aroundKent Magazine Vol 8 2015 by aroundKent Magazine

Around the World Music Series Visual Art Showcase Photo-Based Works WAPS-FMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rock and Recovery What is the Spectrum Incentive Auction?

volume 8 | 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ www.aroundkent.net

www.aroundkent.net

content volume 8 2015

publisher/photographer Matt Keffer 330.221.1274 info@aroundkent.net

art director Susan Mackle

6 Acorn Alley 12 The Road Less Traveled

advertising/design services Matt Keffer 330.221.1274 info@aroundkent.net

contributing writers

David Badagnani Theresa Bembnister Tommy Bruno Trina Cutter Kelly Ferry Maggie Fuller Michelle Hartman Sarah Hume, PhD Lisbeth K. Justice, PhD Mark Keffer Jessica Koly Patrick O’Connor Kat Pestian Michelle Sahr Tim Sahr Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content of any manner is prohibited without written permission. aroundkent accepts no responsibility for solicited materials.

16 NEO Geo

6 22

18 KRMA Internet Radio 22 Around The World Music Series 24 Why Cheese? 26 LifeCenter Plus 30 Spectrum Incentive Auction

34 Visual Art Showcase 48 Local Music Shop

52 Recovery Rocks! 54 Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Training

57 The Kent State University Museum

58 Ed’s Story Chinese master performer Yang Jin with pipa (lute). Yang Jin served as Visiting Scholar at Kent State University’s Hugh A. Glauser School of Music in 2013–14. (Photo by Wu Ming)

WHAT STARTED as four dilapidated buildings on the south side of downtown Kent emerged into a small shopping promenade featuring cobblestone walkways and a vintage feel located adjacent to the landmark Old Franklin Hotel. Acorn Alley was the vision of local business leader and philanthropist, Ronald Burbick, who brought his vision to life when Acorn Alley made its debut downtown in the spring of 2009 with a walk-able retail and restaurant district in the heart of historic downtown Kent. With demand for more retail and restaurants, an extension of Acorn Alley opened in the fall of 2011. Acorn Alley not only brought architectural beauty to the landscape of downtown Kent and more retail to the downtown area, it also brought a renewed energy that Kent was on the rise.

Michelle Hartman owning and operating a business, and to offer something different to downtown. Small businesses surround us in our everyday lives, and business owners commit much of their time and effort to not only bring their vision to life, but to sustain this vision while making an economic impact in the local community. When you spend $100 in locally owned independent stores, $68 stays in our community, whereas only $43 comes back

Acorn Alley enhances the character of downtown Kent with its unique flavor of one-of-akind small businesses, each offering their own distinctive character, innovative products and personalized service. Towns elsewhere have similar chain restaurants and retail stores, but the local businesses that call Acorn Alley home are different from any other business ensuring the uniqueness of our downtown. The majority of shops and restaurants that make up Acorn Alley are locally owned and operated, and this was part of the vision in an effort to support local entrepreneurs help realize their dream of

We have experienced firsthand the renaissance of downtown Kent with projects such as Acorn Alley and how change can make a positive and lasting difference on the quality of life within a community and contribute to an overall healthier economic base. This not only provides for sustainable economic growth, but downtown Kent also now boasts many points of interest uniting the old with the new by preserving the historical integrity of the past while creating a destination city of today. With its unique mix of retail, restaurants and services, Acorn Alley has become a popular destination by the locals, visitors to Kent, students, professionals, and virtually people of all ages and walks of life, while providing for both economic vitality and a true sense of community. Discover uncommon, unmistakable Kent and “Keep it Local.” Shop, Eat, Enjoy Acorn Alley!

Christy Kellish Photography

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our way when you shop big box stores. Supporting our small businesses has many advantages to the retailer, the consumer, and our overall local community. So much so, that there is even a day to celebrate small businesses – Small Business Saturday – which takes place the Saturday following Thanksgiving – and our downtown businesses will have plenty to celebrate offering special deals, fun events, and chances to win free merchandise!

Fig Leaf

Secret Cellar

138 E. Main St., #101 • www.figleafboutique.com

176 E. Main St. • www.secretcellarkent.com

Fig Leaf Boutique was the first retail shop to open in Acorn Alley in 2009 and specializes in bringing their customers the latest trends, catering to their lifestyle needs, all at an affordable price! Their clothing and accessories are young contemporary and junior styles and sizes, mostly manufactured in the LA garment district. With new arrivals every week, Figleaf is your one stop shop for all your fashion needs.

Situated in the lower level of the Old Kent Hotel, The Secret Cellar offers great drinks, wine tastings, live entertainment and paint & sip events. They have a 40-foot bar, as well as booths or tabletops to accommodate a variety of parties and private events. Cheese platters, salads and desserts compliment their wide array of beers and wines.

Popped!

Wild Earth Outfitters

175 E. Erie St. #201• www.shoppopped.com

175 E Erie St #101 • www.wildearthoutfitters.com Wild Earth Outfitters is the first active-outdoor-lifestyle store in Kent. They pride themselves on top-notch customer service from employees who know the product and care about fitting you for exactly what you need. It doesn’t matter whether you’re gearing up for a backpacking trip, getting ready for summer camp, or simply looking for a new pair of shoes or boots, Wild Earth Outfitters has something for everyone specializing in just about everything from technical apparel, camping equipment, hiking boots, and more. Your next adventure starts with the right equipment. Stop in and gear up at Wild Earth Outfitters!

Off the Wagon 152 E. Main St. • www.offthewagonshop.com Off the Wagon specializes in gags, games, gifts, toys, and novelties for the young at heart. They feature a variety of novel gifts from toys you haven't seen in years (Slinky, yo-yo, Spirograph, etc.), to the obscure toys you never imagined (Bigfoot action figure, yodeling pickles, bacon bandages). In the last few years, they have expanded their game section, expanded their kids toys, added comics and have lots more unusual … um … stuff. You just have to stop in to see it!

4 Cats Arts Studio 144 E. Main St. • www.4cats.com/acornalley 4Cats offers art classes, art history, art parties, art supplies and party planning for children and adults. Offering techniques in clay, painting, printmaking and a variety of other mediums, the sky is the limit! The 4 Cats staff believes whole-heartedly that art brings joy, a love of learning and makes the world a better place. “We are a team of happy artists who love what we do and create good art!”

Located in Acorn Plaza, stop in for a unique popcorn experience! Using original recipes and real ingredients, they make popcorn to get excited about – including savory, sweet and vegan recipes. Popped! uses the best Ohio has to offer – like Ohio grown, non-GMO popcorn, local butter from Hartzler Family Dairy in Wooster, locally roasted nuts, locally roasted coffee and honey from their own backyard. Popped! has recently expanded and is now also offering chocolates, homemade ice cream and freshly baked waffle cones, all made in house with the same philosophy of using local ingredients. Gift tins and shipping also available.

Twisted Meltz 164B E. Main St. • www.twistedmeltz.com Who doesn’t like grilled cheese, right? Twisted Meltz serves grilled cheese with a twist, whether the twist is Korean barbecue, arugula, pesto, caramelized onions or fried potato and cheddar pierogis is for the customer to decide. There are 26 melt options, and they’re all named after Kent State-based celebrities. With numerous breads, cheeses, add-ons, and sauces, you are sure to find a favorite. Catering and delivery services are available. Plus, there’s plenty of seating in the adjacent indoor/outdoor patio.

Group Ten Gallery

Pita Pit

138 Burbick Way • www.grouptengallery.com

154B E. Main St. • www.pitapitusa.com

Group Ten Gallery is a co-op of 13 accomplished artists located on Burbick Way in Acorn Alley featuring mediums such as oils, pastels, watercolors, and colored pencil. The artists on exhibition include, Ben Bassham, Debrah Butler, Jeff Fauser, Judy Gaiser, Linda Hutchinson, Tom Jackson, Tom Lehnert, Dan Lindner, Dino Massaroni, Geoff Mowery, William Peck, Carol Tomasik and Lawrence Walker. The array of work are endless from subjects in nature, portraits of people, and abstract paintings to textiles and sculptures. With receptions free and open to the public, this is a great location to visit for excellent, original art.

Pita Pit offers a fun, casual dining atmosphere where customers can create their perfect pita amongst their endless flavor combinations of meats, veggies, toppings and spreads. Made to order, fresh and fast, Pita Pit is a great option for lunch, dinner or for catering your next party! They also offer delivery, late night hours and Monday $5.00 pita deals! Pita Pit is fresh thinking, healthy eating!

Continued on page 8

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Continued from page 7 International HOME Markets

The Dragonfly

154C E. Main St. www.internationalhomemarkets.com

164D E. Main St. • www.thedragonflyshop.com

An international food store located in Acorn Alley that offers many global authentic foods and beverages including Asian, Indo-Asian, Indian and Middle Eastern. Their mission is to create a diverse ethnic environment for local communities and international students by providing authentic products and merchandise.

The Dragonfly has been serving Northeast Ohio since 1990 specializing in custom and contract embroidery, while offering fast service and competitive pricing. There is no order too large or too small and quantity pricing is available. The Dragonfly can embroider your company logo, or you may choose from their wide selection of stock letters and designs. Superior customer service is the hallmark to The Dragonfly, and they are committed to your success.

Tree City Coffee 135 E. Erie St. #101 • www.rootedinkent.com Tree City Coffee & Pastry is proud to bring Kent the best in coffee, pastry and atmosphere. They offer a selection of the world's finest coffee and tea products, a classic peanut butter and jelly menu, breakfast sandwiches, fresh baked pastries, desserts and more. Beginning at 4:00pm, they also offer a beer, wine and cocktail menu. A terrific place to stop by offering a stay put atmosphere or the convenience of a drive-thru.

Destination Kent Visitor Centre 201A E. Erie St. • www.destinationkent.com

Rise & Shine Café 135 E. Erie St. #102 • www.riseshinecafe.com Rise & Shine Café is committed to serving delicious, made-to-order breakfast and lunch options using only the freshest ingredients, and local and organic products whenever possible. From breakfast scramblers and their signature Black Squirrel Nutty Waffle to specialty sandwiches, salads and homemade soups, this place is a favorite for Kent State students, visitors and townies alike. They also host private parties, and offer catering and boxed lunches.

Laziza Mediterranean Restaurant 195 E. Erie St. • www.yourlaziza.com Laziza is the place where Mediterranean cuisine is redefined, where exciting, exquisite and extraordinary gather every day to deliver an original dining experience. Laziza offers Greek and Mediterranean options, steaks, seafood, burgers and vegetarian specialties, as well as a full bar. If you’re planning a party, a special event, or a small get together, we invite you to indulge your senses and get a taste of Kent’s Laziza Restaurant.

Buffalo Wild Wings 176 E. Main St. • www.buffalowildwings.com Known for these three things: Wings. Beer. Sports. “Making fans happy” is the motto at Buffalo Wild Wings. Situated in the old Franklin Hotel, “B-Dubs” is the ultimate place to get together with your friends, watch all the games (on a massive screen), grab a cold one and enjoy some award winning Buffalo, New York-style wings or other eats on their extensive menu.

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Planning a visit to Kent? Be sure to stop by the new Destination Kent Visitor Centre open daily located across the street from the Kent State University Hotel & Conference Center for maps, brochures, list of events, menus, area highlights and attractions. With our resident squirrels, “Earl and Pearl” there to greet you with a smile and a scrolling slide show highlighting our area, come discover uncommon, unmistakable Kent and experience the flavors, people, sights, sounds and traditions found only in Kent.

Silver & Scents

Kent Central Gateway Footwear

154C E. Main Street www.facebook.com/SilverKentScentsKent

201C E. Erie St. • www.kcgfootwear.com Newly opened on E. Erie St. across from the Kent State University Hotel & Conference Center, the KCGF covers a wide demographic of footwear consumers. They specialize in Lifestyle Casual Footwear, Dress Shoes, Athletic Shoes, and many more. At Kent Central Gateway Footwear the focus is on comfort, quality and service. Offering well-crafted brands such as Dansko, Toms, Merrell & Keen just to name a few. Open 7 days a week, you’re sure to find something to fit your needs.

Silver & Scents specializes in indigenous Peruvian art, textiles and alpaca, silver jewelry with natural stones, loose rocks and stones, aromas and scented oils, and glass crystals and prisms. Silver & Scents has a great selection of alpaca apparel to choose from, including socks, scarfs and sweaters that will be certain to keep you warm during the cold Ohio winters.

Standing Rock Jewelers 164A E. Main St. • www.standingrock-jewelers.com

Kent Cheesemonger

Don’t settle for ordinary! From engagement rings to fashionable fine jewelry in classic to contemporary styles, Standing Rock Jewelers will have what you’re looking for to hit all the right notes, sentiment and substance. Standing Rock Jewelers also features an impressive collection of gemstones, a beautiful selection of luxury watches, exclusive collections from international designers, custom engraving and jewelry repair.

155 E. Erie St., Suite 201 • www.kentcheesemonger.com Now open in Acorn Alley II in Acorn Plaza, Kent Cheesemonger is a specialty shop offering artisan cheese and all the cheese pairings such as wine, beer, crackers, dips, sauces, cured meats, olives, and more. They will cut and wrap your selection for you or you can choose from their precut selection from over 50 Artisan Cheeses from around the world! They also offer classes, cheese trays and gift baskets, and can host intimate private events!

Fashion School Store 201B E. Erie St. • www.kent.edu/fashion/fsstore

Belleria Pizza & Italian Restaurant

Define your style at the Fashion School Store featuring original clothing and jewelry designs crafted by Kent State University Fashion School students, alums and faculty, as well as other dynamic and trendy clothing, jewelry and accessories. The Fashion School store is passionate about fashion with its visually stimulating boutique environment and first rate customer service. Make it your go-to fashion destination!

135 E. Erie St., Suite 202 • www.belleriakent.weebly.com Belleria Pizza & Italian Restaurant offers its customers delicious pizzas, Italian specialties, and family recipes. Belleria features a variety of pizzas made with fresh dough and a family recipe pizza sauce, in addition to salads, pastas, sandwiches and wings. Belleria prides itself on consistency and tradition and serves this up in a comfortable, family friendly atmosphere. Dine in, pick up, catering and delivery available. Buon appetito!

Jasons’ Barber Shop 135 E. Erie St., Suite 201 • www.facebook.com/pages/ Jasons-Barber-Shop/152376421441248

Flashers Cleaners

Remember the old time barbershop that dad took you to when you were a kid? That’s what you’ll find at Jasons’ Barber Shop. Whether you want a razor fade, a high and tight or just a traditional cut, Jasons’ Barber Shop is the place for great haircuts and great prices! Jasons’ has been in downtown Kent for more than a decade, and recently expanded to offer 6 barbers and online appointments. Hands down, this is the best barber shop in town for an old fashioned feel with a modern twist!

154E E. Main St. With more than 25 years of experience, Flashers Cleaners strives to provide every customer with fast, friendly and personalized service. Flashers is a full service dry cleaning business specializing in gentle treatment of your garments and an extraordinary commitment to quality and customer service. They handle everything from sensitive fabrics to shirt laundry to bedding and offer repairs and alterations.

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“

I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. – Robert Frost Dr. Patrick O’Connor

Most creative, successful people have traveled very interesting paths to get to where they are … usually zig-zagging a lot, shifting gears, retracing steps, exploring new passions, revisiting previous experiences, maybe reinventing themselves a few times and generally bouncing back often. All these experiences are part of their creative profile and serve to motivate and inspire them. This feature, The Road Less Traveled, tells that story. It answers the question; how did they get to where they are now? This version of the Road Less Traveled describes the path of Nelson Burns, President and CEO of Coleman Professional Services (CPS) and adjunct faculty instructor at Kent State University.

Camp Dudley in Westport, New York was (and is) a pretty special place. It’s the place where Nelson Burns would come to love the camp motto of “The Other Fellow First.” The oldest YMCA camp in the United States fosters moral, personal, physical and leadership skills in the spirit of fellowship and fun enabling boys and girls to lead lives characterized by devotion to others. It was at Dudley where the seeds of servant leadership were planted in young Nelson. He started out as a camper and eventually became a camp leader.

Background on Nelson Burns Nelson grew up in a family that highly valued the liberal arts. His dad was a musician and Methodist minister and his mother

Author note: If a reader would like to suggest someone to be considered as a subject for a future “Road”, e-mail your recommendation and why you think the subject should be featured to the publisher at info@aroundkent.net.

Nelson on the Road Imagine being ten years old and your parents put you on a train for a five hour ride to summer camp … for 8 weeks! And, the first summer went so well you returned for the next five years … every summer for 8 weeks. What an adventure for a young boy from New Jersey. An adventure that would lead to learning lessons that have lasted a lifetime.

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”

Nelson accepting the Outstanding Community Leader Award from SMEI in Akron last February.

a guidance counselor (still actively writing and researching at 90 years old). He was very active in performing arts/theatre, athletics and learned to love poetry. He believes strongly in the liberal arts as the basis for how people gain a fundamental base of

future learning, thinking and living. A love of learning and reading has been a constant throughout his life. After five summers at Camp Dudley, Nelson had the opportunity to travel to Europe with a group of Dudley campers. This experience had a major influence on the 16 year old. In particular, his experience with and love for reading accelerated. While at Dudley, he met the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from Yale University who was a camp counselor. The Dean encouraged him to read, but also to read materials outside his comfort zone. Nelson commented for this feature that, “all my peers were reading thought-provoking books, but I hadn’t read anything and I felt like a fool. I started to read enthusiastically and have never stopped.” He used his train-riding hours in Europe wisely and developed a particular interest in reading Russian poetry, philosophy and Eastern theory.

Next Steps Nelson’s affection for a servant leadership approach to life led him to study for a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology at Wittenberg University. When he began his studies he had no idea what he would do in life when he finished. Always thinking ahead though, he picked up his teaching credentials as a backup plan. As it turned out, the backup plan was right on the mark as he was hired to teach high school psychology upon graduation. After two years of teaching, he had a desire to make a bigger contribution in life by working directly with those most in need. He left teaching to pursue additional studies earning a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Bowling Green State University. This led to his first direct service position as a therapist

working with people with disabilities at Goodwill. Before he started at Coleman, Burns also worked as program director at the Mahoning County Transitional Homes and prior to that at Eastern Mental Health Center in Youngstown.

Servant Leadership Nelson follows a credo called servant leadership. The servant-leader is servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve. The servant-leader shares power with others and puts the needs of others first to help people develop and perform as highly as possible. Servant leadership can apply to an organization just as it does to an individual. The essence of his belief is captured in a recent comment:

“I learned to accept the person first, not the disability. As one sees the person first, one begins to observe their real strengths and abilities not just their disabilities.”

CPS was founded in 1978 as the Kevin Coleman Center in honor of a compassionate priest from Portage County, Father Kevin Coleman (St. Patrick’s in Kent in the 1960s). Father Coleman was well-educated in the field of mental health and counseling and worked on his PhD in Counseling Psychology before his untimely passing. He was considered a great mentor and excellent at handling crises. He laid a solid foundation that still exists today. Throughout the past 37 years, CPS has expanded and diversified its services while maintaining its affordability and quality. It has grown to more than 750 employees serving 24,000 clients and has an annual budget of more than $38 million. Additional information on CPS can be viewed at the website www.colemanservices.org. Continued on page 14

Background on CPS Coleman Professional Services is a nationally recognized not-for-profit provider of behavioral health and rehabilitation programs for individuals and families in an eight-county region of northern Ohio. The vision at CPS is to foster recovery through immediate and open access to services regardless of the ability to pay, to build independence by ensuring that people who are homeless and mentally ill have a permanent place to live. CPS changes destinies by helping people obtain employment, thus reducing their dependency on entitlements.

Nelson and his wife Suzanne

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Continued from page 13

Nelson’s Role at CPS In his 30 years of leadership at CPS, Nelson’s duties are mainly organizational — business development, problem-solving, management training and strategic planning. He and CPS have been recognized with numerous awards over the years from national, state and local non-profit and mental health groups. He leads by living and practicing the principles of servant leadership designed to foster character development in all things. Mr. Burns believes the key to leading and growing an organization successfully is to be surrounded with other servant leaders. He supports his staff and peers in the same way his mentors supported him. CPS employees change the lives of the people they serve. He is also keenly aware that you must keep up with the current strategies and techniques that work. You have to know what works in mental health treatment. As such, he studies and leads the CPS team using a collaborative, best practices approach. He is a good steward of the talent and resources entrusted to CPS and takes

Dave Petrone, Nelson Burns, Chuck Conaway and Tom Myers. 2010 in Georgetown (Washington, DC)

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that role seriously. He practices without preaching.

and provide a keystone for economic development.

What is on Your Screen Saver? “To Not Try Is To Fail”

Coleman will soon be opening a coffee shop and café, Bean and the Baker, in one of the retail units.

Nelson Burns is a visionary both personally and professionally. He is always thinking forward with an eye toward the next challenge. In his limited spare time, one of his interests is long-distance running. Like a good long-distance runner, he is focused on what is ahead of him. If he thinks about the past, it is only to assist him in preparing for the future. For many years he has run marathon races, but now keeps busy running half marathons. Long distance running, and now biking, helps Nelson ( an ex college lacrosse player) focus on his priorities and provides for good stress reduction. Through his vision and leadership he has created an organization that offers support to those in need. A recent project is a wonderful example of the many ways in which he and all the CPS team function. They recently took an abandoned 153 year old building in downtown Ravenna, the Phoenix Building and invested 3.1 million to renovate it. Like the bird from Greek Mythology, the building has been reborn. It now includes housing for the homeless as well as retail and office space. The goal for the Phoenix Building is to reduce homelessness

The Center of Excellence for Children Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

In celebration of his 30 years as CEO of Coleman, and because he understands that for people with mental illnesses to recover they need safe, affordable housing, Nelson and his wife, Suzanne (who also worked in behavioral health for more than 30 years), have pledged a matching gift of $30,000 to the Coleman Foundation with the funds being designated for residential services. The Coleman Foundation is looking to the community to raise a minimum of $30,000 in order to take full advantage of the Burns’ generous gift. Nelson Burns has lead CPS to be a place where hope and opportunity meet … where people learn and develop character … where the clients are seen as people first and where people can recover from their personal challenges. At CPS, everyone and everything associated with the mission follow a servant leadership paradigm. Sounds a little like Camp Dudley.

NEO Geo Theresa Bembnister

Of the many forms of artistic expression in Northeast Ohio today, geometric abstraction is particularly vibrant. NEO Geo, on view at the Akron Art Museum from November 21, 2015 through April 24, 2016, examines the style’s continued relevance and innovation in our region through the work of eight contemporary artists.

to objects he encounters in his day-to-day life, such as windows, doorways and mirrors. The sculptures’ translucent surfaces play with viewers’ perception by shifting colors depending on the angle from which the works are seen.

In the 1960s and 70s artists in Kent, Oberlin and Cleveland created abstract works featuring hard-edged geometric forms that were often guided by pre-determined systems based on logic or mathematics. The artists in NEO Geo carry on this tradition, while also employing broader sources of inspiration and ways of making than their predecessors. All eight artists featured in NEO Geo have ties to Northern Ohio, and three have a special relationship to Kent: Janice Lessman-Moss, Paul O’Keeffe and Gianna Commito.

Commito has taught painting at KSU since 2005. She builds layer upon layer of casein (a paint created from milk proteins) to create subtly textured, multi-colored canvases with repeating stripes, x’s, squares and diamonds situated on alternating planes. Casein, a material that muddles and lifts off in areas, adds an element of chance into the creation of the painting. Commito believes abstract painting has meaning on a psychological level. It’s not her intent to communicate a specific idea, but as she works she thinks about the interests and experiences that inform her studio practice — things like the structures of her physical surroundings, or her current reading material.

Lessman-Moss has taught textile art at Kent State University since 1981. She designs her multi-colored jacquard tapestries using digital imaging software. When the digital designs are complete, she sends the files to a commercial mill in North Carolina, where they are woven. The artist expands upon weaving’s basic geometric grid structure with her explosive designs; she creates illusions of depth through swirling, organic lines that appear to bulge and recede. Lessman-Moss works with simple shapes to create larger systems which increase in complexity through their interactions with one another in her compositions. O’Keeffe retired this past spring after teaching sculpture at KSU for over 30 years. His sculptures, which he forms by layering sheets of acrylic, extend just a few inches off of the wall but evoke a strong presence and a sense of meticulous craftsmanship. The hard-edged geometric shapes found in his work are a response

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Works by Commito, O’Keeffe and LessmanMoss will be on display alongside paintings and sculptures by Erik Neff, photographs by Michelle Marie Murphy, sculptures by Amy Sinbondit, prints and drawings by Kristina Paabus and a site-specific installation by Natalie Lanese. The Akron Art Museum will host an opening party for NEO Geo on Friday, November 20. Museum members can preview the exhibition and enjoy talks from three of the artists at 6:30 pm. At 7:30 pm, the exhibition is free and open to all. Check AkronArtMuseum.org for additional NEO Geo-related events, including artist’s talks, studio visits, panel discussions and more. Theresa Bembnister is Associate Curator at the Akron Art Museum and the curator of NEO Geo.

Gianna Commito, Nepp 2014, casein and marble dust ground on panel, 30 x 24 in., Courtesy of the artist.

Janice Lessman-Moss, #446 (detail) 2015, cotton and wool, 73 x 66.5 in., Courtesy of the artist.

Paul O’Keeffe, A Distant Silence IV 2013, acrylic, flashe paint, 17.5 x 14.5 x 2.25 in., Courtesy of the artist.

Gianna Commito, Court 2014, casein and marble dust ground on panel, 24 x 20 in., Courtesy of the artist.

Janice Lessman-Moss, #446 2015, cotton and wool, 73 x 66.5 in., Courtesy of the artist.

Paul O’Keeffe, A Distant Silence XI 2013, acrylic, 20.25 x 17.5 x 2 in., Courtesy of the artist.

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David Badagnani

New Series Brings World Music Concerts To Kent

300 North Water Street, Suite H in Downtown Kent is the new home of SRCA.

THE INAUGUR AL SEASON OF STANDING ROCK CULTUR AL ARTS' AROUND THE WORLD MUSIC SERIES kicked off on Saturday, October 10, 2015, with an engaging family concert by master African drummer and drum builder Baba Jubal of Cleveland, who took audience members on a journey through the history of the drum from Africa through the Caribbean to the U.S. Along the way, he shared fascinating stories and folk tales, ending the program by inviting everyone in attendance to play and sing along for a delightful collaborative finale. The series, which is coordinated by SRCA Executive Director Jeff Ingram and curated by Kent State University-trained ethnomusicologist David Badagnani, will present excellent performers from around the globe Pipa soloist Yang Jin of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Photo by Buddy Mesker Brazilian performer Luca Mundaca is a local favorite.

— most based in Northeast Ohio or western Pennsylvania — on a regular basis, with performances taking place roughly every two months from fall through summer. The new, intimate theater space of SRCA’s North Water Street Gallery (300 North Water St., Suite H, across the street from the old location), which features a small stage, sound system, and sustainable bamboo floor, provides the perfect setting for such concerts, allowing for an ideal connection between performer and listener. Kent has long been known for its wealth of folk and classical music, with the long-running and well respected Kent State Folk Festival and Kent/Blossom Music Festival both being founded in 1968, and year-round performances at the Kent State University School of Music, the Kent Stage, and other venues throughout the city. In the field of popular music, Kent has also produced such legends as Joe Walsh, Chrissie Hynde, Devo, and the Numbers Band, with a lively rock scene continuing to the present. Since the year 2000, strong interest in blues and reggae have led to successful and well attended festivals featuring those genres.

African drummer and community leader Baba Jubal performing for the Around the World Music Series.

Not as well known, perhaps, is Kent’s history as a place where traditional musics from around the world have also flourished. With the hiring of Halim El-Dabh in 1969 and Dr. William M. Anderson in 1971, KSU began offering a variety of courses in ethnomusicology (the study of music and culture), with El-Dabh starting an African music ensemble. In the mid-1970s, under the direction of Dr. Terry Miller, a fullfledged graduate program in ethnomusicology was established, allowing for instruction in the musics of Thailand, China, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and India, taught by visiting scholars from these nations. In 1980 the Center for the Study of World Musics was established, and in the 1990s the Flash in the Pan Steel Band was founded by percussion professor Ted Rounds. Today, Kent is truly an international city with residents, students, and faculty from more than 100 countries. Following its mission of Building Community

through the Arts, and its commitment to international programming through its International Short Film Festival and “Who’s Your Mama?” Earth Day Festival, SRCA’s expanded space provides exciting opportunities for bringing new and unique arts events to the Northeast Ohio public. The Around the World Music Series, it is hoped, will serve to enrich audiences by bringing to Kent a panorama of musical cultures, featuring international performers of the highest caliber. Upcoming performances in the 2015 – 16 season (all on Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.) include music and stories of the Greek islands featuring bouzouki player Kostas Revelas (December 12, 2015), Carnatic music of South India with veena player Shiva Sastry (February 6, 2016), Chinese pipa, zhongruan, and liuqin soloist Yang Jin (March 19, 2016), songs and stories of the Lakota Sioux Nation by Frank “Little Elk” Running (June 18, 2016), and bossa nova with Brazilian singer/guitarist/songwriter Luca Mundaca (Sat., July 23, 2016). All ages are welcome and a donation of $10 is suggested. For more information about the Around the World Music Series, visit https://www.facebook. com/aroundtheworldmusicseries or http:// www.standingrock.net/Performances.html

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Tim Sahr

So many people have asked,

“Why Cheese?”

TO MAKE ANY SENSE OF IT we must go back to fall of 2014. I had been working full time as a civil engineer for almost 19 years. I worked for a good company, with good people, doing honest work. However, for various reasons I found myself feeling “stuck”, like there was not much of a way forward in my engineering job, and I was pretty sure I did not want to be doing the same work for another 20 years. So, while out on a date with my wife, we began discussing what I might do instead of continuing in civil engineering. My wife

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Michelle has been working in retail running her family business since she was 13 years old. She has a ton of experience in retail management, so we thought leveraging that experience into some type of new store would be a great idea. The real question was just what to pursue that I would enjoy, and something that would really add to the Downtown Kent shopping experience. It happened that on that date night we had ordered a cheese and charcuterie tray. While we were eating that food, it occurred to us that finding really good cheese in Kent was a bit difficult. You could get a small tray of cheese at a few places in town, but there was no place to go if you wanted great cheese in larger portions. We love cheese, and had often made the 40 – 45 minute drive to various locations around the Akron/Cleveland area in order to get great cheese. So we thought

let's research what it will take to do a cheese shop in Kent. From there I did a lot of reading about cheese and took some cheese classes. As I learned more about cheese, a fascination with cheese began to grow in me. I was (and still am)

amazed at how many and varied the cheeses of the world are. Both the history and chemistry of cheese really grabbed my attention. As this research on cheese moved forward I was lucky to come in contact with Abbe Turner from Lucky Penny Farms, and Abbe brought both more cheese information and a great deal of encouragement to the table. What began as a fascination was quickly becoming an obsession. We quickly realized that if we were going to sell cheese, we would also need to sell wine, and if wine then also beer. We quickly began to interact with local wine/beer distributors to begin developing the mix of wines and beers we wanted to have in the shop to support the cheeses. As we developed out product mix we constantly focused on choosing products which would support the great cheeses we planned on having in the shop.

educational classes on pairing great cheeses with wine and beer, we would need a license to serve alcohol on the premises. This also gave us the opportunity to create a space where our customers would be able to enjoy cheese, wine and beer in a relatively peaceful atmosphere. We were able to find a space in Kent's Acorn Alley and quickly began creating the plans which would be necessary to remodel the space. Eventually, construction started and soon enough we were able to open the doors to our shop and start serving the Kent community with great cheese.

We researched all the various codes and licenses that would be required to open and run a cheese shop. We knew we would want a liquor license to sell wine and beer, but it became apparent that in order for us to offer

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Helping Members Reach & Maintain their Goals

HISTORY

The ability to adapt and stay on the cuttingedge of what’s trending in the health and fitness industry is what sets LifeCenter Plus, a Hudson based full-service facility apart from its competitors. Located at 5133 Darrow Road, south of downtown Hudson, LifeCenter Plus began as a family-run ice skating rink in the 1970s. Ten years later, when the racquetball fitness boom took off, the facility changed to Darrow Road Racquet Club, offering more than 20 racquetball courts. As demands increased for additional fitness options, the Racquetball Club evolved and became LifeCenter Plus.

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By Jessica Koly with Kayleigh Ferder, Stacy Rhea & Jennifer Stefanak

In 2011, long-time member and spinning instructor, Jerry Lynch and his partner, revived LifeCenter Plus when he purchased the 103,000-square foot facility. “We have made an investment in the future of LifeCenter Plus, where members will find a program that fits their interests, lifestyle and schedule. From group exercise and personal training, to fun and fit youth programs, we offer activities that the entire family will enjoy," Lynch said. “We have accomplished a lot since taking over ownership.” LIVING FIT

Lynch, a graduate of Kent State, doesn’t just own a fitness facility, he lives an active lifestyle too. At age 54, he has completed 4 Ironman triathlons, 11 marathons and more than a dozen Olympic distance triathlons. His passion for competition and living healthy is reflected on many levels at LifeCenter Plus. Today LifeCenter Plus is a full-service, fourseason facility which offers five swimming pools, a state-of-the-art spinning studio, more

than 100 group exercise classes weekly and a variety of youth programs. “Our Group Exercise classes cover a vast array of options for all fitness levels,” Lynch said. Members can choose from low-intensity to high-intensity strength and cardio classes to spinning and Zumba. When it’s time to breathe, members can enjoy a yoga class or an energy arts class, Qi Gong and Tai Chi, which incorporate movements that promote balance, flexibility, tranquility and overall well-being. Pilates reformer and Barre complete the group classes by improving posture and toning and shaping muscles. While yoga, barre and cycling studios are available in surrounding areas, LifeCenter Plus offers these class formats and more for one membership fee. This allows members to not only be cost-effective but time-efficient when working out. EVER-EVOLVING

In the ever-evolving world of fitness, the latest trends can sometimes be tough to keep up

with. “With the eagerness of our researchoriented staff and steady flow of student interns from the local universities, LifeCenter Plus is constantly developing our class offerings.” Jennifer Stefanak, Director of Fitness and Wellness, said. “In the past two years, we have welcomed kettlebells, TRX and ViPR training.” If there is an up and coming fitness trend or one in full bloom, you’re bound to find it at LifeCenter Plus. Recently, two new renovations were unveiled which feature a new cycling studio and a new cardio studio. The redesigned indoor cycling studio features 24 spinning bikes, walls adorned with recycled athletic art and lighting to keep riders motivated. While the cardio studio includes treadmills and ellipticals, new TVs and improved lighting and room circulation. “The newly renovated studios have truly given LifeCenter Plus members and guests the opportunity to experience boutique-like studios within the four walls of our fitness center,” Stefanak added. “Our club is the only one in the area that offers separate studios for each fitness format.” LifeCenter Plus believes that an important part of your exercise routine is the recovery process. In 2014, they opened The Massage Center of Hudson which offers a variety of massage types including sport, Swedish and therapeutic to both members and nonmembers by appointment. “If you are challenging your body on a regular basis during your workouts, you are likely to experience soreness and fatigue from time to time,” said Stefanak. “This is a normal part of building strength, increasing flexibility and improving cardiovascular endurance.” Getting massages on a regular basis not only help reduce soreness, but will also help you relax and look forward to your next exercise session. With the club open from 5am to 10pm weekdays and generous hours on the weekend,

Through American Red Cross swim lessons, competitive swimming, synchronized swimming, family swim and an adaptive swim program for kids with special needs, LifeCenter Plus’ aquatic programs offer something for the entire family. “Knowing how to swim is an essential safety skill for all ages,” Amanda Boswell, Director of Aquatic and Youth Programming, said. “Our highly trained instructors emphasize water safety skills and fun in the classes.”

the massage studio hours are open much longer than most specialized massage salons. Continuing with what’s trending, LifeCenter Plus makes it easy for members to live a healthy lifestyle and improve their overall quality of life by offering onsite nutrition-wellness coaching with a Registered Dietician. “Our onsite Registered Dietician helps members in a variety of ways, offering group nutrition classes, implementing club wide nutrition challenges and providing individual food counseling,” Stefanak said.

LifeCenter Plus also recognizes how important it is to stay fit, maintain mobility and reduce health related risks as one ages. In 2014, Lynch teamed up with Healthways™ to provide their SilverSneakers® membership, an innovative program offered through participating health plans at no additional cost to eligible members ages 65 and older. “By offering the SilverSneakers program, we provide those who qualify with classes specifically designed

FITNESS FOR ALL AGES

LifeCenter Plus goes above and beyond local competitors by offering youth fitness programs that provide children and teens with a variety of activities to promote a healthy lifestyle. Each program is designed for youth of all fitness levels, where participants learn new skills and improve their overall well-being while having fun and making friends. Programs span from athlete speed and agility, sports specific conditioning, martial arts, yoga and aquatics. Whether it’s gaining confidence that comes from learning to swim or improving for an upcoming sports season, LifeCenter Plus provides extra-curricular activities for younger generations.

for active older adults that focus on balance, strength and flexibility,” said Lynch. In addition to offering the traditional SilverSneakers classic and cardio group classes, they also offers yoga, Zumba, TRX and splash classes for older adults. No matter what your age or fitness level, LifeCenter Plus’ team of fitness instructors and trainers have the knowledge and experience Continued on page 28

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Continued from page 27 to lead, instruct and motivate individuals and groups. “We only hire trainers who have completed their degrees and certifications from top accredited universities and organizations,” Lynch added. GETTING MOTIVATED

Day after day, working out can feel like a drill, but LifeCenter Plus understands what it takes to help members get motivated and reach and maintain their goals. “Our team of fitness professionals specialize in various populations, from youth athletes to those who suffer from chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis,” Stefanak said. “Our staff will help make your experience highly personalized.” Every new member at LifeCenter Plus also receives a free fitness assessment by a fitness specialist which measures your cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and flexibility. This allows a longtime gym rat or those just starting to exercise a way to evaluate your current physical fitness level and help in developing your personalized program. The results will identify your strengths and weaknesses and assist in setting attainable fitness goals. WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE

Lynch saw a need to enhance corporate wellness initiatives as more and more employers are starting or expanding their wellness programs. “The question companies ask is no longer, why wellness, but how?” Lynch says.

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With this in mind, Central Wellness, a nationwide company was created in 2012 to provide corporate wellness initiatives to decrease healthcare costs and increase productivity in the workplace. A year later, Central Wellness purchased the assets of a nationally recognized biometric screening company. This addition rounded out the growing staff of doctors, nurses and health coaches which provide Central Wellness the ability to create customized programs for companies of all disciplines, locations and sizes. “As a business owner, I understand that successful businesses are built on the strength and vitality of their employees” Lynch said. “Central Wellness works toward developing an employee wellness program that engages your team, boosts their health and well-being and motivates them to reach higher goals.” Through company partnerships, Central Wellness provides the knowledge, skills and resources employees need to achieve optimum health while addressing a company’s unique health risk factors.

Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation, a national colorectal cancer nonprofit, to bring the inaugural Scope It Out 5K to Hudson, Ohio. The event helped raise money to fund cutting edge research and raise awareness for life-saving screenings. MEMBERS MATTER

Whether you’re joining a gym for the first time or switching gyms because your membership is up, LifeCenter Plus understands the importance of the basics and extra amenities necessary for their members. Their all-inclusive membership allows you access to over 100+ weekly group exercise classes, free child care, updated locker rooms, personal training, nutrition and more! You will be sure to find a program or class that fits your needs, lifestyle and interests. There are several individual or family membership options based upon age and usage to help reach your fitness goals. “We are dedicated to providing the utmost service in everything we do,” states Kayleigh Ferder, Director of Business Development. “Our experienced membership

COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY

If your interest isn’t piqued to take a tour of LifeCenter Plus yet, perhaps knowing Lynch and his team are passionate about giving back to the community will help motivate you. Every year LifeCenter Plus makes it a priority to contribute to a wide range of charitable programs and events. “Our commitment to health and wellness extends beyond our club doors and into the neighborhoods we serve,” Lynch states. “We are dedicated to helping our members and surrounding communities live healthier lives.” This past year, LifeCenter Plus supported the Iron Cowboy in his quest to complete 50 Full Ironman Distances in 50 Days in 50 States to raise awareness for childhood obesity. In October, LifeCenter Plus teamed up with the

representatives will work with you and your schedule to help find the best option to meet your needs.” Club tours are available 7 days a week and guests are encouraged to try out LifeCenter Plus before joining. Contact their membership department today at 330-655-2377 or visit LifeCenterPlus.com.

SPECTRUM INCENTIVE AUCTION Trina Cutter

IN A FEW SHORT MONTHS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO HOLD THE MOTHER OF ALL AUCTIONS. For the first time in our nation’s history, your local over-the-air broadcast television stations will be given the opportunity to sell their channels to the highest bidder in an auction. Called the Spectrum Incentive Auction, it will involve the federal government brokering between TV broadcasters that are willing to sell and cellular wireless service providers that are interested in buying. It took a trip to Houston to remind me of why the Spectrum Incentive Auction needs to happen. I needed to travel on the mammoth I-10 highway and so I relied heavily on my smartphone’s global positioning system (GPS). This technology has many important applications but uses the same airwaves as over-the-air broadcast television. These airwaves are officially called the electromagnetic spectrum. TV broadcasters and companies that provide wireless cellular broadband services — let’s call them “broadbanders” — have been friendly neighbors in the sky for years. TV broadcasters are licensed by the federal government to use one piece of the spectrum, while broadbanders occupy spectrum at a different location. In 2004 when broadcasters transitioned to digital TV, we still maintained the license for the same spectrum “real estate,” but the technology made it possible to offer four channels rather than just one. Think of it like this: Broadcasters

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tore down their analog single-channeldwelling house in the sky and built a new state-of-the-art four-plex mansion in its place. That is when Western Reserve Public Media began offering PBS programming in high definition and added three channels: Fusion, MHz Worldview and V-me. It’s been over 10 years since the digital transition and while most over-the-air broadcasters have settled into their “mansions” quite nicely, it is not the same for broadbanders. They are increasingly having a difficult time fitting into the spectrum space that they have been allocated. In certain areas of the country the broadband spectrum traffic is getting heavily bogged down, while other areas of the country have no access to wireless broadband service. Unfortunately, there is only a limited amount of spectrum space for broadcast and broadband use. To understand this, think of a housing development in your city and the fact that only so many houses can fit on that property. A realtor may have someone who is really interested in living there, but the houses are all occupied. The only option is to see if a current resident is willing to sell. This is exactly what is happening with the broadcast spectrum and in this case, the realtor will be the federal government. Television broadcasters have four choices: 1) Do nothing. 2) Sell the spectrum and go out of business. 3) Sell the spectrum and try to find another

WHAT IS IT AND WHY IS IT HAPPENING? broadcaster in one’s market to “rent” or “lease” spectrum space. 4) Volunteer to move to an unoccupied lower position on the spectrum and receive compensation in return. It’s anybody’s guess as to what the nation’s 1,755 television broadcast stations will decide to do. If even just a fraction decide to go out of business, what will that do to America’s broadcast television landscape? Will universal coverage still exist? Will underserved populations still have access to free news and information? The Spectrum Incentive Auction is complicated and has serious implications. The FCC is selling one of our nation’s most valuable public assets to wireless providers that will charge the public for its use. Once the broadbanders acquire spectrum, there is no way to know how they will use it.

services for the visually impaired and closed captioning for the hearing impaired. The clock is ticking. Sometime in November broadcasters will have to inform the FCC of their intent, and the actual auction should take place in late March. The Western Reserve Public Media board of directors continues to monitor the situation and evaluate its options. One thing I can say for certain is that Western Reserve Public Media plans to continue our mission to serve the Northeast Ohio community deep into the 21st century.

If I have it my way, the post-Spectrum Incentive Auction world is a marvel of beauty where technology meets public service and the real winners will be the American public. Time will tell. Trina Cutter is President and CEO of Western Reserve Public Media Western Reserve Public Media owns and operates public television channels WNEO in the Youngstown area and WEAO in the Akron-Canton area.

Despite the upheaval and unknowns, there is a side of me that is excited about the future. After the Spectrum Incentive Auction is complete, broadcasters that choose to remain in business are poised to transition to Internet Protocol (IP) technology. I promise you, this is nothing short of thrilling. Today’s new IP technology will transform your television set into a smart device that will give you all the interaction and capabilities that your favorite social media sites offer — free of charge! At the same time, broadcast TV stations will continue to offer free descriptive audio

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Visual Art

S H O W C A S E

The visual realities of the world around us have always served as a point of inspiration for artists. Sometimes the interest lies in visual perception itself; in other cases these realities trigger exploration into socio-political issues and statements of who we are as humans. Three artists here use photo-based work to address issues of race,

Mark Keffer KSU Class of ‘88

population and community, in ways that arise from direct observations of our surroundings.

D O N A L D

B L A C K

J R .

The work of Donald Black Jr. deals with aspects of urban decay, social inequality and difficult family dynamics, springing from direct experience growing up in post-industrial Cleveland. His composite photos depict raw realities at the heart of northeast Ohio communities, which of course, are realities that relate to the human condition on a universal scale. Early in his development as a photographer he found that: Photography could provide me freedom from my own personal fears and visualize a familiar and recognizable world. There are hidden truths throughout my work — reoccurring motifs of bars, shadows, reflections, silhouettes, and the contrast of black and white. These hidden truths are opportunities to travel the journey to selfdiscovery. Privacy and isolation are extremely destructive when kept a secret or tucked away — I’ve learned that. Every day I place myself on a showcase to be judged and critiqued by others. Most of the time people are never quite able to accurately articulate my existence or my story. There is always an error here or an error there, resulting in rushed conclusions.

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Solitary Confinement photograph, 16 x 20”, 2013

… there are, what I call, the “unmarked scars”. For a long time I did not know these scars existed because I tucked them away before I had a chance to ignore them. My environment even blanketed these scars because where there is

blood, murder, guns, scarce food and income — there is little time to stop and examine or care for wounds. I just survived and I kept on going. The smartest thing I did in survival mode was the decision to create art.

End of the Hallway photograph, 16 x 20”, 2015

In addition to photography, he works in video and installation and is the co-founder of an artist collective known as acerbic in Cleveland, Ohio. This is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to creating an environment and culture that develops and enriches the lives of artists and youth through arts education, mentorship, and cultural/social exchange and awareness. The organization is a direct response to the continuous number of artists of color who often feel artistically stifled and excluded. acerbic is also a response to the growing

The Theory of Value photograph, 16 x 20”, 2013

number of minority youth who are struggling to find a sense of direction in their personal, social and artistic lives. The organization will also provide consultation to organizations seeking guidance on how to engage diverse populations. Donald Black Jr. graduated from the Cleveland School of the Arts and attended Ohio University where he was awarded the Kodak Scholarship for outstanding photographer and received a Bachelor of Science degree in

Commercial Photography. In 2007 he received third place in the Nikon International Photo Contest. His work has been exhibited in numerous regional venues including Tregoning and Co., The Cleveland Print Room and Zygote Press, where he was also artist-in-residence in 2014. Black is currently commissioned with the St. Luke’s Foundation to create four, 20 x 30 ft. murals in the Buckeye neighborhood in Cleveland. www.donaldblackjr.com

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Visual Art C O R R I E

S H O W C A S E

S L A W S O N Musicians’ Towers offers affordable housing for those 55 and over with low to moderate incomes (home to many from the Soviet air-lift diaspora of 1989) screen print, spray paint, flashing tape and collage on cut paper, 22.5 x 30”, 2014

Corrie Slawson uses photographs — that she takes on her daily commute — as the basis for her dynamic and highly inventive compositions. Her current works on paper are a conglomeration of printing, drawing, and painting — and often collage and cut-out techniques. Her explorations in materials echo her explorations in the realm of content, which address serious issues regarding our communities and civic environment. She does this, though, in a way

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that is spirited and colorful; sobering realities are treated with a knowing optimism. The results display an intelligent and healthy world view, formed through a distinctly critical eye. She states: Development and land-use policies that favor newness over reuse drive me to make works that fantasize alternative realities for places that were once considered to be magnificent but are now deserted or under appreciated. The places I picture once harnessed massive investment

and now are abandoned (though some of us have stayed nonetheless). Using the visual language extant in my surroundings — color, architecture, texture and reflective materials (such as metal leaf and spray paint) my work mirrors my movement through spaces: walking past city blocks or sun glare on the car window. Her work has taken her outside of the Northeast Ohio area on a number of occasions as well, but similarities are prevalent: As I discover new locations, whether it is Toledo, Tijuana, Dresden or spots along U.S. highways, I open up an alternative reality and give homage to underdog places.

“#1” across from the new “Upper Chester” condos screen print, paper lithography, acrylic, sumi ink, spray paint and pencil on paper, 41 x 60”, 2015

Corrie Slawson received a BFA degree from Parsons School of Design in NYC and an MFA from Kent State University in 2006. Her work has been exhibited in the US and internationally. Museum shows include the Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland; The Toledo Museum; and the Rockford Museum, Rockford, IL. Other venues include Centro Cultural Tijuana and TJ IN CHINA Project Space, both in Tijuana, Mexico; Galerie Standenhaus and Galerie Module 3, both in Dresden, Germany; and the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center, NYC; as well as numerous regional galleries. Her work can be seen currently (through November 20th) at Shaheen Modern and Contemporary, Cleveland (where she is represented). Slawson was awarded an Individual Artist Excellence grant from the Ohio Arts Council and her work is included in the collections of The Cleveland Clinic, The Westin Hotel and University Hospitals, Cleveland. www.corrieslawson.com

Village Market, West, from Memphis Kiddie Park across town back East to Parking screen print, paper lithography, acrylic, spray paint and pencil on paper, 41 x 60”, 2015

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Visual Art G A R I E

S H O W C A S E

W A L T Z E R

“It was the late 60s. I was studying painting. I was trying to make meaningful work that was connected to what was happening at that time. I was pulled toward photography’s capabilities to render immediate raw reality,” claims Garie Waltzer regarding the initial appeal of her chosen medium. She has continued on this path since graduating from college in the 70s and has grown to develop a remarkable body of work via various photographic technologies. She has also made great contributions locally through her work in education. She was the key figure in developing the photography department at Cuyahoga Community College, where she served as Associate Professor and Program Chair of Photography in the Department of Visual Communication and Design. Her current series of work has taken her across the globe in Hanoi / White Glove carbon pigmented inks on rag paper, 22 x 27”, 2015 capturing various cultural realities of specific places. This work reveals both differences and similarities document the nature of urbanism in details of inherent in societies near and far. commerce, recreation, and social history, in cities The photographs in LIVING CITY examine the contemporary cultural landscape of urban spaces — places made and lived in over time. They

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in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Using elevated vantage points and deep vistas, the images reveal spatial and temporal connections not visible at

pedestrian level. Filled with intimate details of street life while sharing a view of the gestalt, they examine the structures, collective narrative, and temporal multiplicity of urban space. Elements of architecture, infrastructure, signage, and

Amritsar, India / Road to Golden Temple carbon pigmented inks on rag paper, 30 x 30”, 2011(neg), 2012 (print)

occupation are rendered with a specificity of detail that is abundant, embedded and particular to its culture and time. When the images are printed large, one can scrutinize the rich complexity of urban space, allowing for a deeper appreciation of the layered and living spirit of the cities we inhabit. Garie Waltzer was born in NYC and graduated from the State University of New York at

Tokyo / Hanayashiki Amusement Park carbon pigmented inks on rag paper, 30 x 30”, 2007 (neg), 2012 (print)

Buffalo, where she received BFA and MFA degrees. She later did additional graduate work at Kent State University in Visual Communication Design. Her work has been exhibited and published extensively since the late 70s. Solo exhibitions have been held in Singapore; Miami; Washington, DC; Rochester, NY; and many other cities. Her work is in the collections of The Museum of

Fine Art, Houston; The Cleveland Museum of Art; and many corporate and private collections. Waltzer received a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in 1982 and multiple Ohio Arts Council Fellowships. She was awarded the Cleveland Arts Prize in 2012. She lives and works in Cleveland. www.gariewaltzer.com

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Celebrating more than 78 years of Ray’s Place in Kent by Patrick J. O’Connor

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Mo’ Mojo

Hey Mavis

The TwistOffs

Mo’ Mojo is a hard driving, high energy, Zydeco-based “Party-Gras” Band. The female fronted group features three-part harmonies, accordion, fiddle, guitar, rubboard, sax, trumpet, harp, bass, percussion, and drums. The band visited 8 countries in 2014 – 15 (from Central America to Central Asia), spreading the Zydeco gospel as “Cultural Ambassadors” for the U.S. State Department. The new album has a dozen songs: nine originals; two Zydeco standards meant to pay homage to the musical tradition; and one part cover/part original medley based off of Bob Marley’s, “Stir It Up.” It features a Zydeco-base that blends in reggae, Cajun, blues, instrumental, and indie sounds.

Americana-folk band “Hey Mavis” was born in 2009 as part of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park artist-in-residence program. Producer Don Dixon (REM/Smithereens/Red Clay Ramblers) “discovered” the group on a Michael Stanley Christmas compilation CD and immediately agreed to produce their debut album, Red Wine. The CD quickly climbed the national Folk DJ-L radio charts, peaking at #5 for overall artist while the songs “Red Light” and “Red Wine” peaked at #5 and #9. The CD finished the year at #13 in Folk Alley’s “Top CD’s of 2010” alongside new releases by Tim O’Brien, Peter Rowan, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Chieftains, and Bob Dylan.

Formed by ringleader Erik Walter (guitar/vocals) in a dank, suburban basement in Kent, Ohio in 1986, The TwistOffs have since performed more than 2,000 shows, tracked more than 150,000 miles and covered over 40 states and three countries.

Shivering Timbers is Sarah Benn, Jayson Benn, joined by Daniel Kshywonis, musicians who call Akron, Ohio home. Our story developed when we — Sarah and Jayson Benn — started singing and crafting songs for our then-infant daughter. As she grew, the music began to take shape and a band was born. Our music was discovered by our friend Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys) when we were invited to perform at his birthday party. The first album was subsequently recorded at Auerbach’s Akron studio, a collection of homespun dark folk songs and fractured fairy tales called “We All Started in the Same Place”.

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15 60 75 The Numbers Band has been praised by almost every national music publication and several international publications since the beginning of their 30 years of live performances and recordings. Many fans are under the impression that the band remains obscure by choice. In fact, they have never been offered a contract from any recording company in the industry, ever.

Rachel & The Beatnik Playboys Rachel & The Beatnik Playboys embrace and explore many Americana styles — and combine them into a soulful, powerful sound. With original compositions and their own unique channeling of Americana classics, Rachel & The Beatnik Playboys are blazing new trails into the world of Americana.

Roger Hoover Roger Hoover’s plaintive brand of arcane folk and blues seem to come from some unknown time and place. These are timeless laments and rambles of a guitarist and banjo player who performs with equal parts impassioned vocals and honest, heartfelt lyricism.

David Mayfield

The Speedbumps

Austin Walkin’ Cane

If you’ve seen David Mayfield perform with The Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons, Jessica Lea Mayfield, or at Bonnaroo, you’ve caught the charisma, the heart, and the comedy, and it’s likely you’ll come back for more.

are an award-winning American band with a warm, authentic sound, built on a passion for hollow-bodied instruments, indie-folk influences, and singer-songwriter Erik Urycki’s breathy, commanding vocals and canny phrasing.

This singer-songwriter, band leader, and Grammy nominated producer stepped out of the sideman shadows with his 2011 album “The David Mayfield Parade” and his follow-up “Good Man Down” was self released. Mayfield has partnered with Compass Records. A label that Playboy Magazine calls “Nashville’s hippest alternative label.”

The band’s roots lie deep in the Rustbelt, where quiet strength and limited embellishment define the culture. The working class towns around Akron, the former rubber capital, from which artists like The Black Keys, Jessica Lea Mayfield, and Joseph Arthur have emerged, have provided the band with an aesthetic that seeks to tease out beauty from the gritty details of everyday life. Returning to Kent for the first time in over a year on December 5th at the Kent Stage.

is a blues singer, songwriter, and slide guitar impressario who performs across acoustic, solo, duo and electric band mediums. He has toured Australia, Colombia, Nepal, France, Germany, England, and Wales. He has also crossed the United States, perhaps most notably from New Orleans, Louisiana to Juneau, Alaska with only a guitar and suitcase in hand.

STRANGERS, Mayfield’s first album with Compass, is a tour de force, stretching from the avant-garde to Mayfield’s musical roots, which are buried deep in the bluegrass tradition from a childhood of touring with his family’s band. Tracks range from the Celtic-inspired opener “Caution,” which features Mayfield’s deft ability in orchestrating complex instrumentation, to “The Man I’m Trying to Be,” a sharply honest song that is as dark and it is tender.

Jessica Lea Mayfield

Xtra Crispy A perfect blend of blues rock and Americana, blending foot-stomping rock and roll with pure and golden melodies.

Jessica Lea Mayfield is a 24 year old guitarist, singer and songwriter who was born in Kent, Ohio. She grew up touring with her families Newgrass/Bluegrass band “One Way Rider” and at the age of 8 years old, they relocated to Nashville Tennessee, where when they weren’t touring regionally they played 4 shows a day 7 days a week. They lived and traveled on a 1956 tour bus that had once been owned by Bill Monroe that he had christened as the “Bluegrass Breakdown.”

Austin walked for ten years with a cane due to an arterial venous malformation he had since birth. While performing on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, a homeless man called out, “Hey Walkin’ Cane, got some spare change for a brother?!” Austin subsequently took the jibe as his nickname. In 1996, after years of battling the inevitable, his left leg was amputated below the knee. A year after the surgery, he returned to the music scene stronger and without need of a cane.

Local Music SHOP

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Mon 11/30 Eric Burdon & the Animals Thu 12/3 The Stampede: Donna The Buffalo • Peter Rowan • Ben Cohen • Peter Rowan Fri 12/4 JD Souther Sat 12/05 The Speedbumps Sun 12/06 George Winston Fri 12/11 Rumpke Mountain Boys • Jones for Revival Sat 12/12 Woodchoppers Ball 2015 Sun 12/13 An Evening With Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals Wed 12/16 Meet The Medium Stage Gallery Readings with Laura Lyn Thu 1/28 Phil Vassar • Theresa Rose Sat 2/27 Cabin Fever Meltdown Sat 3/12 David Cook Thu 3/24 Ron Holloway Band Fri 4/01 Ani DiFranco Sat 5/21 Richard Nader’s Doo Wop and Rock N’ Roll • Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels • Terry Sylvester • The Vogues • The Crests featuring Tommy Mara

RecoveryRocks! America’s Recovery Community Is Now 23 Million Strong

All of us are recovering from something. It’s true; just think about it. Maybe you know someone facing the challenges of addiction? Perhaps a close friend disrupted by severe trauma?

Tommy Bruno

How about a relative coping with a mental health disorder? The US recovery community is even bigger than previously believed. An amazing 10% of adults aged 18 and older answered yes to the question, “Did you once have a problem with drugs or alcohol, but no longer do?” That translates to some 23.5 million adults living in the US today who battled addiction at some point and came out on the other side. The study — released by the Partnership at Drugfree.org — paints a clear picture into research of perhaps America’s biggest public health crisis. And with an additional 62.5 million Americans experiencing mental illness in a given year, the truth is, if you don’t know someone who’s been affected by now, the odds are great that one day you will.

Channeling the Positive Power of Music & Personal Messages The Summit “WAPS-FM” public radio station in Akron, Ohio has created Rock and Recovery™, a mix of upbeat rock songs and positive

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messages for people experiencing recovery from addiction, trauma, and/or a mental health disorder. Akron is the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous, which was founded in 1935. Rock & Recovery officially launched September 15, 2011 at the Gate Lodge at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens — the exact spot where Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson first met to create the 12-step program that would become AA. “Physical, emotional and mental threats affect the wellness of our communities,” says Garrett Hart, program director of Rock and Recovery. “We are programming entertaining music, free of triggers and incorporating — messages

intended to evoke positive sentiment for listeners about themselves and the people in their lives.” Rock & Recovery breaks new ground, helping individuals build resiliency and strengthen self respect while providing tremendous inspiration for those who are currently struggling with drug and/or alcohol problems, and their families. The station mixes upbeat rock music from multiple eras and genres. In addition, segments such as “My Recovery Rocks” give personal voice to the listeners seeking insight into the recovery process and looking for daily strategies and coping mechanisms that might apply to their lives. Larry from Columbus, Ohio and five months sober shares, “My recovery is deeply personal, but it is very important for me to spend time each day listening to Rock and Recovery. It’s just like my weekly meetings, healthy diet, and daily exercise — the channel is just one more thing nurturing my sobriety.” Health care professionals and recovery-based organizations are also embracing the station which can be 24/7/365 via the website — www.rockandrecovery.com — and The Summit’s mobile app. “We went to our first meeting with physicians and therapists and other professionals to talk about this concept and we didn’t get half-way through the pitch before they asked, ‘How soon can you have it and what do you need to make it happen?’ ” recalled Hart. The group agreed enthusiastically that anything to help bring down the recidivism rate would be welcome. “The fact is, in my 35 years in broadcasting, this is the most exciting and rewarding work I’ve ever done,” remarked Hart, a former Sirius and commercial radio programmer. Community content partnerships for the channel are growing, and include Margaret

Clark Morgan Foundation, University of Akron, Summa Foundation, County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Board, Oriana House, Portage Path Behavioral Health, Community Support Services, Glenbeigh, Community Health Center, Trumbull Mental Health & Recovery Board, Meridian Community Care, Mahoning County Mental Health & Recovery Board, Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic, Quest Recovery & Prevention Services and The ARCHway Institute for Mental Health and Addictive Disorders in St. Louis, Missouri. The Honorable Thomas A. Teodosio is the presiding judge of The Summit Country Turning Point Program, the court-supervised program for substance dependent offenders. “The journey to recovery is strengthened by streamed messages of hope and stories of survival and strength. Rock and Recovery helps its listeners stay focused on what they envision from a sober lifestyle, such as happiness and contentment. It has been a pleasure working in conjunction with The Summit and the Rock and Recovery program to help those struggling with addiction and their families attain and maintain recovery.” Rock and Recovery is gaining larger audiences and accolades from area experts, recently winning prestigious awards from the ADM Board Dr. Bob Smith Award, an Impact Award from the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, and most recently, the State of Ohio Advocacy Award for contributing to long-term recovery for Ohioans. Locally Rock and Recovery is heard on WAPSFM 91.3 Akron/Canton, Ohio and WKTL-FM 90.7 Youngstown/Warren. The program airs nightly from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The station is also creating a national syndication model featuring “Recovery Minutes” which will be available for distribution on stations in early 2016.

Rock and Recovery™ Programming Music Lineup 2:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m. Styx

I’m O.K.

Better Than Ezra Good

The Revivalists Keep Going

Jackson BrownE Take It Easy

ColbIE CaillAt

Brighter Than The Sun

Joe Bonamassa

Get Back My Tomorrow

Scorpions

No One Like You

Van Morrison

Jackie Wilson Said

Brandi Carlile

Wherever Is Your Heart

Paul Simon Graceland

When Love Comes To Town

Eric Clapton

Gotta Get Over

Gary Clark Jr. The Healing

Steve Miller Band Your Saving Grace

Mumford & Sons Believe

Raising Awareness, Removing Stigma and Offering Hope

Rock and Recovery™

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Lisbeth K. Justice, PhD

Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Training

ow could practicing simple, rhythmic movements similar to those done by babies not only improve motor abilities, but also emotions, vision, speech, and cognitive functions such as attention and focus? What is the common denominator?

Observation of “the most incredible improvements” among children and adults treated by Kerstin Linde, a Swedish body therapist, as well as his own experience has convinced Swedish psychiatrist Harald Blomberg, M.D. that these rhythmic movements “have a profound effect on the development of the brain during infancy and childhood”.

Dr. Blomberg has adopted the triune brain theory of Paul MacLean as a metaphor to explain the mechanism whereby simple rhythmic movements have such a profound effect. MacLean, an American scientist, studied the evolutionary development of the brain among various classes of animals. In his book, The Triune Brain in Evolution: Role in Paleocerebral Functions (1990), MacLean says that the nerve chassis (brainstem and spinal cord) is controlled by three operators that compose the forebrain, namely the basal ganglia, the limbic system, and the neocortex.

The neocortex, which is most highly evolved in humans, not only processes and interprets sensory and motor information, but also Swedish psychiatrist Harald Blomberg, M.D., who established enables us to think, reason, Rhythmic Movement Training plan, make decisions, form judgments, and communicate via sophisticated language. However, the effective functioning of the neocortex is dependent upon interaction with the “lower” parts of

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the brain. For example, the brainstem contains a network of nerves called the reticular activation system (RAS) which arouses the neocortex and helps to filter out irrelevant stimuli. The limbic system or mammalian brain includes structures that are involved with memory, learning, and emotion. The development of the limbic system brings with it maternal behaviors and play. In humans, in cooperation with the motor cortex, the basal ganglia, which MacLean calls the “reptilian brain” or R-complex, plays an important role in movement, regulating activity level, automating learned movements, controlling postural reflexes, and inhibiting and integrating our primitive (first) reflexes. These reflexes are important in our early development, but can interfere with our learning and overall ability to function effectively if they remain active. For example, Dr. Blomberg has found that the Moro Reflex is often active among children who become upset easily and have difficulty in sorting out irrelevant stimuli. Fidgety, hyperactive children who experience

difficulty sitting still generally have retained (active) Spinal Galant and Spinal Pereze Reflexes. An active Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) contributes to dyslexia as well as the attention and concentration difficulties associated with ADHD. A key premise of the Blomberg RMT model is that the spontaneous movements of infants and babies not only help to mature the brain, but also inhibit the primitive reflexes and integrate them into the overall movement patterns of the body. Unfortunately, given our present-day lifestyles, many babies are not given sufficient opportunities to move around the floor (“belly time”), inhibiting and integrating these reflexes and are instead constrained in their movement by car seats, walkers, etc. Primitive reflexes may also remain active or may re-emerge due to other factors including trauma or serious injury or certain diseases such as Parkinson’s. The good news is that these issues can be addressed in children as well as adults through Rhythmic Movement Training (RMT), now known as Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Training. BRMT is based on the natural sequence of movements performed by infants and babies during their developmental journey toward mastery of standing and subsequent upright abilities such as walking, running, hopping, skipping, and jumping. In addition to the movement exercises, RMT, which was founded by Dr. Blomberg, incorporates isometric integration (slight pressure) when appropriate, to integrate active reflexes. Stories of the success of Rhythmic Movement Training can be found in Dr. Blomberg’s Rhythmic Movement Training manuals as well as his most recent book, The Rhythmic

Movement Method: A Revolutionary Approach to Improved Health and WellBeing (2015). For example, nine of the third-graders at a school in Sweden were reading at a second-grade level a few months before they were supposed to move on to fourth grade; rather than hiring a parttime teacher to provide additional remedial reading instruction, the decision was made to try RMT. The teacher as well as the children’s parents used motor training with them and after three months, eight of the nine children were reading at a third-grade level. Dr. Blomberg’s personal story is as interesting as the case studies in his various publications. Having had polio as a child, Dr. Blomberg was experiencing motor difficulties when he met Kerstin Linde in 1985 and became her patient. Finding her treatment method using rhythmic exercises to be quite beneficial, he requested permission to sit in on her treatment sessions with others. During the three years of observing Linde’s work, Dr. Blomberg was amazed at the positive, dramatic results achieved with Alzheimer patients, children with neurological handicaps and people with emotional and psychological disturbances including psychosis. After he applied Linde’s rhythmic movements to his work with neurotic and psychotic patients at an outpatient clinic where he Continued on page 56

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Continued from page 55 was a psychiatric consultant, a number of the schizophrenic patients experienced excellent results. However, his supervisor told Dr. Blomberg to discontinue his ‘alternative’ treatments, and when he did not comply, the supervisor reported him to Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare. After an investigation, Dr. Blomberg was exonerated by that body, which issued a report supporting his efforts. Subsequently, he began a private practice as well as serving as a consultant at a psychiatric hospital and a school for mentally handicapped youth. In 1998 his first book was published. Besides working directly with thousands of individuals using Rhythmic Movement Training, since 1990 Dr. Blomberg has been teaching RMT to practitioners in various countries around the world. He continued to study primitive reflexes and attended courses by Svetlana Masgutova, who taught other exercises that could be used for reflex integration. In 2003 and 2004, while attending camps in Poland organized by Masgutova, Dr. Blomberg presented lectures on Rhythmic Movement Training and was invited by Carolyn Nyland from Hilliard, Ohio to teach in the United States, which he began doing in 2005. Dr. Blomberg continues to operate a clinic in Stockholm as well as share his work with educators, parents, speech pathologists, mental health professionals, members of the allied health fields, and others. In July, Dr. Blomberg spent several days in Kent, Ohio conducting a Rhythmic Movement Training Symposium at Kent State University. Coordinated by the local non-profit, LoveLight, Inc., the symposium was sponsored by the School

of Foundations, Leadership and Administration in the College of Health, Education and Human Services and supported by the Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education and the Department of Pan-African Studies. Following an introductory talk and reception at the Wick Poetry Center, participants from Northeast Ohio as well as other parts of the country had an opportunity to attend one or more of the three two-day sessions presented by Dr. Blomberg: RMT and the Limbic System, Emotions and Inner Healing; RMT, Dreams and Inner Healing; and RMT: Dyslexia, Vision and Reflexes. During the sessions Dr. Blomberg also discussed the importance of diet, especially for people with food sensitivities, particularly to gluten and casein, a protein found in dairy products. Earlier in the year, RMT Instructor Kate Wagner came to Kent from the Chicago area to co-teach RMT Level One: RMT and Primitive Reflexes with me as part of my process of becoming a Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Training instructor. In 2008, having a strong interest in physiological aspects of learning, I attended a series of classes on Rhythmic Movement Training in Hilliard, Ohio where I first met Harald Blomberg. Since that time, I have been privileged to study RMT with Dr. Blomberg as well as other practitioners and have become a BRMT consultant. This method offers so much promise and this work has many potential applications in

I have also had the opportunity to hear the stories of successful outcomes with RMT from others and personally witness the positive and profound effects of RMT. After working with one young man, for example, I was told by his mother that his (improved) handwriting now looked like it was done by a different child compared with his previous handwriting. It should be noted that BRMT is not a “quick fix” — changes can occur quickly but need to be reinforced over time — however, the time required daily is minimal (15 minutes at the most in order to avoid overstimulation).

Under the auspices of the non-profit organization, LoveLight, which is based in Kent, I have provided, on a limited basis, individualized sessions incorporating RMT. Hopefully, in the future LoveLight will be able to use BRMT to offer more opportunities for people such as Z., a boy with autism. In the words of his mother, “Z. is doing amazing. He has transitioned to middle school with minimal stress. Overall I have noticed an improvement in his ability to manage new situations and his ability to stay positive. I have also seen improvement in his organizational skills and his use of language. I can not say for sure that it is a product of RMT but I do think RMT has been beneficial and is one of the reasons he is managing so well. We have been faithful with his daily implementation and Z. reminds me when I forget. Overall this is the best Z. has been and we are so Dr. Blomberg and participants in the Rhythmic Movement thankful for all you have taught us.” Training Symposium at Kent State University

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a variety of fields. For example, in the RMT Level One class, participants are invited to compare the behavior of children diagnosed with ADHD with that of young children — difficulty with attention, inability to be still, impulsivity. These similarities raise the possibility that ADHD might be related to developmental maturity, at least for some individuals, and offers the potential of a natural alternative for treating ADHD.

The Kent State University Museum a history of costume and decorative arts

Sara Hume, PhD

The Kent State University Museum offers visitors a look at this history of costume and decorative arts through its changing exhibitions in

its seven galleries of work by many of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great artists and designers. Closely linked to the Fashion School at Kent State University, the Museum provides students with first-hand experience with historic and contemporary fashions, as well as costumes representing many of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultures. An extensive collection of American glass, fine furniture, textiles, paintings and other decorative arts combine to give context to the study of design. The Museum serves both the University and the community through exhibitions, public programs, and research appointments in the collections. Opened to the public in October 1985, the Kent State University Museum was founded with an initial contribution from New York dress manufacturers Jerry Silverman and Shannon Rodgers. Their gift included 4,000 costumes and accessories, nearly 1,000 pieces of decorative art and a 5,000-volume reference library. In the 1960s, Shannon Rodgers began collecting what is now considered one of the finest period costume collections in the United Continued on page 58

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connections and distinctions can create opportunities to bond and open a space for interconnectedness, the ultimate goal of this project.

Inside Out: Revealing Clothing’s Hidden Secrets through June 2016

Continued from page 57 States, today totaling more than 40,000 pieces. The Tarter/Miller collection of some 10,000 pieces of glass formed the second major gift to the Museum. Together with the other decorative arts collected by Rodgers and Silverman, the Museum holds one of the most comprehensive teaching collections of fashionable design from the 18th century to the present. There are currently five exhibitions on view to the public.

Flapper Style through September 4, 2016 The flapper is widely seen as the epitome of 1920s glamour and decadence. The term ‘flapper’ refers to the generation of young women who came of age just as World War I ended and shocked the older generation with their short hair and short skirts, their drinking and smoking and swearing. Flappers faced a world strikingly different from the one their mothers knew and their clothing reflected this dramatic break with the past. The “Roaring Twenties” were renowned for exuberant parties and jazz music, which were reflected in the glittering fringed fashion that women wore. However, this exhibition looks beyond the quintessential beaded dress to explore the range of influences on fashion from sportswear to artistic movements such as Bauhaus and Art Deco. Standards of beauty in the 1920s shifted to celebrate youth with a fashionable silhouette that was slim and boyish. The exhibition includes more than forty pieces including undergarments, evening wraps, sportswear, menswear and footwear.

@Infinitum through January 10, 2016 We initiated this project as a celebration of more than three decades of diplomatic ties between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China. This exchange exhibit serves as an experimental channel for direct connections among contemporary studio faculty members in both cultures. Gravitating toward uniqueness is typical in new artistic creation and cultural expression, which may inadvertently overemphasize contradictory outcomes stemming from differences. Sharing similarities — especially artistic sensitivity and creative vision — and reflecting upon

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The art of creating beautiful custom clothing has always entailed beautiful workmanship that is hidden when the pieces are worn. This exhibition showcases these secret innerworkings that are usually out of sight. Weights, pockets, quilted linings, boning, ruffles and labels all come to light when the garments are flipped inside out. The pieces selected for this exhibition, which span the eighteenth to the twentieth century and include both men’s and women’s wear, are excellent examples of their respective eras. Unlike many period garments, which have been reworked or have had their linings and waistbands altered or removed, these pieces have maintained a remarkable degree of integrity. In fact, in some cases, the insides are as beautifully finished as the outsides. This exhibition tracks changes in clothing construction over a period of two centuries with a careful selection of representative pieces, which are mounted in ways to allow visitors to take a close look at the interiors.

Fashion Timeline: 200 Years of Costume History Ongoing The “Fashion Timeline” showcases the Kent State University Museum’s world-class collection of historic fashions. Encompassing two centuries of fashion history, this exhibition is designed to show the evolution of styles and silhouettes while contextualizing the pieces with relevant political, technological and cultural developments.

The first gallery spans the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries. This was a period of revolutionary change that can clearly be seen reflected in the fashions. The American and French Revolutions radically changed the political landscapes while the industrial revolution transformed how goods, particularly clothing and textiles, were made. The luxury and rococo excesses of the eighteenth century gave way to the romanticism and neoclassicism of the early nineteenth century. The next room includes the second half of the nineteenth century to the dawn of World War I. Synthetic dyes opened up a world of color and the sewing machine facilitated the application of yards of ruffles, pleats, and fringe. The upholstered, heavy styles of the Victorian era eventually gave way to Edwardian froth and lace. The final room finishes the timeline with fashions of the early twentieth century. While it may have been a period of world wars and depression, fashions also reflected the heydays of jazz and swing, the boldness of Art Deco, and the endless possibilities of technology from plastics to rockets. In addition to the garments on view in the Palmer and Mull Galleries, an array of handbags lines the hallways. The display is intended to be a permanent feature at the museum, but the individual pieces will be rotated frequently so there is always something new to see.

Glass: Selections from the Kent State University Museum Collection Ongoing This exhibition of glass showcases the breadth of the Kent State University Museum collection that has resulted from many donors’ personal collecting interests. Thanks to generous donors, the

museum has amassed a diverse collection of glass that spans the Roman Era to the 20th century. In addition to the representation of American manufactured glass from the Tarter/ Miller Collection, other important contributions include art glass from Jerry Silverman and Shannon Rodgers, Roman glass from Jack W. and Shirley J. Berger, and perfume bottles collected by Ruth and Ralph Fuller, as well as Barry W. Bradley. This exhibition gives you a glimpse into the complete glass collection housed within the museum’s storage. The Kent State University Museum is located at 515 Hilltop Drive, at the corner of East Main Street and South Lincoln Street in Kent, Ohio. The museum is open to the public on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. — 4:45 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. — 8:45 p.m.; and Sunday from noon — 4:45 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children under 18. The museum is free with a Kent State ID and free to the public on Sunday. Parking is free. For more information, call 330-672-3450 or visit www.kent.edu/museum.

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Story

ED’S

frozen meat, fresh breads and nutritious vegetables — and most importantly, he has one less thing to worry about. “While this food helps me make ends meet, the best thing about this pantry are the people,” stated Ed. “They all go out of their way for you, and I couldn’t ask for more good, more friendly people.”

Who’s hungry and how does the Foodbank help?

Ed spent his entire life working as a mechanic for a trucking company, supporting his family and living comfortably. When Ed was ready to retire, he went to his financial advisors and they told him everything he’d been saving over the years had been lost due to a few bad investments. “I spent my life saving,” said Ed. “And just like that, everything in my retirement fund was gone. I didn’t know what I was going to do.” Many years later, Ed lives on his fixed social security income and some months must choose between paying bills and buying his groceries. At 78-years-old, Ed’s had to do the hardest thing he could have imagined — ask for help. Kat Pestian

“I came to the pantry to try and supplement my income a little,” said Ed. “I like to eat healthy, and I couldn’t believe the fresh vegetables, fruits and meat they had at the pantry.” Once a month, Ed visits Buckeye Christian Assembly, a member hunger-relief program of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. Walking out of the pantry today, Ed has two bags full of

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“This year, one in seven people from infants to elderly, like Ed, will face hunger in Northeast Ohio, and the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank with its network of partner hungerrelief programs will be there to help,” said Dan Flowers, President & CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. “This includes parents who lost their jobs or are working for low wages and are struggling to put food on the table for their children, and seniors on fixed incomes forced to make decisions about whether to buy food or pay for necessary medications.” The good news is that most people who rely on the Foodbank do so on a transient basis. That means they are not permanent recipients, in fact, many of the Foodbank’s most dedicated volunteers were once their clients — people who, for one reason or another, needed a helping hand for a little while, but later got back on their feet. The Foodbank is proud to be the source of emergency food for 500 food pantries, hot meal sites shelters and other hunger-relief programs that directly serve individuals and families in eight Ohio counties: Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne. The Foodbank, with its supporters and partners, are leading the fight to end hunger in

ave the person on your list that has H everything? Make a donation to the Foodbank in their honor! Send gift recipients a beautifully designed holiday card sharing your good cheer along with the Foodbank’s gratitude. For more information on sending holiday cards, please contact Bridget Jones at BJones@acrfb.org.

the communities they serve, but they can’t do it alone. Because of strong community support, every day, the Foodbank and its network of hungerrelief programs are distributing an average of 100,000 pounds of food, enough for 82,000 meals.

How to make a difference for a family this holiday season! If your goal is like many in our community — to turn the energy of generosity that overwhelms you this time of year into something charitable and meaningful, then please consider joining the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank for its holiday campaign.

Run with Santa at the Selfless Elf 5k: Join the Foodbank for its third annual Selfless Elf 5k run/ walk on Saturday, December 19, 2015. Dress up in your favorite festive holiday-themed costumes or running gear, and run or walk the 3.1-mile course beginning and ending at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. Please visit selflesself.com for more information. Volunteer at your Foodbank: Join the Foodbank in the fight to end hunger today by volunteering. To see opportunities available for you and/or your group, please visit akroncantonfoodbank.org/volunteer.

This holiday season, the Foodbank needs your help to support community members like Ed. With your support, the Foodbank can continually tell individuals every day they are important, they matter, and when their budgets get tight — remind them they have community members fighting for them to make it through the rough times. The Foodbank is honored to be there for individuals and families struggling with hunger, during the holidays and all year long. Thank you for believing in the Foodbank’s mission and for supporting the Foodbank’s holiday initiatives right here in our own backyard. Have a wonderful holiday season, and please remember the Foodbank is most thankful for you, and the strong community you help us create. For more information on the Foodbank and its holiday campaign, please visit akroncantonfoodbank.org/holiday or call 330.535.6900.

Here are a few ways to get involved: Become a Hunger Hero: Hunger Heroes are community members who host food & funds drives during the holiday season. In-house drives are a wonderful way to promote community involvement and team building while benefiting those in need, and the Foodbank will provide you with all the tools you need to be successful. Please visit akroncantonfoodbank.org/holiday for more information. Make a donation: The Foodbank is incredibly efficient, and can place 40 meals on the tables of people facing hunger for just $10. That’s right, every $1 donated = 4 meals to people in need.

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