syrah adds rich flavors of black cherry and blueberry; the spicy cedar and tobacco notes are from the cool weather Cabernet Sauvignon; a touch of Petite Sirah pumps up the tannins and the rich color, and adds a little pepper spice. Serve this with red meats and red-sauced pasta.

Both of these Matchbook wines retail for $13 and can be found at local wine retailers such as West Point Market, 750 ML, Regency Wines, Papa Joe’s, Wine Reserve of Medina, North End Market, Mustard Seed, Riverside Wine & Imports and other fine Greater Akron beverage retailers. / Rob Hawk is a regional sales manager at Wine Trends, Inc.

Way (Minerva) 330-868-7824; 500 W. Main St. (Louisville) 330-875-9700 $ 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) 330-633-2322 $$$ L, D, A, T Hattie’s Café & Gifts Training and vocational site for people with disabilities. Features coffee, homemade pastries, ice cream, soups, salads and sandwiches. 164 N. Main St. (Hudson) 330-655-0044; 520 S. Main St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-535-1779; 60 S. High St. (at Akron Library) 330-762-0853; 166 S. High St. (at Akron municipal building) 330-252-0556; 1 S. High St. (at Akron Art Museum) 330-376-9186 $ B, L, D, T Henry Wahner’s Restaurant An old favorite across from KSU. Complete German menu. German-style bar with beers served in ice-cold steins. 1609 E. Main St. (Kent) 330-678-4055 $$$$ D, A, T No credit cards Hibachi Japan Steak House Japanese Hibachistyle cooking, great steak and sushi. 2251 Front St. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-928-3333 $$$ L, D, A, T Hook, Line & Drinkers Try HLD’s famous Grilled Sugar Cane Shrimp Skewer or their fresh-cut fries tossed with Jamaican spice, lime zest, salt and cracked pepper.

Seafood, burgers, salads, grilled menu items, desserts.

530 Portage Lakes Dr. (Akron) 330-864-6653 $$ L, D, A, T Hopocan Gardens Barberton-style chicken. 4396 W. Hopocan Ave. (Barberton) 330-825-9923 $$ L, D, A, T No credit cards House of Hunan Common favorites to spicy specialties. Oriental décor. 12 E. Exchange St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-253-1888; 2717 W. Market St. (Fairlawn Town Centre) 330-864-8201; 18 Public Square (Medina) 330-722-1899 $$ L, D, A, T Hudson’s Restaurant Neighborhood restaurant and bar serving fresh, chef-driven dishes. Family-friendly atmosphere. 80 N. Main St. (Hudson) 330-650-1955; 3900 Medina Rd. (Akron: West) 330-666-7777 $$ B, L, D, A, T Hyde Park Grille New York-style upscale steakhouse.

4073 Medina Rd. (Montrose) 330-670-6303 $$$$ D, A, T, V Ido Bar & Grill Home of the beloved Ido Burger. An Akron tradition since World War II. 1537 S. Main St. (Akron: South) 330-773-1724 $$$ 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) 330-836-3553 $$ L, T Jimmy Bigg’s Grille Burgers, Italian subs, Reubens, wings, Philly cheese steak, BLTs, salads, hand-breaded onion rings and more. 1927 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-929-2444 $$$$ L, D, A, T Ken Stewart’s Grille Widely recognized as one of Akron’s finest. Upscale, eclectic cuisine. Emphasis on steak and seafood. 1970 W. Market St. (Akron: West) 330-8672555 $$$$ L, D, A, T, V Ken Stewart’s Lodge Casual, Adirondack-style atmosphere, eclectic cuisine. 1911 N. Cleveland-Massillon Rd. (Bath) 330-666-8881 $$$$ D, A, T Ken Stewart’s Tre Belle Italian atmosphere and authentic cuisine. Specialties include an antipasto bar, big drinks and an extensive wine list. 1911 N. ClevelandMassillon Rd. (Bath) 330-666-9990 $$$ 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 $$$ L, D, A, T Lanning’s Restaurant Elegant dining atmosphere with a beautiful view. More than 150 types of wine. 826 N. Cleveland-Massillon Rd. (Bath) 330-666-1159, 330-864-2553 $$$$ D, A, T, V Laroush Mediterranean Food and Smoothies Hand-roasted vegetables, meat and produce from local farms. Falafel, hummus, spinach pies and salads. Vegetarian and vegan items. 425 Franklin Ave. (Kent) 330-677-1282 $$ L, D, T Larry’s Main Entrance English-pub style, burgers of note. 1964 W. Market St. (Akron: West) 330-864-8162 $$ L, D, A, T Laziza High-end Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare, plus steak and seafood dishes and a full bar. Acorn Alley, 195 E. Erie St. (Kent) 330-6737000 $$$ 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) 330-7335757 $$$ L, D, A, T The Leopard Eclectic menu with American, Asian, French and Italian influences. Features seven-course chef’s table, prix fixe. 600 N. Aurora Rd. (Aurora) 330-562-2111 $$$$ D, A, T, V The Lockview Traditional American favorites. Fresh menu with spotlight on gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. 207 S. Main St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-252-5128 $$ L, D, A, T 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 $$$ L, D, T Lucca Downtown Locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. Italianinspired menu. Call for reservations. 228 4th St. NW (Canton) 330-4562534. $$$$ L, D, A, T Luchita’s Authentic Mexican cuisine with a four-star rating. 36 Park Lane (Hudson) 330-655-0059 $$$ 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 $$$$ D, A Luigi’s Restaurant An Akron icon. Open late. Serves superb Italian cuisine, salads and award-winning pizza. Voted Best Pizza and Best Italian Restaurant by akronlife readers. Party trays and sheet-pan pizzas available with 24-hour notice. 105 N. Main St. (Akron: Downtown) 330253-2999 $$ L, D, A, T No credit cards Lukity Country Inn Home-style comfort food. 2697 Manchester Rd. (Akron: South) 330-753-5983 $$ B, L, D, T The Main Street Grill A unique concept in in-store dining. The pancake special starts your day off right. 175 Great Oaks Trail in Buehler’s Foods (Wadsworth) 330-336-3588 $$ B, L, D, T Main Wok Fast Chinese cuisine. 2855 W. Market St. (Fairlawn) 330865-8885 $$ L, D, T Accepts Discover and MasterCard Maize Valley Winery Sample wine by bottle or glass. Taste 100+ types of cheeses. Appetizers and sandwiches. Full dinner menu on Saturday evenings. 6193 Edison St. NE (Hartville) 330-877-8344 $$ 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) 330-922-3307 $$ L, D, A, T Mary Coyle Strong pasta selection. Six-time winner of Pasta Yule’s Best Red Sauce. Known for endless ice cream options. 780 W. Market St. (Highland Square) 330-253-1511 $$ L, D Mavis Winkle’s Irish Pub Large, eclectic menu, cozy atmosphere and live music. 5005 Rockside Rd. (Independence) 216-525-0770; 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) 330-723-2853 $$$ 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) 330-877-6477 $ B, L, T Melrose Grille Specialties include pulled pork, beef briskets, grilled pizzas and smoked foods. Sunday brunch. 294 Pearl Rd. (Brunswick) 330-225-5576 $$$ L, D, A, T Menches Brothers Restaurant Inventors of the hamburger and ice cream cone. In Akron since 1901. 3700 Massillon Rd. (Green) 330-896-2288 $$ B, L, D, A, T Michael’s AM Casual, family-style dining. Full breakfast and lunch menu featuring sandwiches and daily specials.1562 Akron-Peninsula Rd. (Merriman Valley) 330-929-3447 $ B, L, T No credit cards Mike’s Place Unique atmosphere, extensive menu. 1700 S. Water St. (Kent) 330-673-6501 $ 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) 330-825-4553 $$ L, D, T Moe’s Hip, intimate atmosphere featuring a diverse chalkboard menu that changes monthly. Martinis, cocktails and extensive selection of wines by the glass. Closed Sun. 2385 Front St. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330928-6600 $$$$ L, D, A, T Molly Brown’s Country Cafe Big breakfasts, South of the Border menu items and large portions. 1792 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-945-4407; 519 Canton Rd. (Ellet) 330-784-4711; 5151 Fulton Dr. NW (Canton) 330-244-9322 $$ 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) 330-819-3834 $ 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 $$$ L, D, A, T Mustard Seed Market Café Located on mezzanine overlooking natural foods market. Menu reflects same strict standards as the market, with naturally raised meats, free-range poultry and foods free from artificial flavors, colorings and preservatives. Full bar, juice bar and espresso. Live music on weekends. Sunday brunch. 3885 W. Market St. (Montrose) 330-666-7333 $$$ 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 The New Peter Shears Downtown NYC atmosphere.

Upscale with small, intimate rooms and muted lighting. Families and kids welcome. 427 E. Tuscarawas St. (Canton: Downtown) 330-5888300 $$$$ L, D, A, T New York 2 Chicago Pizzeria Menu inspired by the famous thin crust pizza of New York and the deep-dish pizza of Chicago. Sauce and dough made fresh daily. Salads and wings. Closed Sun. 4320-1 Kent Rd. (Stow) 330-686-6922 $$ L, D, T Nicolinni’s Ristorante Traditional Italian recipes by way of Youngstown. Pasta, veal, chicken, steak and seafood. 85 W. Montrose Ave. (Akron) 330-664-0808 $$$ L, D, A, T Northside Bar food and live music six nights a week in an historic, turn-of-the-century saloon. Intimate jazz lounge featuring fine wine and spirits. 111 N. Main St. (Akron) 330-434-0611 $$$ L, D, A, T 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) 330-498-9191; 5570 Fulton Dr. NW (Canton) 330-497-9111 $$$ D, A, T The Oaks Lakeside Casual dining, fabulous ambiance in 1914 estate. Outdoor dining and water views. Banquet facility. 5878 Longacre Lane (Chippewa Lake) 800-922-5736 $$$$ D, A The Office Metropolitan bistro and lounge with eclectic ambiance and timeless decor. 778 N. Main St. (Akron) 330-376-9550 $$$ L, D, A, T

www.akronlife.com

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photos by Micah Beree

big bite

Taking Flight at 750ml A friend and I recently visited 750ml Wine Bar, 2287 W. Market St., in West Akron’s Pilgrim Square and sampled their wine flights. Starting at $7.50, “flights” are collections of four wines that are being featured at this intimate wine bar.

As the perfect accompaniment to our wines, we enjoyed 750ml’s cheese and charcuterie plate. This delicious display included Asiago fresco, four-year aged Wisconsin cheddar, imported Spanish chorizo, cornichons, red Peppadew peppers, Marcona almonds, dried cranberries and multigrain flatbread.

This independently-owned and -operated wine bar and boutique offers 600 wines and 20 bottled craft beers. Its complimentary WI-FI and comfortable setting make it an ideal place to meet friends. Check out 750ml’s calendar online, www.750mlwines. com, for special events.

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Olde Harbor Inn Upscale dining with contemporary cuisine.

Overlooks Portage Lakes. 562 Portage Lakes Dr. (Akron) 330-644-1664 $$$$ L, D, A, T On Tap Relaxed atmosphere, great gyros and Greek food. 3263 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-922-0464; 2905 Medina Rd. (Medina) 330-7251972; 4396 Kent Rd. (Stow) 330-686-5359; 3997 Medina Rd. (Akron) 330-668-1116 $$ 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 $$$$ L, D, A Pad Thai Elegant restaurant, extensive menu of traditional Thai dishes. 3545 Brookwall Dr. (Fairlawn) 330-668-9981; 5657 Darrow Rd. (Hudson) 330-650-9998 $$$ 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 $$ B, L, D, T Paolo’s Small menu of appetizers, paninis and salads. Tues., martini specials; Wed., sushi specials; Thurs., university night drink specials. 1 W. Exchange St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-252-1995 $$ L, D, A, T Papa Bear’s Italian Restaurant Authentic, homemade Italian food. 4990 Dressler Rd. NW (Canton: Belden Village) 330-4930090 $$$ L, D, A, T Papa Gyros Greek Grill Authentic Greek fare. Greek wine and beer. 4760 Everhard Rd. NW (Canton: Belden Village) 330-497-1100; 2045 Cleveland Ave. NW (Canton) 330-456-9000 $$ L, D, A, T Papa Joe’s Classy atmosphere, extensive wine list, fine Italian fare, seafood and steaks. 1561 Akron-Peninsula Rd. (Merriman Valley) 330923-7999 $$$ L, D, A, T Parasson’s Good pasta. Great for family dining. 501 N. Main St. (Akron: North) 330-376-2117; 959 E. Waterloo Rd. (Akron) 330-7249375; 3983 Darrow Rd. (Stow) 330-688-3650; 364 Wooster Rd. N. (Barberton) 330-753-2264 $$ L, D, A, T Piatto Novo Authentic Italian fare including steaks and seafood, coupled with a breathtaking view of the Cuyahoga River. 1989 Front St. at the Sheraton (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-920-7530 $$$$ L, D, A Pillitiere’s The sub sandwiches and affordable lunches are a Firestone Park tradition. 61 E. Waterloo Rd. (Akron: South) 330-773-0206 $ B, L, D, A, T PINTS! Your Premiere Liquid Grille Numerous tap offerings along with sandwiches, pizza, wings and fried delicacies. 426 E. Exchange St. (Akron: University Park) 330-535-2276 $ L, D, A, T Platinum Dragon A great spot for people-watching. Menu features a variety of Chinese favorites. 814 W. Market St. (Highland Square) 330-434-8108 $$ 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) 330-644-2239 $$$$ L, D, A, T Primo’s Deli An Akron mainstay since 1979. Try their famous corned beef sandwich or spicy Italian sub, and finish with a slice of homemade carrot cake. Closed Sun. and Mon. 1707 Vernon Odom Blvd. (Akron) 330-745-9056 $$ 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) 330-376-3663 $$ L, D, A, T Pufferbelly Ltd. Located in historic Kent railroad depot. 152 Franklin Ave. (Kent) 330-673-1771 $$$ 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) 330-864-7245 $$ L, D, A, T Raj Mahal Traditional Indian cuisine with excellent lamb and chicken curry dishes. Daily lunch buffet. 2035 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330926-0795 $$$ 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, home-style cooking from breakfast to burgers. Perfect for family dining. 4065 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-923-1234 $$ B, L, D, T Reserve Inn A Hudson landmark featuring fine cuisine and an upscale setting. Traditional steaks and ribs with a Cajun selection or two. 30 W. Streetsboro St. (Hudson) 330-650-1717 $$$$ L, D, A, T Rosewood Grill Seasonally inspired with the fresh appeal of a local farmer’s market. Happy hour, Mon.-Fri., 3-6 p.m. 36 E. Streetsboro St. (Hudson) 330-656-2100 $$$$ L (Fri/Sat only), D, A, T Rush Hour Bar & Grill American menu. 8870 Darrow Rd. (Twinsburg) 330-425-3221 $$ L, D, A, T Russo’s Unique cuisine featuring Cajun and Italian influences. Finedining 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, ginger-seasoned yellow lentils and garlic naan. 1224 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 Samira Chef-inspired entrées, casual comfort foods and tavern-style appetizers. Closed Sun. 2291 Riverfront Pkwy. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330923-4233 $$$$ L, D, A, T, V Sarah’s Vineyard Sample high-quality 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) 330-9298057 $$ L, D, A Schwebel Room Fine dining on KSU campus. (Kent) 330-6722583 $$$ 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 Sisters Century House Historic building overlooks Ohio Canal.

Known for twice-baked potatoes. 123 S. Canal St. (Canal Fulton) 330854-9914 $$ B, L, D, T Skyway Drive-In Restaurant A West Akron tradition. Drivein burgers, fast fare. 2781 W. Market St. (Fairlawn) 330-836-2806; 951 E. Turkeyfoot Rd. (Green) 330-896-9350; 3296 Medina Rd. (Medina) 330-721-8561 $ L, D, T Sonnets Espresso Bar & Restaurant Signature blend coffee, local craft beer, made-to-order sandwiches, salads, soups, kids’ meals and live music every weekend. Closed Sunday. 117 College St. (Wadsworth) 330-336-5557 $$ B, L, D, A, T Spaghetti Warehouse Generous portions, Italian favorites and a unique atmosphere. Eat in an old railroad car or a converted bed. 510 S. Main St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-374-0025 $$ L, D, A, 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 $$$ L, D, A, T Steak on a Stone Steaks, seafood and poultry served on volcanic stone heated to more than 750 degrees. Sunday brunch.145 Montrose West Ave. (Copley) 330-665-2929 $$$$ L, D, A, T Steinly’s Down-home breakfasts are a mainstay. 235 E. Waterloo Rd. (Akron: South) 330-773-6422 $ B, L, D, T Steve’s Dakota Grill Upscale casual NW lodge setting with prime-rib specialty voted Best of the Best. Fresh seafood daily. 2809 Pearl Rd. (Medina) 330-725-6288 $$$$ D, A, T Stew Pot Kitchen Serves soups, stews, slow-cooked meals, beer-flavored brats and more. Menu changes weekly. Specials offer unique flavors and pairings. Closed weekends. 23 S. Main St. (Akron) 330-376-7839 $ L, D, T Strickland’s Founded in 1936. Run by the third generation of the Strickland family. 1809 Triplett Blvd. (Akron); 4050 Cascades Blvd., Unit A, (Brimfield) 330-346-0166; 294 Pearl Rd. (Brunswick) 330273-4600; 2629 Bailey Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-929-8498; 3465 S. Arlington Rd. (Green) 330-899-9477; 2930 Medina Rd. (Medina) 330-721-9567; 3985 Medina Rd. (Montrose) 330-670-0811; 3916 Cleveland-Massillon Rd. (Norton) 330-706-9920; 9070 State Rt. 14 (Streetsboro) 330-626-2750 $ T Sugo Modern Italian Bistro Seasonal menu, bar menu, wine dinners and nightly fixed-price 4-course dinners that include wine, coffee and dessert. Closed Mon. 2485 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 234678-7153 $$$$ L, D, A, T

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www.akronlife.com

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by Bev Shaffer

mad platter

Cry Me a River / One woman’s strategy for cutting onions without the weeping … /

Life is like an onion You peel it off one layer at a time And sometimes you weep. – Carl Sandburg

>> The knife goes in … and it starts as a tingling sensation that builds to a burn and then — cue the waterworks. That’s right. I’ve never met an onion that didn’t make me weep.

So I set out to learn what lends onions their incendiary power — determined to subdue it.

Through the scientific part of my research, limited as it was, I ascertained that an enzyme and a sulfur compound peacefully coexist in onions. That is, of course, until we apply the knife! Once the onion is pierced — voila! — two peace-loving compounds combine to form a volatile chemical that, when airborne, is irritating to our tear ducts.

Does This Work?

Try wiping your knife with lemon juice before cutting the onion. Some swear by this simple strategy.

Some culinary research (e.g. opinions of anyone else who’s had an onion bring them to tears!) yielded inconclusive results, so I started shopping around instead. As it turns out, many of the local kitchen stores — Williams-Sonoma in Fairlawn, Bed Bath and Beyond in Wadsworth, Western Reserve School of Cooking in Hudson, and Today’s Kitchen in Wooster — carry an assortment of “solutions,” such as: Onion goggles — When I used them, they did ward off a few tears, but I still felt some of the burn — and more than a little dorky.

wait … maybe it was soaking the onion in cold water. Doesn’t matter. Neither led to dry eyes.

Onion “holder” — This thing resembled a ‘Fro Pick from the ‘60s (or was it the ‘70s?), and I think when you opened the package, you heard a Sly and the Family Stone song. Its tines sat in the onion and held it in place, necessitating cutting between the sections very, very carefully.

Armed with knowledge — and a freshly sharpened knife (to injure as few of the onion’s cells as possible) — my plan is to burn a few unscented (as opposed to onion-scented!) candles while cutting in order to draw away and purge some of the onion’s irksome fumes.

(Out, out damn fumes!)

A sharp knife — This is my favorite solution. And it’s not so much a chef ’s knife as a very sharp paring knife. I also found that keeping the root end attached to the onion after peeling gave me a natural “handle” on things and helped me accomplish the task quickly.

As for those onion goggles, I’m thinking about working them into next year’s Halloween costume. Maybe I’ll go as a Soap Box Derby kid.

Why does a sharp knife cut down on tears? It glides through the onion, causing a minimal of jagged strands and minimizing the need for re-cuts (and more tears).

/ Bev Shaffer is a freelance writer voted “most likely to be witty” during her incredibly fulfilling time in high school. Her Mad Platter column often deals with issues of conflama (conflict and drama) that affect, irritate and generally amuse. Relax with some chocolate and enjoy her website, www.bevshaffer.com.

For kicks, I also researched old wives’ tales about cutting an onion without crying, like biting down on a matchstick, freezing the onion … no, 56

akronlife

may 2012

Comments? E-mail them to editor@bakermediagroup.com.

Season Matters Fall — Onions harvested in the fall are more pungent and tart than the same variety harvested in the spring or summer.

Winter — Onions harvested in the cooler months hold less water and have a more concentrated, intense flavor, as well as those troublesome tear-inducing gases.

Spring and summer — Best bet for crybabies! You can purchase and store spring and summer onions for many months if done properly — any cool, dry, dark area will do. Consider a garage, pantry, root cellar or the lower drawer of your refrigerator set on a dry humidity setting.

Geek Alert!

Why We Cry: The Chemistry When you cut into an onion, its ruptured cells release allinase enzymes and amino acid sulfoxides, with the former breaking down the latter into sulfenic acids. An unstable bunch, the sulfenic acids spontaneously rearrange into thiosulfinates, which produce a pungent odor and, at one time, got blamed for our tears. Not so fast! The sulfenic acids are also converted into a gas called synpropanethial-S-oxide — known as the Lachrymatory (crying) Factor. When it reaches our eyes, the fibers in our cornea begin firing away, telling our lachrymal glands to wash away the irritant. Cue the tears.

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) 330-7947952 $$ B, L, T Swensons Drive In Voted best cheeseburger in America. Signature burger is the Galley Boy. 658 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave. (Akron: North) 330928-8515; 40 S. Hawkins Ave. (Akron: West) 330-864-8416; 4466 Kent Rd. (Stow) 330-678-7775; 40 Brookmont Rd. (Montrose) 330-6651858; 5815 Wales Ave. (Jackson Twp.) 330-833-5454; 1558 N. Main St. (North Canton) 330-499-9494 $ L, D, T Taco Tontos Funky, college atmosphere featuring authentic Mexican cuisine made from scratch. Good selection of vegetarian dishes. 123 Franklin Ave. (Kent) 330-677-0223 $$ 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) 330376-7171, 800-826-4437 $$$$ D, A, T Taste of Bangkok & Sushi Bar Menu includes curries, noodle dishes and hand-rolled sushi. Variety of lunch specials. 514 E. Exchange St. (Akron: University Park) 330-252-2270 $$ L, D, T Tequila Pancho’s Many flavors of margaritas. 5893 AkronCleveland 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 $$ B, L, D, A, T 3 Point Upscale casual American dining with a gourmet twist. Hand-cut steaks, pastas, and fresh chicken and seafood. Craft beers from around the world, boutique wine list. 45 E. Market St. (Akron: Downtown) 330535-6410 $$$ 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) 330-494-3500, 800-994-2662 $$$ L, D, A, T Thyme the Restaurant Fine dining. Contemporary cuisine with worldly influences, served in an upscale, modern setting. 716 N. Court St. (Medina) 330-674-4114 $$$$ L, D, A, T Tim’s Pizzeria and Pub Casual, sit-down restaurant serving pizza, pasta, homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts. Open for lunch only on weekends. 2823 Bailey Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-9281530 $$ D, A, T Tito’s Mexican Grill Dining room features wooden chairs and tables hand-carved 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 $$ L, D, A, T Tomaso’s Italian Villa Family-owned and operated for over 50 years. Features classic Italian cuisine. Pasta dinners, pizza, fortunes (calzones), salads, desserts, beer and wine. Kids’ menu. 3271 Barber Rd. (Norton) 330-745-6063 $$ L, D, A, T Tong-Tong First Chinese restaurant in Hudson/Stow area. Family-style dining. 1646 Norton Rd. (Stow) 330-655-2550 $$ L, D, A, T Tony’s Speakeasy A great place to chill. Home of the Chocolate Martini. Sandwich originals including The Godfather, Sleeps with the Fishes, Joe the Boss and The SpeakEasy Burger. Call for hours. 560 W Tuscarawas Ave. (Barberton) 330-753-9454 $$ D, A, T Totally Cooked To-Go Market Comfort foods, soups, madeto-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) 330-294-1120 $$ B, L, D, T Trackside Grille at Quaker Square Train-themed restaurant with three actual railroad cars inside. 135 S. Broadway St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-253-4541 $$ 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 $$$$ D, A, T Valley Café Owned by a five-star gourmet chef. Features friendly service, dishes made from scratch and famous cabbage soup. 1212 Weathervane Lane (Merriman Valley) 330-865-0101 $ B, L, T The Valley Inn This one-time country roadhouse has been transformed into a family hot-spot. The prime rib is gigantic. 15004 Portage St. (Doylestown) 330-658-9859 $$$ L, D, A, T Varsity Bar & Grill Beer-battered 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 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) 330-928-5751 $ 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) 330-880-0760 $$$ 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 Quaint breakfast place, perfect for Sunday brunch. 338 Locust St. (Akron: Downtown) 330-762-3388; 750 Darrow Rd. (Tallmadge) 330-633-7400 $ B, L, 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) 330-9668866 $$$$ L, D, T Waterloo Restaurant Eclectic menu. Famous for the Waterloo Big Apple and French onion soup. 423 E. Waterloo Rd. (Akron: South) 330-7735158 $$ 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 $ B, L, T Whitehouse Chicken A Barberton tradition. 180 Wooster Rd. N. (Barberton) 330-745-0449; 2457 State Rd. (Cuyahoga Falls) 330-9456555; 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) 330-2962800 $$ L, D, T Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers Famous chili, generous portions and live entertainment on the weekends. 3600 Brecksville Rd. (Richfield) 330659-3600 $$ D, A No credit cards Wild Goats Coffee & Café Offers light entrées, vegan and vegetarian soups, and exceptional coffee. 319 W. Main St. (Kent) 330-6772326 $$ B, L, D, T Winking Lizard Come to see the lizard, stay for the extensive beer selection and food. 25 Ghent Rd. (Fairlawn) 330-836-6129; 1615 Main St. (Peninsula) 330-467-1002; 5710 Fulton Dr. NW (Canton) 330-497-1133 $$$ L, D, A, T Yellowtail Japanese-style seafood and sushi buffet. 4054 Medina Rd. (Montrose) 330-666-9988 $$$$ L, D, A, T

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

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education

by Abby Cymerman and photos by Shane Wynn

Top Teachers

/ Outstanding educators in our local classrooms /

“To teach is to touch lives forever” — It’s more than just a saying. The lasting influence of a great teacher is a rare treasure, and one not to be taken for granted.

Whether a teacher shares a song to help students memorize the United States in alphabetical order, builds students’ confidence so they can give a speech in class, or simply serves as a reliable mentor in a student’s often-unreliable world — we believe that great teachers are the unsung superheroes of our neighborhoods.

This year, four local teachers have been nominated by their principals for their commitment to our children and our community. We salute their boundless energy, unwavering patience and never-ending optimism.

Thank you!

Andrea McKinney Our Lady of the Elms Elementary School Teaches: Kindergarten and 1st grade Years spent teaching: 10 years Why did you decide to become a teacher?

“Because of my own early childhood experiences. I had two exceptional teachers who made learning fun and exciting — and one teacher who really beat down my spirit. Looking back as an adult, I was able to see how those different experiences had lasting effects on me. I wanted to be able to influence children the way those positive teachers influenced me.”

Who was your most influential teacher and why?

“My kindergarten teacher, Miss Resser. Her classroom was so warm and welcoming; one couldn’t help but be excited to be there. She made me and all the other children feel as if they were important and loved. I knew how much she loved being with us. I knew I was safe, loved and respected in her classroom.”

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What are the biggest challenges facing teachers today?

“The pressure of standardized tests. There is pressure to not only teach all of the state standards to a very diverse group of students, but then a teacher’s success is measured on how well their students perform on these tests. Luckily, at The Elms, we’re entrusted to develop lessons based on our teaching style and the needs of our students. We’re encouraged to implement hands-on learning experiences that are meaningful to our students and not just standardized tests.”

What has been your most inspiring moment in teaching?

“My most inspiring moments in teaching come every time I witness one of my girls in a leadership role. Whether it’s during a prayer service in front of 100-plus people or sharing a project with their peers during class, the girls radiate self confidence. My heart swells with pride whenever I see the girls interacting with adults or fellow classmates. They truly are inspiring! I often think, ‘If this is what they’re like now, I can’t wait to see what successful, self-confident women they will grow up to be!’ ” What’s the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher?

“A good teacher does what is required of her to do: write lessons, teach children and perform her duties. A great teacher inspires her students. She engages students with meaningful lessons that really stay with them. She’s passionate about what she does, and her students know it. A great teacher ignites a desire for her students to be lifelong learners.”

Do you have any advice for the next generation of teachers?

“Make your lessons fresh, fun and meaningful for both you and your students. I have some great lessons that I recycle each year, but I’m always trying new projects and activities. It helps me from getting bored, and my students and their interests are forever changing! Stay energized and never be afraid to try new things — the kids will love you for it!”

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If you are looking to experience a quality learning environment in a warm, friendly and deeply rooted community atmosphere, look no further than St. Sebastian Parish School. For more information or to schedule your visit today, call St. Sebastian Parish School at (330) 836-9107.

Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.

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Debera Lorincz Our Lady of the Elms Middle School/High School Teaches: AP U.S. History, Psychology and Global Studies (grades 11 and 12); and Social Studies (grades 7 and 8) Years spent teaching: 26 years Why did you decide to become a teacher?

“I have known that I wanted to become a teacher since I was in third grade. My father was in the Army for over 20 years, and we traveled all over the world. I visited places I read in my history books, and I was captivated.”

Who was your most influential teacher and why?

Bill Donovan Canton Country Day School Teaches: Technology/Robotics, grades 4-8 Years spent teaching: 10 Why did you decide to become a teacher?

“I teach because I enjoy learning, and I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction knowing that my talents and abilities are utilized to improve the lives of my students. Teaching keeps me engaged as a learner, constantly exploring new areas of knowledge with my students.”

Who was your most influential teacher and why?

“My high school music teacher encouraged me to reach for high levels of proficiency and taught me how important it is to work collaboratively with others.”

What are the biggest challenges facing teachers today?

“Change! Keeping up with changes in technology and best practices in education requires a major commitment of time and resources.”

What has been your most inspiring moment in teaching?

“Coaching my first robotics team in 2005. I witnessed the educational benefits of the robotics competition.”

What’s the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher?

“Great teachers are great learners. They’re always looking for ways to improve their teaching skills and improve student learning.”

Do you have any advice for the next generation of teachers?

“Keep learning! Make a major commitment to your own professional development. Create a learning network of peers and experts you admire and respect, and use them to improve your teaching.”

“The teacher who has influenced me most is Sr. Fabian Mango, O.P., from the Elms. She taught AP U.S. History for over 20 years, and when she decided it was time to think about retirement, she mentored me to take over the course. We team-taught for three years, and she provided me the foundation to feel confident in teaching it on my own. That was eight years ago, so it shows that even seasoned teachers can be influenced well into their careers.”

What are the biggest challenges facing teachers today?

“Staying current with technology and working with students to help them know what good methods for using technology are. It’s a wonderful resource tool, but it can be misused as well.”

What has been your most inspiring moment in teaching?

“Seeing the joy and excitement in my middleschool students when we visit Williamsburg every other year. I can see each of them realize that history is alive!”

What’s the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher?

“A great teacher gives their students their best each day. A great teacher knows she can teach every student regardless of their ability and will help them reach their full potential. A great teacher always believes in her students.”

Do you have any advice for the next generation of teachers?

“Teach with your heart as well as your head.”

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Sally Weakland St. Sebastian School Teaches: 7th and 8th grade Language arts and 7th grade Religion Years spent teaching: 13, with 2 years off to get her Master’s Why did you decide to become a teacher?

“In college, I realized I needed to do something that I felt was meaningful to me, which meant helping others. Although I worked extensively with the homeless, I decided to focus on the youth, who have so much potential. For that reason, I really enjoy teaching junior high because they have good critical thinking ability and can still take advantage of any opportunities if they get the foundation they need now.”

Who was your most influential teacher and why?

“I have two. Mary Kee was a great teacher in grade school at Christ the King (now North Akron Catholic). She pushed us to think critically and independently. Mrs. Stone at North High School was also vital because she gave me knowledge about writing and confidence in my ability. She also pushed her students and was uncompromising on quality.”

What are the biggest challenges facing teachers today?

Debera Lorincz

“Keeping students motivated to learn and to overcome competition with the many distractions including sports, extracurricular activities, Internet activities, etc. It’s very difficult to help students see that the goal of learning isn’t the grade, but knowledge and skill which result from the work.”

What has been your most inspiring moment in teaching? “[There was] a student who struggled as a writer in seventh grade, worked very hard to improve, and by the end of eighth grade won a scholarship based only on writing ability.”

What’s the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher?

“The main difference is in student expectations. Our students are capable of great things when really challenged, but they need to be pushed.”

Sally Weakland

Do you have any advice for the next generation of teachers?

“See each new day as an opportunity to start over and make a difference. Teaching won’t be easy, but in the day-to-day struggle, remember that what you do impacts the future of so many children in your class even if you don’t always, or often, get to see the end result of your hard work. Also, if you maintain high standards for your students, they’ll surprise you.”

Comments?

St. Sebastian School

E-mail them to editor@bakermediagroup.com. www.akronlife.com

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life@50+

by Julia Valentine

A Mindset Makeover

/ Most Americans admit they’re unprepared for retirement. Are you one of them? /

Aah … retirement. The time of your life.

At least it should be.

With more than 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 each day, modern retirement is riskier than it used to be — when there were safeguards and veritable guarantees in place. These days, however, the burden of assuring a suitable retirement nest egg has shifted from employers and the government to individual retirees. And far too many still haven’t adapted to these changes — finding themselves ill-equipped or, worse, unable to retire when they want to.

In fact, most Americans actually admit to being unprepared. The 2010 Wells Fargo Retirement Fitness Survey found that nearly three-quarters of respondents (72 percent) don’t have any idea how much they’ll be able to spend or on what, and 67 percent don’t have a written plan related to their life expectancy or for determining how long their savings will need to last. Worse yet, a Harris Poll found that over a third of Americans have no retirement savings at all.

While a lot of risk factors are beyond a retiree’s control, there are still a lot of ways that you can better assure a prosperous and secure second half of life. But you have to get your head in the game!

Today, successful retirement requires a proactive approach with realistic planning and a road map for creating financial and emotional well-being. As risks have increased over the years, many tools and resources have become available to help us realize better results with less stress: t Vision is vital. While economists and political pundits continue to ponder why Americans under-save for retirement, psychologists may have found an answer. According to psychologist Dan Ariely, some of our current financial tools like retirement calculators don’t do the job intended. When a calculator generates a number, “it doesn’t help us imagine what it’d be like to live to 100 if we have very little in our savings by the age of 70,” says Ariely. “And because it doesn’t translate into anything that we can visualize or comprehend, it doesn’t motivate us to try harder to save more.”

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Retirement by the Numbers

72% of Americans have no idea how much they’ll be able to spend in retirement.

67% of Americans don’t have a written plan related to life expectancy or how long their savings need to last.

37% of Americans (and 43% age 60-69) aren’t sure or can’t estimate how much money they’ll need during retirement.

Eight out of 10 Americans say they’d be motivated to save if they were told the specific amount of money they’ll need during retirement.

20-somethings are the least confident about the stock market and 40-somethings are the most stressed.

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lifestyle needs must be fulfilled to make you happy, and then find specific ways to ensure those needs can be met. Retirement lifestyle design then becomes the driver for making good choices and building the foundation of physical, emotional and financial health that ensures fulfillment after 50. t Knowledge is power. The 2010 Wells Fargo Retirement Fitness Survey found that the typical American isn’t knowledgeable about health care costs, life expectancy, income needs, inflation and other risks. Understandably, this lack of clarity creates apprehension and distress.

The biggest financial worry among the age 55+ population is being unable to afford uninsured medical expenses during retirement. In fact, older Americans are 2.5 times as likely to say they’re worried about paying for uninsured medical expenses in retirement as they are about a lack of personal savings.

And almost seven in 10 people will need some long-term care — such as home care, assisted living or nursing home care — after age 65 (with the average annual cost for a private nursing home room around $80,000).

The reason people can spend months planning a wedding or weeks planning a vacation is because they have a vision, an anticipation of what’s to come, along with the motivation to follow through. As long as our perception of retirement as “declining years” persists, there’s little motivation to plan or look forward to it.

Envisioning and mapping out an appealing lifestyle before you get to the retirement calculator will motivate you to invest in your prosperity, as well as your physical and emotional health. In fact, a Yale University study found that a positive image of old age may add, on average, 7-½ years to your life span. t Alleviate angst with automation. Some of the classic tools recommended by financialplanning professionals, such as making a detailed budget, don’t take into account the level of stress that can result from using them.

No one disputes what needs to be done; rather, it’s the approach itself that can make some people uncomfortable. Luckily, there are a myriad of automated tools and techniques to simplify such processes, including automatic savings and automatic expense tracking.

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Remember, financial tools should help you gain control and confidence, rather than produce anxiety. So spend some time identifying and setting up tech-driven systems that work for you. t Fuel your own fire. Research on motivation by the University of Rochester showed that “self-motivation, rather than external (or extrinsic) motivation, is at the heart of creativity, responsibility, healthy behavior and lasting change.” With this in mind, working toward a happy, healthy and successful retirement requires self-initiated actions versus those you’re taking to appease others. New tools consistent with this understanding are available to provide support and help you achieve such self-directed goals. Seek and leverage any help you can get when motivating yourself to live well. t Design your destination. Successful, happy retirement is impossible without planning based on self-examination. Indeed, a Dartmouth University study found that people who plan end up with twice the wealth of people who don’t. Beyond financial planning, it’s imperative to take time to figure out what

may 2012

Now is the time to take control and start creating the senior lifestyle you want. To ease and expedite the process, take advantage of specialized resources that are readily available.

For example, regional events like retirement expos provide convenient, one-stop access to a variety of retirement solutions. These valuable expos help retirees explore their comprehensive options, gain insights, make comparisons and create a realistic blueprint for retirement.

Only 51 percent of Americans 45–59 years old have tried to calculate how much they need to save for retirement. Yet retirement is the time when you’ve fulfilled your obligations to others and should be free to make yourself a priority. But only with proper preparation and forethought can you realize your full potential and enjoy the quality of life in retirement that you so deserve. / Julia Valentine is the author of “Joy Compass: How to Make Your Retirement the Treasure of Your Life” and the founder of JoyCompass.com, which offers a new approach to preparing for, designing and enjoying life in retirement.

Comments?

E-mail them to editor@bakermediagroup. com.

6 Common Financial Mistakes Made

by Retirees 1. Taking financial advice from friends and family over that of professionals. Even the most well-intentioned and insightful advice doesn’t replace that of an expert. You’re making critical decisions that will impact the entirety of your life, for the rest of your life.

2. Underestimating inflation. If your nest egg isn’t earning enough to stay ahead of inflation and taxes, your retirement lifestyle is likely to suffer. It’s key to establish the appropriate blend of risk and return necessary to maintain short-term purchasing power in working toward your long-term goals.

3. Withdrawing too much money early on in retirement and running out of resources later on in life. The typical American isn’t knowledgeable about health care costs, life expectancy, income needs and other risks.

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4. Lacking a financial plan. This includes estate planning, budget, etc. for both the short- and long-term to avoid problems and capitalize on all financial opportunities.

5. Failing to adjust the asset allocation of investment vehicles in your portfolio with time (i.e., “stage of retirement” relative to life expectancy), and having an inappropriate mix of investments for your lifestyle goals, timeframes and risk tolerance.

6. Failing to educate yourself about financial scams. One out of five Americans over 65 has been a victim of a financial scam, according to the Washington-based nonprofit Investor Protection Trust. More than 7.3 million seniors are taken advantage of financially through inappropriate investments, high fees or fraud, at a cost of more than $2.6 billion a year. And four out of five cases aren’t reported, according to a 2009 MetLife Mature Market Institute Study.

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Health Matters The Weight of the Nation and Our Region When Amy Jo R. Friedman, MD of Kaiser Permanente’s Fairlawn medical offices was asked about obesity and being overweight, she replied that the United States and Northeast Ohio are in the midst of a public health crisis fueled by an epidemic of obesity.

With consequences far greater than any disease in recent memory, obesity affects 97 million Americans. Research indicates obesity and overweight conditions are the second leading causes of preventable deaths in the country. If the obesity problem continues without meaningful intervention, entire generations are at risk.

Startling? Maybe. Overwhelming? Yes, especially if you are overweight or obese.

Impossible? No way.

Steps to Take

Take some steps—literally and figuratively. First, talk to your doc. Make it a two-way conversation and be honest regarding your goals. Realize that losing weight will not take place overnight. It will take months, possibly years. It will take dedication and discipline. There will be rewards and there will be setbacks.

Goals and Motivation Set goals. Make them realistic and bite-sized. Instead of trying to lose 75 pounds in ten months, focus on losing eight pounds every month or better yet, two pounds every week. Find your motivation for losing weight.

Maybe it’s a vacation, graduation, or just the desire to become healthier.

Whatever it is, use it to help you through this journey.

Support System A strong support system helps get you through stumbles, holidays, and days when it is difficult to be motivated. This could be a spouse, family member, friend, or even someone at your workout facility. Lean on this person when needed. Make certain they understand your goals and will help you stay on course to becoming healthy.

To help combat America’s obesity epidemic, Kaiser Permanente has joined with Home Box Office (HBO), the Institute of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to launch The Weight of the Nation, one of the nation’s largest public health campaigns on obesity to date. The centerpiece of The Weight of the Nation campaign is a four-part series that will premiere on HBO on May 14 and 15, 2012. Each film examines the obesity epidemic from a unique point of view. HBO is providing an open signal for The Weight of the Nation so nonsubscribers can get the show free from participating satellite TV and local cable providers. The shows will also be available for free download after May 17, 2012 at theweightofthenation.hbo.com.

It’s Total Health Look at your eating habits. Do you snack? Do you eat seconds, oversized portions, or foods that are processed and high in fat and sodium content?

Start cutting back and look to eventually eliminate these. Add more vegetables and fruits to your diet.

Walk the talk. Start moving gradually for 5, 10, or 15 minutes. Walk reasonable distances. Then push yourself to walk farther, faster, and longer. Try to extend walking to 30 minutes a day. Maybe it is for one day and then increase the exercise to three and then five days a week. Visit everybodywalk.org for information, inspiration, and an app to help you track and save your own walking routes.

Resources Abound Many free resources are available for the public to begin the process.

Begin by speaking with your doctor and then visiting kp.org/thrive.

No matter what your goal is—to lose weight for a special event, boost your confidence, get your family’s weight on track, or prevent health problems—making small changes can add up to big success.

Dr. Friedman grew up in Portage County and is based at Kaiser Permanente’s Fairlawn medical offices. As a family medicine physician, she enjoys caring for the entire range of ages, from infants to the very elderly, and particularly enjoys women’s and teen health. Learn more about Kaiser Permanente’s physicians at kp.org/ohio.

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Preserving the Past. Forging the Future.

Preserving the Past. Forging the Future.

Medina

Welcome to the City of Medina Welcome from Mayor Dennis Hanwell

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s mayor, it is my honor and privilege to share with you the amenities that Medina has to offer. As the county seat for Medina County, the City of Medina hosts the Medina County Courts, most of the Medina County offices and the Medina Municipal Court. I’m proud that the City of Medina is a business-friendly, safe community with many proactive programs to help enrich the quality of life for our residents, business owners and visitors. We have established an excellent customerservice model to assist residents and businesses that are currently located in Medina, as well as those looking to relocate here.

We have a picturesque downtown Square, where the city partners with community organizations to host numerous events to showcase our city. These include the Ice Festival, weekly Farmers’ Markets in the summer, arts-and-craft festivals, International Festival, Fall Festival, Candlelight Walk to kick off the Christmas season and Friday night community band concerts in June and July.

We’re also very proud of our excellent safety services, world-class health care facilities and diverse industrial base. Our vast park system includes baseball, softball, soccer and football fields, a frisbee golf course, walking/bike trails, playgrounds and a splash pad for summer enjoyment. We’re also blessed to have a state-of-the-art recreation center.

We encourage you to come and visit Medina to eat, shop, enjoy a beverage or take part in one of the many activities provided in the city. I look forward to seeing you soon in our fine city.

Dennis Hanwell Mayor, City of Medina

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What town has burned down -- twice, has the oldest public building still standing in Ohio, became famous for beekeeping, and has one of the nation’s most venerable community bands?

Medina, Ohio, is all this, and much more. ounded in 1818, and once noted as The Sweetest Hometown in America thanks to the honeybee industry started by A.I. Root in 1869, the nine-block historic district of Medina enchants anyone who visits the classic Midwestern town, and even more so, those who call it home.

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Medina, like many other small towns in the 19th century, has suffered its fair share of tragedies, including two major fires that nearly destroyed the commercial district. In 1870, the second and far more devastating fire destroyed a total of 45 buildings -- almost the entire town center. With prosperity and a committed community, the district was rebuilt from 18711885, in the latest Victorian style with brick and applied metal decoration.

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Time and modern materials were not kind to the Historic District, and by the mid-1960s, Medina looked like any other community, with metal cheese-grater building facades, forlorn and faded neon signs, and an eyesore of a public square. Thanks to a tireless group of community activists, the district was restored one building at a time and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Medina is often cited as a national example of historic preservation and economic development.

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There is almost always something to do or see in Medina, but weekends are the best time to spend a few hours or an entire day walking the district, shopping, eating, or just taking some time to sit on the Square and relax. A few of the many free, public events include the popular Medina Ice Festival, a four-day celebration of winter on President’s Day weekend; the stellar Medina Community Band Concerts on the Square, which have been taking place for over 150 years (Friday evenings in June & July, 8:30-

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9:30 p.m.); several fine art fairs; the Medina International Fest on the last Saturday in August that draws over 20,000 to the Square in one day; a family-friendly Halloween Harvest Fest in October; and the hugely popular Medina Candlelight Walk, which kicks off the official holiday season with 1,300 candlelit luminaries and an incredible Holiday Parade of Lights. (Visit www. mainstreetmedina.com for more information.)

A typical Saturday morning might begin with breakfast at one of the local restaurants, offering everything from traditional bacon and eggs or omelets at Eli’s Kitchen (115 Public Square), to the more creative cuisine of Chef Brian at Marie’s Café (117 Public Square) who often uses fresh ingredients from the Medina County Farmers’ Market (Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Square) to inspire his menu. After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to hit the shops around the District.

The Sweetest Hometown in America Medina

Medina is fairly unique with no chains, franchises or big box stores on the Square. Instead, the historic storefronts are home to a very diverse collection of local stores, selling wares from fine art to Amish-made furniture, artisan yarns, sparkplugs, beads from around the world, tea sets, greeting cards, vegan dog treats, upscale consignment clothing, antiques, Army/Navy surplus and so much more.

As Kimberly Rice, City of Medina Economic Development Director, often says, “Shop early, shop often!” for the best selection.

Gramercy Gallery (221 S. Court St.) offers original works of local and regional art, Crabtree & Evelyn products, gourmet food mixes, antiques and artistic women’s wear.

Located in one of the oldest and best preserved buildings in the district, it’s worth a stop for the goods AND the space!

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www.wrmcohio.org 4931 Nettleton Rd., Medina, OH // 1-866-433-1514 (conveniently located near I-71 & Rt. 18)

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Eastwood Furniture (23 Public Square) sells furniture, but we’re not just talking any furniture. This is the real deal: solid hardwood furniture, made to order (you can even pick what color stain you want) by Ohio Amish craftspeople. Down the hall in Town Square Commons is The Potomac Bead Co., which offers thousands of unique beads from around the world, including a HUGE selection of Swarovski Crystals, for crafting, jewelry making or collecting.

One stop you don’t want to miss is Medina Hardware (225 S. Court) operating out of the same building since 1871. Owned by the Stephenson family for several generations, the store sells everything from individual light bulbs to single screws and appliances. Make sure to visit the basement level Housewares Department, where it’s not unusual to see Amish shoppers picking up a new cast iron skillet or other supplies.

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Whitey’s Army Navy (2 Public Square) has been in the same location for over 60 years, on the main corner of the Square. The building was originally built in 1821 as the first courthouse and jail, and it was recently discovered that it’s also the oldest standing public building in the entire state. Whitey’s is the source for surplus military gear, pocket knives, camping supplies, Carhartt clothing and scouting needs.

No trip to Medina would be complete without a visit to ROOT Candles (623 W. Liberty St.) just west of the Historic District. Known nationally as “The Best Candle in America,” this family-owned company still churns out thousands of candles every day in a dizzying array of colors and scents.

Their flagship store, attached to the factory, is a treat for noses AND eyes!

They recently introduced a line of American Experiences Collection candles, made with 100-percent

American materials and featuring scents such as freshly mown grass, peach, redwood forest and more.

In the past few years, thanks to the dedicated work of the City of Medina, Main Street Medina and committed property owners, an influx of new businesses including Main Street Cupcakes (102 W. Washington), Lemonberry Frozen Yogurt (201 S. Court), 4 Ladies & More Upscale Women’s Consignment (101 Public Square), and A Cupcake A Day (115 W. Liberty) have opened in the Historic District, and are drawing a younger crowd and families to the scene.

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After a busy morning of walking and shopping, it’s time for lunch, with choices ranging from Sully’s Irish Pub fare (117 W. Liberty St.), Main Street Cafe steak and sandwiches (17 Public Square) upscale Asian food at House of Hunan (18 Public Square) or the perennial favorite for Red Hat Society members and young ladies, Miss Molly’s Tea Room (140 W. Washington). If you’re a coffee house food aficionado, you can’t beat the fresh and diverse wraps at Cool Beans Café (103 W. Liberty) or the homemade soups at The Bakery Shoppe (23 Public Square).

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For store hours, district events or to get a better idea of all that you’ll find in Medina’s Historic District, visit www.medinaoh.org, www. mainstreetmedina.com or www. visitmedinacounty.org

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In 2011, Medina received its

30th consecutive Tree City USA Award by the Arbor Day Foundation; in addition the city also received a

Tree City USA Growth Award for its eȔorts in expanding and promoting environmental improvement and higher levels of tree planting and management throughout the city.

Hollywood discovered the charm and small town iconic value of Medina and featured it in a film in the mid-1940s called

“Hometown USA.” The A.I. Root Company was founded in Medina in 1869 by Amos Ives Root, to produce innovative beekeeping equipment. By the first decades of the 20th century it had grown into the largest manufacturer of beekeeping equipment in the United States. By the 1920s the company had diversified into producing candles of various types including high-quality liturgical candles. Now known as Root Candles, the company is still owned by the Root family and is a leading manufacturer of a wide array of candle products.

A.I. Root’s beekeeping legacy lives on in the name of Medina’s school mascot: the Bees.

Amos Ives Root, founder of the self-titled A.I. Root Company, was not only an expert in beekeeping techniques but was also an avid aviation enthusiast.

He followed the Wright brothers on a number of their early flights and became the only eyewitness to publish articles on them.

Medina was once known as the “Sweetest Town on Earth” thanks to the honey industry started by A. I. Root in 1869.

Medina is home to one of the nation’s planned country club communities. The 1958 “Rustic Hills” development was featured in Home and Garden as well as Better Building magazine.

Medina

Medina City Schools have been rated by the State of Ohio for six consecutive years (2011).

“excellent”

The gazebo in the heart of the Historic District is actually an exact replica of an 1879 original from Belleville, Ohio. In 2011, the Medina version was chosen by the city of Downey, Calif., as the centerpiece of its Rose Bowl Parade entry.

In 2011, the City of Medina was named

“BEST HOMETOWN IN NORTHEAST OHIO”

by Ohio Magazine.

Medina was ranked the 12th “Most Affordable” community on Money Magazine’s “100 Best Places to Live” in 2011.

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The Uptown Commercial District was one of the first historic districts added to the National Register of

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Beginning in 2010, Medina Hospital partnered with the Medina Police Department to equip all patrol cars and train police officers in the use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units to save lives in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, striking nearly 250,000 Americans each year. To date, eleven lives have been saved as a direct result of the AED program.

by Money Magazine in 2011, ranking as the 40th “Best Place to Live.”

www.uakron.edu/mcuc

“America’s Best Small Towns”

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Medina was named one of

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101 Public Square

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A special supplement to A special supplement to akronlife magazine

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From giraffes to flash mobs to stilt-walkers, this monthly street party is bringing businesses, money and the masses back downtown.

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Medina

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