Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland Volume 6 Issue 2

FineLifestyles 2018 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2 PRICELESS

CLEVELAND

Livingston Chiropractic Dr. John Livingston and His Team Will Ease Your Pain

Medical Marijuana Comes to Ohio Travel: Paris in the Summer Featuring Local Shops & Services

To Advertise, Call 330-702-0100 1117

FIRST WORD

FineLifestyles

CLEVELAND

With Fine Lifestyles editor PATTI LONDON

Fine Lifestyles Magazine 2018 Volume 6 Issue 2 Publisher Marc London marc@finelifestylesmagazine.com Editor Patti London

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s I’m writing this the temperatures are in the nineties and LeBron’s departure was just announced. It isn’t clear if the city seems to be wilting from the heat or the loss of our favorite prodigal son. But Clevelanders are nothing if not resilient. We’ll be back to reveling in the summer sun in no time.

This issue provides plenty of ideas for enjoying the outdoors. Make plans to visit our Metroparks for an adventure in nature. To enhance your own slice of nature read about the local businesses who have been transforming residential landscapes for many of your neighbors, like New Vista, O’Brien Cut Stone and Exscape Design. Knowing a warm weather oasis awaits you will help get you through those winter months.

Stay outside and try the two new restaurants highlighted in this issue.

Nouveau Bistro & Lounge in Concord and Cowboy Food and Drink in Chagrin Falls both feature patios where diners can enjoy their meals and the summer season. Although the menus are completely different, both kitchens make fresh, quality ingredients a priority.

As always, our calendar of events promotes a list of fun you don’t want to miss. Check out the FRONT Triennial activities and you’ll be able to say you remember when this international modern art happening first came to Cleveland. Hopefully you already have your tickets for the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Yayoi Kusama retrospective and, if you’re really lucky, you have tickets to Hamilton, too.

This summer celebrate the great outdoors, great food and some great art.

Then at the end of the day show gratitude for all things great in your life and do some yoga. Namaste.

Staff Writers Dylan Yépez Mike Cabrerra Kristal Pettit Graphic Design and Layout Marlon Tussel Cover Art Vincent Pearson Photography Photography Vincent Pearson Photography Aaron Leyser Agape Photography Advertising Consultants Marlon Tussel 216.548.6292 marlon@finelifestylesmagazine.com Marc London 216.926.3449 marc@finelifestylesmagazine.com

Distribution: marc@finelifestylesmagazine.com Cover: Dr. John Livingston Livingston Chiropractic Group Fine Lifestyles Cleveland

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Marlon Tussel 216-548-6292

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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We reserve the right to reject or accept any article, photograph, image or advertisement.

All contents of FineLifestyles Inc, publications are copyrighted 2018 with all rights reserved, except for original articles submitted to FineLifestyles Inc., where copyright resides with the author. No other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of FineLifestyles Inc. or its writers. The name FineLifestyles Cleveland, its logo and material cannot be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. The views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of FineLifestyles Inc. or the companies it represents. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

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CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS STYLE..................................................... 12 HEALTH & WELLNESS........................ 14 ARTS, DINING & ENTERTAINMENT..... 30 HOUSE & HOME.................................. 38 RECREATION & TRAVEL...................60 BUSINESS............................................. 66

FEATURES

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The FRONT Triennial..................................8 Yoga for Every Body................................14 Medical Marijuana in Ohio..................... 22 COVER STORY:

Livingston Chiropractic...............26 Calendar of Events................................... 32 Books: The Skirball Writers Series.....36 Explore the Cleveland Metroparks....48 Travel: Paris in Summer......................... 60

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Tony Tasset, Rendering of Judy’s Hand Pavilion. 2018 Courtesy of the Artist and Case Western Reserve University.

An Art Adventure Comes to Cleveland

FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art

by Patti London photos courtesy FRONT International

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leveland is nothing if not an All-American city. Her history of economic highs and lows, incredible cultural achievements, exceptional ethnic diversity and enduring institutions make Cleveland a quintessentially American city. It’s not a surprise that she was chosen to host the inaugural FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for

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Contemporary Art. The theme is An American City and beginning this summer, modern art, in all its formats, will be happening in Cleveland and across Northeast Ohio. Get ready.

From July 14th through September 30th the inaugural edition of an exhibition consisting of artist commissions, performances, films, and public programs

will be presented in collaboration with museums, civic institutions, and alternative spaces across Cleveland, Akron and Oberlin. With a roster of national, international and area-based artists at all points in their careers, FRONT will examine the ever-changing and politically urgent conditions of an American city.

This is probably going to be one of the most important contemporary art events in North America this year. This ambitious happening will include work by more than 100 artists, as well as an artistin-residency program named in honor of Robert P. Madison, an architectural icon of Cleveland and Ohio’s first AfricanAmerican architect. FRONT’s partners include the Akron Art Museum, Oberlin College, the Cleveland Museum of Art and MOCA Cleveland among others.

With a relatively modest four to five million dollar budget, the triennial hopes to spark the kind of energy found at the more established contemporary art

events like documenta, which takes place every five years in Kassel, Germany.

The Executive Director is Cleveland philanthropist, art collector and former interim director of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Fred Bidwell. The Artistic Director is Michelle Grabner, a professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and co-curator of the Whitney Biennial in 2014 and the 2016 Portland Biennial. The organizing theme of the event is the ways that the artists are responding to the idea of cities today.

If the concept seems expansive, it helps that FRONT has structured the exhibition around what they are calling eleven

interconnected “cultural exercises.”

These exercises tend to be grouped by format. For instance, the FRONT film program will present a schedule of films at a specially designed theater at the Transformer Station in the Hingetown neighborhood. Another exercise entitled Glenville Exchanges will encompass a series of public programs taking place at the PNC Glenville Arts Campus. The cultural exercise entitled Movements will explore bodies in relation to time and space. The principal exercise comprises the projects of the invited artists exploring the many layers and issues of An American City.

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More than 100 artists, emerging and established, international and local, have been working to prepare for this event. No doubt the artists’ subjects will include the social, political, cultural, ecological and economic challenges we’re facing in this deeply divided era. But Cleveland will be the backdrop for the expression of these themes. Cleveland’s history and current realities are integral to the discussion in that the exhibition spaces themselves speak to the concerns of an American city. Whether an artist is exhibiting in the venerable Cleveland Museum of Art or in an outdoor public space on Euclid Avenue, Cleveland past, present and future will be part of the conversation.

Yinka Shonibare / Jessica Vaughn, The British Library 2014 © Phoebe D’Heurle; Courtesy of James Cohan Gallery, New York

Jessica Vaughn After Willis Courtesy of the artist and Martos Gallery

The City Club of Cleveland will offer a preview of the FRONT Triennial on July 11th with a panel discussion entitled “On the FRONT Lines: Art in an American City” at the City Club, 850 Euclid Avenue, at noon. The panel consists of the Artistic Director, Michelle Grabner, and three of the participating artists, Johnny Coleman, Philip Vanderhyden and Jessica Vaughn.

The Cleveland Museum of Art’s glass box gallery will be exhibiting the work of Marlon de Azambuja and Luisa Lambri. Azambuja’s BrutalismoCleveland, referring to the austere architectural style of brutalism, is a set of sculptures made of materials gathered from around Cleveland which echo Cleveland’s own brutalist architecture.

Lambri’s photos of the museum’s own iconic architecture focus on the granite wing designed by Marcel Breuer in 1971.

It’ll be especially interesting to see how Azambuja, a Brazilian, and Lambri, an Italian, interpret and reflect aspects of Cleveland which we live with every day. Perhaps after experiencing the architecture through their perspective, we’ll see it with a fresh point of view.

The full schedule of exhibits, large-scale murals, films, performances, lectures and art adventures of all kinds can be found on FRONT’s website at frontart. org. This is a cultural event so expansive that it will find you, even if you aren’t looking for it - although you really should look for it. The opportunity to challenge your perspective, free your thinking and expand your own creativity will be here for 80 days. Don’t miss it.

Marlon de Azambuja, American Brutalism, 2015 at the exhibition Theorem, in Mana Contemporary, Jersey City

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Exceeding the Standard in Garment Care

by Dylan YĂŠpez photos Aaron Leyser

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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ropping off and picking up the dry-cleaning are tedious errands you’ll want to cross off your to-do list. Let the professionals at London Cleaners pick up and deliver year round.

Alex is a third-generation custom tailor, who spent years making and altering garments. Thirty-five years ago, he decided to channel his thorough understanding of fabrics and clothing into the processes that keep them clean.

“Relax, We’ll Take It From Here” is the London Cleaners’ motto—and these fullservice dry cleaners stick to it. When Alex Shvartshteyn purchased the company in 1984 he transformed it into a 100 percent door-to-door dry-cleaning service that can handle any type of garment and serves Northeast Ohio, from Chardon to Avon Lake and into northern Akron and Medina.

Through its Signature Service, London Cleaners gives custom and designer garments the exceptional attention to detail they require, at every stage of processing. As Ohio’s only certified couture-level dry cleaner by America’s Best Cleaners, London Cleaners is the company that high-end retailers trust and recommend.

“We’re the only company that does exclusively door-to-door, and we’ve perfected the service,” Alex says. “It’s more efficient. There’s no minimum.

There’s no extra charge, just regular drycleaning charges.”

Customers can schedule regular twiceweekly service to have London Cleaners routinely stop by their homes or offices, or they can simply call, or email, on an asneeded basis. Nobody needs to be home, so the service is completely hands-off and convenient. Beyond convenience, though, London Cleaners maintains a level of drycleaning service attainable only through decades of experience.

“It’s the understanding of the garments and the understanding of the fabrics,” Alex explains. “I know how the garments are constructed and how the fabrics are made.”

Alex knows that certain chemicals and stains need to be addressed throughout the year to maintain the pristine quality of the garments.

This time of year, it’s important to remove perspiration stains around shirt collars and to thoroughly clean all dirt and pollen from the fabric in order to prolong the life of your clothes.

You’ve made an investment in your wardrobe. Keeping it clean will be the

best way to get a good return on that investment.

America’s Best Cleaners, an independent organization that measures London Cleaners against the highest standards in the industry, has recognized London Cleaners’ service since 2004. “We maintain much higher standards than most of the industry for the processing of the garments and their presentation to the clients,” Alex assures. London Cleaners uses a new, environmentally friendly cleaning process, which not only is more efficient but also cleans the garments better than conventional methods.

For all your dry-cleaning and laundry needs, let the experts at London Cleaners take the guesswork—and the legwork—out of garment care. Visit londoncleaners.com to explore the services offered or call 800.832.1222 to get started today.

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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Yoga is for Every Body

by Patti London photos courtesy Herb Ascherman, Yoga Roots and Fine Lifestyles

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hat do you picture when you think of yoga? A young, toned woman in an impossibly twisted pretzel pose? That certainly could be one example of a yogi at practice, but it’s only one possibility from an infinite number of possibilities. Yoga is available to every body - all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities.

The media has not represented the reality of yoga by limiting the images to the thin and super flexible and this has left many feeling left out.

One of the reasons I love my yoga studio is because all bodies are welcomed and celebrated there. Yoga Roots in Cleveland Heights is certainly not the only inclusive studio, but it’s the one closest to where I live. The variety of teaching styles and classes encourages all students to explore the potential of their practice.

At Yoga Roots, I see high school students finding the strength and selfconfidence on their mats that will form the foundation of a positive body image for the young men and women they’re on their way to becoming. I see women decades older than myself, providing the inspiration to those of us seeking a graceful, powerful path to aging well. We come to class with our pregnant bodies, our menopausal bodies, even our injured bodies, all beautiful in our own way.

Yoga is about breathing and moving your body. Everyone who has breath and a body can do it. Each class can bring something new, an awareness of movement or the recognition of a pattern of thought. The journey is individual but accessible to everyone. I find that different teachers can bring such varying perspectives even if the classes are all called Vinyasa Flow.

One teacher can bring a sacred feeling to the practice, reading poetry and selecting music to access your metaphysical self.

Another teacher’s approach is more physically demanding, building morale and confidence along with core strength in a nice, long plank pose.

If you feel intimidated by the idea of practicing yoga, begin with a class which teaches the basics. You’ll learn to let go of whatever happened earlier in the day and whatever is waiting for you on your todo list. You’ll learn to watch your breath, flowing rhythmically in and out. You’ll listen to your neighbors breathing with you and you’ll feel the connection to the community of mat-toting, peace-seeking yogis practicing together and supporting one another. This experience of breathing as a community has a power not easily found in other endeavors.

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A beginners class will give you the space to feel your body in a slow succession of poses. There’s no room for the “no pain, no gain” theory of fitness. Suffering through a pose is not what yoga is about.

Progress is defined individually, without judgment or expectation. Are you looking for stress relief today? Then that’s the goal you set for yourself for the time you spend on your mat today. If I want to learn to do a headstand, my goal for today is to practice that inversion, understanding that the headstand will be available to me through consistent practice and patience.

Practicing yoga isn’t a competition, not even with oneself.

© Daniel Levin

With that said, I’ve noticed that my body is happily finding positions now that were not available to me three or four years ago when I was a youngster in my late 40’s. Four years ago I was a longtime runner with an angry IT band.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor was not a pose my knees and hips did voluntarily.

Through a consistent practice and the encouragement of my teachers and my yoga community at both Yoga Roots and the Mandel Jewish Community Center, my knees and hips are much more open and accepting of sitting cross-legged on the floor. I can also hold a plank for five minutes. Much to my surprise, my body is changing in wonderful ways as I age. This has happened gradually over the years as a result of the joy I find on my mat.

I have noticed how my yoga practice affects my life off of the mat, too. I react to stressful situations much differently than I used to. I spend so much time practicing breathing on the mat that I find myself automatically inhaling deeply instead of raising my voice or clenching my jaw. By the time I exhale, my body has already decided to handle the stress calmly.

Crises are averted all day long thanks to my yoga training.

Change the limited image of a yogi you may have been carrying around in your mind. Picture yourself, no matter what you look like, in a happy baby pose, feet in the air and smile on your face. You deserve to feel good, physically and mentally. And, more importantly, the people you engage with every day deserve the best version of you, too. Find your best self on your mat.

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“What are we Going to do About Mom and Dad?”

By Kristal Pettit Photos White Sands Photography and courtesy Fine Lifestyles

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t is usually, though not always, the daughters who call.

“It sounds like a stereotype, but it’s true,” says Meg Pauken, Elder Law attorney with The Gertsburg Law Firm in Chagrin Falls.

“It’s almost always the adult daughters who manage the care and planning for their elderly parents. ‘The Sandwich Generation’ is a real thing. I know, because I’ve been there.”

In her more than 25-year career as an attorney, Meg has worked with a lot of families. Traditional estate planning, the wills and trusts most of us are familiar with, has always been on the menu of services she offers. About seven years ago, her focus sharpened considerably.

That’s when her father, the very

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independent care-taker of her mother, who suffered from dementia, became ill himself. Not long after, they both passed away, within two weeks of each other.

Once she emerged from her grief, Meg’s law practice took a turn.

“I knew exactly what I needed to do, and who I wanted to help at that point,” Meg shares. “There are so many families out there who need advice and guidance as their parents begin to decline in health and capacity. They have so many questions and aren’t sure just where to turn.”

Beginning “The Conversation,” as she calls it, is the necessary, but difficult, first step. It is awkward and often emotional to discuss a parent’s increasing loss of

capacity, but it is critical. There are ways to open the door.

“I recommend that, rather than starting the conversation with, ‘give me the car keys, you need to stop driving,’ it might be easier to start by asking, ’Dad, how would you like me to let you know when I think it’s time to stop driving?’ It is as painful for a parent to lose independence as it is for an adult child to watch them decline,” Meg suggests.

As for when and how to approach the legal part of planning, Meg has found that many senior citizens are often more comfortable talking bluntly to her than to their own families.

“Older adults don’t always want their

children to know that they are starting to struggle, or that they are worried about how they will manage long-term care expenses,” she explains. “Very often, once they are in my office it all spills out and I can really help the whole family through the process.”

Meg cautions, “There is a point at which loss of capacity affects the ability to plan, so it is critical to seek guidance before that point.”

How to start the process?

“Set up a consultation with an attorney who specializes in Elder Law. Explain to your parent that it is only a consultation – to ask questions, learn, and be educated.

It is much less overwhelming and allows

them to remain in control of the situation as much as possible. Then they can decide, with help, how best to plan.”

Meg is available for consultations at her offices in Chagrin Falls and downtown, and if there are serious mobility issues, she will even make “house calls.”

You may reach her at The Gertsburg Law Firm, 440.571.7777, or by email at mp@ gertsburglaw.com.

Meg Pauken, Esq. The Gertsburg Law Firm 100 N. Main St., Suite 300 Chagrin Falls 440.571.7542 mp@gertsburglaw.com gertsburglaw.com Meg Pauken, Esq. Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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Prepare Your Child for Success Over the Summer

by Kristal Pettit

photos Vincent Pearson Photography & courtesy Chagrin Brain Training

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as your student struggling with his or her ability to focus during the last school year? Use the precious summer months to address these difficulties so your student will be ready for success next year.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic brain disorder, the symptoms of which include inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity which interfere with daily functioning or development, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. While some inattention and hyperactivity are within the normal range of human behaviors, people with ADHD experience an inability to focus or excessive movement or talkativeness which is more severe and occurs more frequently, thus interfering with their ability to function.

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ADHD can cause children to fall behind in school, struggle to maintain healthy relationships and exhibit antisocial behaviors. Treatments for ADHD in children and adolescents commonly include medication, psychotherapy or a combination of the two. The medications prescribed are stimulants which can have serious side effects, including raised blood pressure and heart rate and increased anxiety.

children and adolescents who had been diagnosed with ADHD or Bipolar.

Dr. David Granoff has helped many young patients experience relief from the symptoms of ADHD without the use of stimulant medications. Trained as a psychotherapist, including postdoctoral training in Gestalt and Cognitive-Behavioral Psychology, Dr. Granoff became interested in neurofeedback sixteen years ago as a non-pharmacological treatment for

Dr. Granoff is a Certified Master Trainer in NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback and a passionate advocate for this brain training system. Dr. Granoff served for three years as the psychologist at VillaAngela St. Joseph High School and is currently a consulting psychologist at University School in Hunting Valley. His experience with children and adolescents in his practice has solidified his conviction

“My research led me to NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback,” Dr. Granoff explains.

“This is a non- invasive brain training system developed by the Zengar Institute in Canada. The results I began to see in my clients were noticeable and often significant and sometimes profound using NeurOptimal® neurofeedback.”

that NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback is as effective as medication, without the side effects. Dr. Granoff points out that the American Pediatric Academy has equated neurofeedback with medication in terms of efficacy for resolving ADHD. NeurOptimal® neurofeedback is extremely safe. Basically, Dynamical Neurofeedback® provides your child’s brain with the information it needs to correct itself and function at its most optimal. NeurOptimal® simply enables the brain’s natural process of self-correction and requires no effort on the user’s part. Some brain training systems require the user to “interact” by playing games or solve puzzles during sessions. This additional level of interaction is unnecessary with the NeurOptimal® neurofeedback system. During a training session, your child can simply relax and enjoy.

Visit Dr. Granoff’s website to read about the experiences of families who have seen such marked progress in the treatment of ADD/ ADHD that they have been able to eliminate or significantly reduce their reliance on medication for their children.

If your child is struggling with symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity which are negatively impacting his or her functioning, and you have concerns about the side effects of stimulants, contact Dr. Granoff’s office to schedule an appointment to discuss how neurofeedback might benefit your child.

Chagrin Brain Training 21403 Chagrin Blvd, Suite 210 216.752.5346 ChagrinBrainTraining.com

Dr. David Granoff Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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Medical Marijuana: What Does it Mean for Ohioans?

by Patti London photos courtesy Fine Lifestyles

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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ur country is experiencing a wave of change in its attitude toward marijuana use. Every year more states pass legislation legalizing the medical use or just plain legalizing the possession and use of marijuana. A short historical overview shows that we’re actually moving in a direction back to the way marijuana was used for centuries, with important differences in form and substance. A review of the science indicates that there’s much more to learn.

For Ohio, medical marijuana will soon be a fact of life. Let’s look at what this really means.

The first documented use of marijuana

for medicinal purposes was in China and dates back to 4,000 B.C.E. when records indicate that it was used as an anesthetic during surgery. The use of marijuana to relieve anxiety is recorded in texts from India dated 1,000 B.C.E. By the medieval era, Europeans were using marijuana to relieve the pain of toothaches and childbirth. Marijuana use in the early history of the United States was not uncommon. Prohibition of marijuana in 1937 most likely stemmed not from any scientifically based medical concerns, but from the prejudice against Mexican immigrants who were using marijuana.

Many arrests, incarcerations and much social condemnation later, we are re-

evaluating whether marijuana truly deserves the Schedule 1 designation as one of the most dangerous drugs subject to strict regulation. The current status of federal law as it relates to marijuana creates many hurdles to the scientific research necessary to a full understanding of the drug and its possible uses and side effects. Many studies have been conducted, nevertheless, and the preliminary results are promising.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), an agency under the auspices of the National Institutes of Health, there is growing interest in the marijuana chemical cannabidiol (CBD) to treat certain conditions such as childhood

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epilepsy, a disorder that causes a child to have violent seizures. CBD does not have an intoxicating effect and scientists are making CBD in oil form for treatment purposes.

NIDA describes further potential benefits of the cannabinoid THC, in addition to the CBD. THC can increase appetite and reduce nausea, may also decrease pain, inflammation and muscle control problems, such as those caused by multiple sclerosis (MS), and conditions stemming from diseases which affect the immune system, like HIV/AIDS. In addition to controlling epileptic seizures, preliminary studies show that CBD can possibly treat mental illness and addiction.

Many researchers, including those funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), are continuing to explore the possible uses of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids for medical treatment.

For instance, recent animal studies have shown that marijuana extracts may help kill certain cancer cells and reduce the size of others. Evidence from one cell culture study with rodents suggests that purified extracts from whole-plant marijuana can slow the growth of cancer cells from one of the most serious types of brain tumors. Research in mice showed that treatment with purified extracts of THC and CBD, when used with radiation, increased the cancer-killing effects of the radiation.

Some studies have suggested that medical marijuana legalization might be associated with decreased prescription opioid use and overdose deaths, but researchers don’t have enough evidence yet to confirm this finding. One NIDAfunded study suggested a link between medical marijuana legalization and fewer overdose deaths from prescription opioids. NIDA is funding additional studies to determine the link between medical marijuana use and the use or misuse of opioids for specific types of pain, and also its possible role for treatment of opioid use disorder.

The scientific literature indicates a great deal of interest in further studies, however the Schedule 1 designation continues to create many added roadblocks to research. Anecdotal evidence of the improvement in the daily lives of cancer patients, children with epilepsy, those

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living with chronic pain and the elderly can not be ignored simply because the FDA has not run enough clinical studies to approve marijuana for medical therapies.

If the only thing medical marijuana did was reduce the number of opioid addicted citizens, it should be welcomed as a valuable medicine to improve the lives of Ohioans.

Ohio has joined 21 other states in legalizing medical marijuana. It has been legal in California since 1996, so there has been enough of a path forged by other states that Ohio can learn from their mistakes and follow the lead of states who have successfully implemented regulation of the industry. Major and minor cultivation licenses have been awarded in Ohio, as well as licenses to run dispensaries throughout the state. By the end of 2018 this new industry will be fully functioning, manufacturing medical marijuana, as well as CBD products.

The newly licensed industry will result in the generation of a number of new jobs in areas of Ohio where they are sorely needed. The industry will also generate much needed tax dollars for our state, but most importantly, medical marijuana should bring relief to a significant number of patients.

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Don’t Spend Another Day in Pain

by Mike Cabrerra photos Vincent Pearson Photography

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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r. John Livingston has been a practicing chiropractic physician for more than 25 years. He is a third generation chiropractor and an advocate of a multifaceted approach to his patients’ health. Dr. Livingston recognizes the value of a problem-solving strategy to his patients’ injuries which incorporates different therapeutic techniques.

“The combination of chiropractic, pain management and massage therapy gives us an advantage,” Dr. Livingston says. “Livingston Chiropractic has multiple specialists who can address the problem under one roof.” Where a visit to a medical doctor often yields a prescription to treat the symptoms of pain or inflammation, Dr. Livingston and the specialists at Livingston Chiropractic

are more interested in getting to the root of the problem which is causing the symptoms. Dr. Livingston explains, “We stress addressing and assessing the problem before we start to work on it.”

Livingston Chiropractic handles a wide array of injuries, including those resulting from sports, repetitive stress and automobile accidents, and its specialists are certified under the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to treat workrelated injuries. Dr. Livingston has also had success in treating other issues, such as tendonitis, arthritis, scoliosis and muscle spasms in the spine or limbs.

“One of the most common problems that I see daily is sciatica – an acutely painful condition that results from the inflammation or irritation of the sciatic

nerve that runs down the back of the leg into the calf, ankle and foot,” says Dr. Livingston. “Sciatica often causes severe cramping or numbness of the toes, and spasms in the lower back and buttock.”

Sciatica can be caused by a number of conditions such as spinal disc herniation, tight piriformis muscles of the buttock which compress the sciatic nerve, spinal stenosis, or spinal degenerative disc disease/osteoarthritis.

Dr. Livingston has utilized conservative approaches – chiropractic treatments, physical therapy, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy, myofascial release, and nutrition – and saved patients tens of thousands of dollars on costly and invasive injections and surgeries. Dr. Livingston has helped to restore health to thousands of patients who thought that

Left: Dr. David Radford, Dr. John Livingston and Dr. Jay Plotkin Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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they had no options other than surgery and injections.

Contemporary chiropractors utilize the latest medical advances to assist with the process of diagnosis, including x-rays, CT scans, MRI’s, EMG’s, and other specialized medical testing, and are competent in treatment of neuromusculoskeletal injuries through the use of spinal manipulation, physical therapy, and exercise/postural training.

At Livingston Chiropractic, Dr. Livingston works closely with his team of specialists to offer comprehensive services to his patients which often leads to a quicker healing process. In addition to Dr. David Radford, also a chiropractor, the Livingston Chiropractic team includes Pat Gates, a licensed massage therapist and Dr. Jay Plotkin, a physician who practices acupuncture.

Dr. David Radford brings extensive experience in chiropractic medicine to the practice. Like Dr. Livingston, he is the son of a chiropractor. In fact, Dr. Radford shared a practice with his father for 40 years. He is certified in electrodiagnosis and uses electromyography (EMG) to diagnose, evaluate and treat patients with neurological or neuromuscular impairments. Dr. Radford worked at St. Vincent Hospital for two years using EMG technology to help his patients.

Most recently Dr. Radford has begun implementing a hemp-based CBD capsule and liquid medicine in his practice and hears promising reports from his patients regarding the reduction of their inflammation and pain.

Dr. Livingston also works closely with Pat Gates, a licensed massage therapist, who is skilled at performing treatments such as relaxation massage, medical massage, pregnancy massage, myofascial

release, stretching, and KMI/body work. Massage therapy is an excellent adjunct to chiropractic because it directly addresses the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia, all integral parts of the musculoskeletal system. Massage therapy assists with the management of pain, eliminating tightness and restriction of joints and provides a general sense of well-being for patients, as they participate in their rehabilitation. Dr. Livingston may recommend as part of a treatment program, sessions with a licensed massage therapist to speed recovery by improving circulation to injured tissues and facilitating relaxation and flexibility. Having massage in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments and rehabilitation can reduce healing time considerably, helping you to return to work or your daily activities in a timely fashion.

Besides being a licensed massage therapist, Pat Gates is a Certified Structural Integrator, a Worker’s Comp Provider, Adjunct Massage Therapy Instructor and Reiki Master. Pat became interested in bodywork after she took her first Reiki class in 1996 and worked through the ensuing years to become a Reiki Master. During that period she volunteered at a local Reiki Clinic working with clients suffering from life threatening illnesses. As fulfilling as this was, she wanted to enhance her skills.

Pat enrolled in the Cleveland School of Massage to learn basic massage for relaxation and then graduated from the National Institute of Massotherapy in 2002, passing her State Boards and receiving her license in 2003. Pat has worked with Dr. Livingston for the past 15 years, providing care for those injured on the job or in automobile accidents or from repetitive use injuries. She also offers soothing relaxation massage for her patients.

Another important member of the Livingston Chiropractic team is Dr. Jay Plotkin. Dr. Plotkin utilizes acupuncture and related therapies to assist patients with pain management, smoking cessation and migraine headaches and is an Addiction Detoxification Specialist. He has been practicing for over 27 years.

Acupuncture aims to correct imbalances of the body’s energy flow, or qi, and restore health through stimulation.

The stimulation is brought about when

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Dr. David Radford, Mary Radford, Dr. John Livingston, Dr. Jay Plotkin and Pat Gates

needles are inserted through the skin at points along the meridians of the body.

Studies have shown that pain relief occurs when acupuncture stimulates nerves.

Acupuncture causes the body to release natural chemicals called endorphins which relieve pain, as well as cortisol which reduces inflammation.

Dr. Livingston will capitalize on the skills and therapeutic treatments of the specialists at Livingston Chiropractic to effectuate the best treatment plan for his patients. He recognizes the value of this multidisciplinary approach when his patients experience genuine relief and recovery. Dr. Livingston also actively incorporates health and wellness into his treatment plans through general nutritional counseling. This gets patients back on track by providing their bodies the nutrients necessary to heal their injuries. Furthermore, Dr. Livingston provides this counseling for weight-loss and body-cleansing purposes to prevent potential future injuries.

Hopefully you are not presently experiencing pain or struggling with an injury. But if you are, consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Livingston.

Livingston Chiropractic’s staff of specialists will determine the proper diagnosis and treatment plan to return you to the active, healthy life you deserve.

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

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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Why Cook When You Can Cowboy?

By Kristal Pettit Photos Aaron Leyser

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ou can taste the smoky flavor as you pull into the parking lot, luring you inside with its intoxicating scent. Once inside, friendly faces greet you like you’re family and seat you at a comfy spot to peruse a menu pared down to the essentials - ribs, pulled pork, burgers, burritos, tacos, and unique salads.

Steven Kormanec, the chef at Cowboy Food and Drink spent time at a number of restaurants in downtown Cleveland, but came to Cowboy to perform the science of smoking. Steven enjoys the challenge of the slow, patient process of barbecue smoked in Cowboy’s 500 pound Southern Pride smoker. Each individual piece is rubbed and smoked up to seventeen

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Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

The signature sides pair well with the meaty menu options and a craft brew or bourbon. The sweet potato fries are light and crisp and match perfectly with the burnt ends or with an ancho chile honey glazed wild salmon. Cowboy’s mac & cheese is perfect as a side, but beyond perfection is the brisket mac & cheese entree. All sauces and dressings are made in-house. Their food selection is best defined as soulful all-American, smoked comfort food.

after games. “We see so many guests for regular, weeknight family dinners,” Steven explains. Cowboy Food and Drink offers a comfort food style dinner, served quickly and with something for the whole family.

There are specials throughout the week to please everyone, especially Monday’s kids eat free night, up to two kids for each adult entree ordered. Tuesday is half-price wings, Wednesday is burger night and Thursday features a rack of ribs special. Check out their menu online for all the weekly specials, as well as their happy hour menu, offered seven days a week.

Cowboy Food and Drink is a casual neighborhood spot, but roomy enough for the local little league team to stop in

Lunches are a popular option at Cowboy Food and Drink. For those busy days, call ahead and your lunch will be hot

hours to make it the softest and butteriest that quality Angus beef can be.

and ready when you arrive. You’ll have a satisfying lunch of real food, at a reasonable price, in a comfortable, casual ambiance. Their $8 lunch menu features five phenomenal salads, including a smoked chicken taco salad, and an assortment of wraps, sandwiches, melts and sliders, all served with french fries, tater tots, chips, coleslaw or bbq beans.

Cowboy’s team takes the smoky scrumptiousness of their barbecue and sides on the road to cater special events. Cowboy’s catering menu is ideal to celebrate family milestones at the restaurant, as well. The ambiance is totally family friendly. Multiple generations will find Cowboy equally welcoming, from the

smallest toddler to the family elders. The catered menu includes a choice of meat and two substantial sides for just $14 per person.

Cowboy Food and Drink is located on East Washington, just a few miles north of I-422. Call 440.708.1011 for reservations or visit the website at cowboyfoodanddrink.com to preview the menu. As they say, “why cook, when you can Cowboy?”

Cowboy Food and Drink 440.708.1011 8586 E. Washington Street, Chagrin Falls cowboyfoodanddrink.com

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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events CLEVELAND

JULY - SEPTEMBER

JULY 7 - SEPT 30 Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors Cleveland Museum of Art

AUGUST 11 Cleveland Flea 3615 Superior

JULY 12 Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band Edgewater Live Edgewater Beach

AUG 31 - SEPT 2 Cleveland Orchestra Star Wars: A New Hope Blossom Music Center

AUGUST 15 The Benjaminz Wade Oval Wednesday 10820 East Boulevard

JULY 24 - AUG 4 American Dance Festival DanceCleveland Playhouse Square

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SEPTEMBER 16 One World Day Cleveland Cultural Gardens

SEPTEMBER 28 Night Market E. 21st & Rockwell

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Downtown Dining in Nearby Concord

loser than you might imagine, there’s a dining destination with the five-star reviews of a restaurant you’d find in the hip neighborhoods of the city. Concord is a quaint town of just over 100,000 people, north of Chardon and south of Painesville, right off of I-90. For an intimate dinner of American cuisine at its finest, it’s well worth the short jaunt to Concord to experience Nouveau Bistro & Lounge.

Nouveau Bistro is the creation of Chef Sean St. Clair and his wife, Alison St. Clair. In 2014 they purchased John Palmer’s Bistro 44, a restaurant with a long-standing reputation in Chardon as the place to go for steak, and made it their own. It’s still the place to go for

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by Patti London photos Aaron Leyser

steak but the creative quality of the menu has caught up with Cleveland’s totally relevant food scene. Sean and Alison are bringing fresh ideas and establishing their own reputation with Nouveau Bistro & Lounge.

“We run a scratch kitchen where the quality of our ingredients is crucial,” Sean explains. “We make our own sauces, dressings and soups and source all the meat and seafood from the best distributors we can find.” Sean uses a wood fired grill and has truly grown to appreciate its advantages. It’s obvious that the quality of the food he sources and the skills he employs in the kitchen work in harmony when you taste the food.

Since officially changing their name to Nouveau Bistro & Lounge and establishing their standing in the competitive restaurant community, Sean and Alison have watched their business thrive.

“We have regulars who see our restaurant as their ‘Cheers’ and we see many customers reserving tables for special occasions,” Alison notes. “We really enjoy the wedding showers and baby showers, too. We’re closed for lunch but we’ll host events during the day and it’s just special to be a part of these life events.”

Nouveau Bistro’s menu lends itself to special events thanks to Chef Sean’s presentation and unique, flavorful dishes. Creative plating isn’t restricted

to downtown dining. The beauty of the pretzel crusted trout with cous cous and a frisee salad appeals first to the eyes, then to the palate. Their signature pork chop, served with sides which reflect the peak freshness of the season, is truly Instagram worthy as a culinary art form. Because they’re a scratch kitchen, all diners’ food restrictions are respected. If you’re vegan, ask what the chef recommends and prepare for a fun, flavorful meal.

Luckily, the entrees and cocktails aren’t priced to exclude diners who have nothing more to celebrate than a real appreciation for a lovely meal. Smart diners take advantage of the weeknight specials, most notably Thursday’s $1.50 oyster night. This special isn’t limited

to the bar, but open to the entire dining room. Almost as popular as Thursday night is Monday night’s Retail Wines by the Bottle night. Look for Nouveau Bistro’s other nightly specials on their website, nouveaubistroandlounge.com.

Visit lovely Concord and spend an evening enjoying the good things life offers - good company, friendly unobtrusive service, and fabulous food - at Nouveau Bistro & Lounge.

Nouveau Bistro & Lounge 7590 Fredle Drive, Concord 440.350.0793 nouveaubistroandlounge.com Sean, Alison, Sawyer and Sophia St Clair Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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William N. Skirball Writers Center Stage Series is Announced!

by Patti London

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or book nerds like me, the day of the announcement of the lineup for the William N. Skirball Writers Center Stage Series is like a holiday. Last year was especially amazing because some of my favorite authors, Colson Whitehead, Patti Smith and Margaret Atwood, were included in the lineup.

The William N. Skirball Writers Series brings incredible writers to Cleveland to talk about their inspirations, their process and the impact of their books, among many other topics. Each show is followed by a Q&A and book signing. I have a special place on my bookshelves for the signed copies of these books, reminders of how awkward I felt handing them over and trying to figure out something not-too-stupid to say to my idols.

The 2018-2019 Series begins in September with an author most will remember from childhood, Judy Blume. She won the Library of Congress’ Living Legends Award in 2000, among many other accolades, for good reason.

October’s author is little-known attorney, John Grisham. He’s sold a paltry 275 million books worldwide, and had a few of them turned into movies. His latest novel is The Rooster Bar. In November Jesmyn Ward will be interviewed by Ayana Mathis. She’s won two National Book Awards and is the first woman and first person of color to do so. Ms. Ward has authored Salvage the Bones, The Men We Reaped and Sing, Unburied, Sing. Ayana Mathis is an acclaimed author in her own right,

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having won resounding acclaim for her debut novel The Twelve Tribes of Hattie.

After a short hiatus for the holidays, the Series begins again in March with Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist, New York Times columnist and best-selling author Timothy Egan.

His well-known book The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl earned him the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2006.

In April, cartoonist Lynda Barry will be interviewed by her longtime friend Matt Groening, creator and executive producer of The Simpsons. Ms. Barry has authored 17 books and delighted readers with her seminal syndicated comic strip Ernie Pook’s Comeek.

Author Jennifer Egan ends the Skirball Writers Series in May. She has written five novels, including A Visit from the Goon Squad, for which she won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Critics Circle Award and most recently, one of my favorites, Manhattan Beach.

The 2018-19 William N. Skirball Writers Series is presented by the Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation and Case Western Reserve University. Series subscription packages for 2018-2019 are available now online or by calling 216.368.6062. Funds raised by this series help support Cuyahoga County Public Library, the nation’s top-rated library system for eight consecutive years.

All shows are in the Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center at Case Western Reserve University. I’ll see you there.

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Suzi Cipra, Teresa Mruk and Kristi Alawan

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Smart Home Technology, Meet Beautiful Window Coverings

ome automation is frequently associated with adjusting the lighting and temperature of your home remotely or automatically. Lutron Smart Home Technology has now brought affordable home automation to your window treatments, too.

Budget Blinds of Brecksville and Chagrin Falls is excited to introduce the Lutron Smart Home Technology Solution to their customers. Budget Blinds owner Suzi Cipra and her design staff can provide answers and options for all of your questions about bringing smart home technology to your home. And they’re happy to answer those questions during a complimentary consultation in your

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by Mike Cabrerra photos Aaron Leyser

home, where it’s much easier for you to demonstrate what your technology and design needs are.

“These smart shades come in a wealth of styles and fabrics, and can be opened and closed with the touch of a button,” Suzi explains. “The look is very contemporary with a clean fit inside the deeper windows.” The roller shades are available in a wide variety of colors, from neutrals to vibrant bolds, and in textures ranging from delicate linens to woven fibers.

Insulating honeycomb shades also range from sheer, light filtering styles to roomdarkening fabric options.

Petros Home Builders have recognized the value this technology provides

homeowners and have incorporated the smart shades in many of the model homes in their new developments. The elegant style of the shades complements the sophisticated design and architecture of Petros Homes.

A safety feature of the shades is their cordless design, important for families with children or pets. The smart shades operate on standard D size alkaline batteries, which last approximately six years and are easily replaced without removing the shades.

Suzi demonstrated the ease with which Amazon’s Alexa coordinates with the smart shade technology. “Alexa, movie night!” Suzi told the virtual assistant. The

lights dimmed and the room-darkening blackout shades dropped in synchronized motion, so quietly they were all but silent.

The home theater was ready for family film night.

The Lutron Smart Home Technology works equally well with other leading smart home brands, like Nest and Apple’s HomeKit, for seamless integration with thermostats, lighting and sound systems. You can preprogram your window treatments and lighting to make it appear that you’re home when you’re on vacation. Suzi also pointed out that you can program your shades to drop at certain points during the day if you know

Lutron Automatic Shades Open

the sun is blazing in while you’re at work, allowing your cooling system to run more efficiently and saving on your utilities costs.

you,” Suzi adds. “There is no pressure to buy and it’s complimentary.” Schedule your free, in-home consultation to help you find the perfect design solutions while respecting your budget.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a virtual assistant to respond to your voice commands. “Lutron’s line of smart shades can be operated with remote controls or through the free Lutron app on your smart phone or tablet,” Suzi explains.

Don’t let the proliferation of home technology options overwhelm you. Ask Suzi how a smart home can enhance your family’s living environment. “Call for an appointment and we will bring it all to

Budget Blinds/Chagrin Falls 440.268.9390 budgetblinds.com/ChagrinFalls

Lutron Automatic Shades Closed

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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Bring Nature into Your Home’s Design

- Inside and Out

by Mike Cabrerra photos Aaron Leyser

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Jayme O’Brien and Michelle Zupancic

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f you’ve been looking to update your kitchen recently, you’ve probably noticed a few interesting trends in countertops and backsplashes. In fact, the creative options for using stone throughout your home’s interior and exterior have expanded dramatically.

O’Brien Cut Stone is ahead of the natural stone trends in home decor.

O’Brien Cut Stone has provided the craftsmanship behind some of Cleveland’s most distinctive landmarks for nearly one hundred years, including Terminal Tower and Hope Memorial Bridge. The company is now run by the fourth generation of O’Briens, but their craftsmanship endures. Their newest skilled stone cutter has been with O’Brien Cut Stone for 16 years and their most senior stone cutter has been with the company for over 36 years. Their skillful artisans work on interior projects as well as exterior landscape concepts, for both residential and commercial undertakings.

Staff members work with homeowners and their design teams to express the customer’s vision. Customers select their own slabs of stone after viewing them personally, sometimes in the outside yard, where the natural light reveals

intricate graining and the unique patterns that make stone so appealing. When selecting interior products, such as stone countertops, backsplashes or fireplace surrounds, the team at O’Brien works closely with its customers to assess their goals, plan the project, create a budget and a timeline. O’Brien’s pricing is allinclusive, incorporating the planning, cutting, finishing and installation.

The emphasis on natural materials allows nature to become an understated design theme, easily blending the interior and exterior. Using plants and natural stone materials such as quartz, marble, soapstone and travertine easily emulates nature, and creates a serene space. Recent trends in kitchen design include lighter-toned neutral countertops to allow for the more dramatic options in contemporary cabinets, flooring and tile. The staff at O’Brien will help their customers find the best match between functionality and aesthetics.

Just as using natural materials brings the outdoors inside, using exterior materials like limestone, sandstone, flagstone and blue stone can create an outdoor living space, effectively forming an easy flow from the inside to the outside of your

home and dissolving boundaries in your living space. Outdoor projects might include walkways and steps, patios, retaining walls or outdoor kitchens.

At O’Brien they work with the stone by hand, rare in the industry, but which results in tighter, more precise, cuts and finer finishes. The Old World quality is apparent when contrasted with any similar project using basic, massproduced stone.

Stop in today and explore the many natural stone options available at O’Brien Cut Stone.

O’Brien Cut Stone is conveniently located at 19100 Miles Road in Cleveland.

Showroom hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Visit the website for more information: obriencutstone.com. O’Brien is proud of its “Angie’s List Super Service Award” and is an A+ member of the Better Business Bureau.

O’Brien Cut Stone 19100 Miles Road, Cleveland 216.663.7800 obriencutstone.com

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S

High Style Pavers for Blissful Backyards

by Mike Cabrerra photos Aaron Leyser & courtesy New Vista

mall spaces are finally getting the respect and attention they deserve. While elaborate outdoor kitchens and expansive pools will always be featured in the architectural magazines, tiny houses and small space landscapes provide opportunities to showcase real creativity and resourcefulness.

Brothers Matt and Mike Supler of New Vista Enterprises would like to show you how you can take a small backyard and turn it into an extraordinary outdoor entertaining space. “Mike is the design and construction guy,” Matt explains, “And I’m the plant guy.” They’ll develop

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a conceptual design plan based on your vision and work with you to transform your backyard space to a destination for your neighbors, friends and family.

“We really work in creative collaboration with our customers,” Mike says. “The options for creating a really unique space have expanded so much in recent years.

Where we installed sandstone, bluestone or brick in the past, the advances in concrete and porcelain pavers has opened up a whole new world.”

New Vista carries two brands of pavers and wall building materials which exemplify the latest technology in landscape materials. Techo-Bloc and

Unilock both manufacture collections which exceed the durability and color retention of natural materials, while expanding the design possibilities with finishes which resemble everything from the cobblestones of an historic European village, to the modern slabs of granite, to the raw texture of wood.

The materials are built to withstand the weight of vehicles if your vision is to pave your driveway. The newly engineered materials are weather-resistant and saltresistant, more durable and maintenance free than their natural counterparts.

If you believe that your backyard is too small to incorporate a glamorous patio

- think again. The beauty of working with these uniformly manufactured materials is that the installation process is vastly simplified. There’s no leveling each uniquely sized natural stone three different times. Mike explains that a patio project can begin on Wednesday and be ready for a party on Saturday.

service: “Once we start a job, we are there every day until it is finished,” Matt says.

Mike and Matt enjoy the creativity that their work allows. The smaller spaces present interesting creative challenges, which lead to great rewards for both the Supler brothers and the homeowners.

The Suplers’ creativity is evident throughout greater Cleveland, where they’ve worked with Land Studio on many public art installations, in addition to their residential work.

Call New Vista Enterprises today for a consultation on the best way to utilize your outdoor space, no matter what size, to take full advantage of our beautiful warm weather seasons. Visit the website at newvistaent.com to see a gallery of projects and for more information.

New Vista is serious about customer

New Vista forms long-lasting relationships with their clients, with about 90% of their business coming via referrals from satisfied customers, which is the best possible endorsement.

New Vista Enterprises 216.291.1100 newvistaent.com

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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Dependable Gutters are Your Home’s First Line of Protection Against the Elements

by Kristal Pettit photos Aaron Leyser and courtesy Great Lakes Gutters

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ntil your gutters aren’t doing their job, you hardly notice them. Once they fail to redirect the precipitation off and away from your home, they’ll have your full attention. Not much concerns a homeowner like water where it isn’t supposed to be, dripping from the ceiling or leaking in through the foundation walls.

Before you face such an emergency, talk with one of the professionals at Great Lakes Gutters.

For over twenty years Great Lakes Gutters has served customers throughout Northeast Ohio. This local company can offer significant savings, between 20 and

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25% less in most cases, because Great Lakes Gutters isn’t part of a national franchise. There’s no middle man, you deal directly with the owner, Matt Farmwald. He can inspect your gutters and find potential problem areas, before any expensive damage occurs. “You can’t tell how bad the gutters are until you get up there and perform an inspection,” explains Matt. “Our inspections are always free,” he adds.

Great Lakes Gutters offers two sizes of seamless aluminum gutters to accommodate the different needs of area homes. Standard 5 inch seamless aluminum gutters with 2x3 inch

downspouts work for most homes, but 6 inch gutters with slightly larger downspouts work more efficiently to redirect water on larger homes with more roof surface area. Knowing that Ohio’s climate hits extremes of heat and cold, with plenty forms of precipitation added in for good measure, Great Lakes Gutters offers only the highest quality materials to withstand the harsh seasons. Even the hidden screw fasteners are of premium quality to maintain their strength and durability, unlike the older nail fasteners.

If you’ve had enough of climbing up and down a ladder to clean your gutters in the brisk fall weather, or if you’re tired of

paying someone else to do that, save your back and your money with maintenance free gutters. “We’ve been installing different gutter guarding systems over the last 20 years, and we’re satisfied that only two systems are worth the investment to install. They’ve been tested in all climates and protect the roof shingles better than any other system on the market,” Matt explains. “The mesh products which you see advertised eventually get clogged with dirt and debris. This is not a factor with the two systems we install.” That’s why Great Lakes Gutters offers lengthy warranties on each of the two systems: the Shur Flo system is guaranteed for 25 years and the Leaf Helmet system carries a lifetime no-clog warranty.

The Shur Flo system can be attached to the fascia board and the front of your gutter for better structural strength and efficiency. It’s an attractive low profile installation which doesn’t void your roof warranty like other gutter guard systems because it doesn’t penetrate the shingles of your home’s roof. Great Lakes Gutters’ experienced installation crew can attach the Shur Flo system to your home’s existing gutters or to new ones.

The Leaf Helmet system will keep all dirt, leaves, shingle grit and debris clear from your gutters. This system comes standard with a larger downspout for the ultimate efficiency in water distribution even in the heaviest of rains. Heavy snows won’t affect this durable system, either. Only available as a new installation, the Leaf Helmet system comes in a range of 32 colors.

Comparision of the 6” and the 4” Gutters

Great Lakes Gutters offers free consultations and estimates on both of these systems and on any other gutterrelated question you might have. Great Lakes Gutters is an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, which Matt is very proud of.

The company is fully licensed, bonded and insured. Make informed decisions about your gutter options by calling them today.

Great Lakes Gutters 440.479.2117 greatlakesguttersllc.com Matt Farmwald Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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Have a Clean, Healthy Home and an Energy Efficient Furnace System, Too

by Mike Cabrerra photos Aaron Leyser and courtesy Fine Lifestyles

O

nce you’ve seen the dust particles in a shaft of sunlight, you have some idea of the airborne debris floating through your home.

We found a way to keep our home from collecting so much dust, and our lungs from having to process all that debris as well, with one phone call to Mighty Ducts, the air duct cleaning specialists.

Mighty Ducts has been improving the air quality of homes since 1994. Since then they’ve cleaned the ductwork systems of more than 84,000 homes. They arrived at our home with a set of hoses and a highpowered vacuum set up in our driveway.

They routinely clean the ducts of older homes which have experienced the dust and debris of remodeling, as well as new

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homes which often retain the original construction rubble.

The duct-cleaning technicians who arrived at our home were professional and knowledgeable. After noting the locations of each heating vent and air return, they set up their equipment to begin the cleaning process. Without removing the

paint-coated covers, they were able to blow the debris from each vent on the upper floors down to the furnace level where it was collected and efficiently removed. Mighty Ducts removes on average 10-15 pounds of debris from a typical home.

The technicians moved from vent to vent, blowing each area clean while the other vents were blocked with paper covers to isolate the vacuum suction for maximum cleaning power. Once all of the ductwork was cleared, Mighty Ducts cleaned the components of our furnace

and air conditioning to get rid of mold, bacteria, dust mites and other allergens which may have been present. A clean duct system reduces the particulates in a home’s air which can trigger asthma and other respiratory symptoms. A clean air duct system, with quality furnace filters and regular equipment maintenance, will provide a cleaner, healthier air environment for your home.

The Mighty Ducts technicians assured us that our thoroughly cleaned system will increase the fuel efficiency of our system, too. Research has shown that energy usage can be reduced by up to 10% after an air duct cleaning. A mere 1/16th of an inch of dirt on your furnace’s fan blades can dramatically decrease its efficiency.

Pam Fraser, Patrick Fraser and Denise Nowak

Many problems associated with furnace problems and breakdowns are directly related to dust and dirt getting into the switches and relays of your furnace. A clean duct system will help reduce your overall maintenance cost and risk of breakdowns.

We have been amazed at the difference in our home’s air quality since having our ducts cleaned. For a cleaner, healthier home and more energy efficient and reliable heating and cooling system, air duct cleaning can be one of your home’s best investments. Mighty Ducts is certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners’ Association and uses professional equipment, operated by certified technicians to provide homeowners with the highest level of service in the industry.

Mighty Ducts 26285 Broadway Ave., Broadview Hts. 440.232.9450 mightyducts.com

Debris and Dust in Dirty Vent

Clean Air Vent Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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#TimeToExplore:

The Cleveland Metroparks are Calling

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by Patti London photos courtesy Cleveland Metroparks

ow to write about the Cleveland Metroparks in three pages?

The options for adventure make it difficult. Because we have jobs and family responsibilities it’s impossible to make the most of our park system - there’s simply not enough time.

The Cleveland Metroparks comprises eight golf courses, over 300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and 18 park reservations on 23,000 acres.

There’s swimming, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. It doesn’t end with

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the warm weather, either. In winter you’ll find tobogganing, sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. And year-round the nationally-acclaimed Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open to visitors.

This spring the Cleveland Metroparks and the Cleveland Clinic joined together to improve the health of the community by linking Clevelanders to a wide array of free programs, activities and experiences offered by Cleveland Metroparks.

“It’s never been easier to get outside and get active,” says Brian M. Zimmerman,

Cleveland Metroparks CEO. “The ‘Explore Your Park’ initiative will drive awareness to our thousands of free recreation and education programs.”

Even if you and your family use the parks system regularly, you’ll be surprised at the opportunities you’ll discover through the Metroparks’ and Clinic’s’ new initiative to encourage you to “Explore Your Park.” Customized, location-specific information is available at 12 Cleveland Metroparks locations, connecting the community with free activities and

programming to drive a healthy lifestyle.

The initiative also includes the launch of clevelandmetroparks.com/ GetActiveCLE. The new webpage features wellness tips and videos featuring Cleveland Clinic experts and encourages the community to get out in the parks and share their experience using the hashtag #GetActiveCLE. Cleveland Metroparks will further engage the community in their exploration of the parks through an ‘Explore Your Park’ Facebook LIVE series.

It might sound strange to begin your

outdoor adventure on the internet, but the Metroparks has made exploring easy to map out through their interactive website. You can select the closest nature preserve and learn about the weekend’s programming. Or you can search for the activity you feel like pursuing and find out where you can best accomplish it. Then just pack your snacks and water bottles and get outside.

Maybe you live close to the South Chagrin Reservation, one of the most biologically diverse reservations in the

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system. The web page for the South Chagrin Reservation initially suggests a hike along the Buckeye Trail, a hemlock lined pathway which runs along the scenic Chagrin River. Besides many trails, hemlock forests, sandstone ledges, coldwater creeks and ravines, this reservation features an Arboretum, Polo Field and an historic sandstone sculpture created by artist and blacksmith Henry Church in 1885. Look About Lodge, a log cabin built in 1938 by the Cleveland Natural Science Club, offers year-round outdoor education programming for all ages. On one Sunday the events at South Chagrin Reservation included live animals at the Look About Lodge with a naturalist and two guided hikes, one at 6:30 a.m. to beat the heat and a family creek hike at 6:30 p.m. And this is just one of 18

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reservations in the Metroparks system.

The internet makes it easy to discover what the parks have to offer and what events are planned for today.

Maybe you’re ready to put air in the tires and get your bike out of the garage.

Select “Recreation” on the Metroparks’ home page and choose “Biking & Cycling” from the drop-down list of 20 different activities. You’ll learn about mountain bike classes offered at different skill levels, a guided family bike ride through the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, a Bike the Night event, and two different races scheduled for September. Now that you’re aware of several motivational events to start training for, the biking & cycling page will link you to the Big Creek Reservation where the 2.4 mile

Lake to Lake Trail connects Lake Abram to Lake Isaac, passing through 175 acres of wetlands. Or for a bit more water, take your bike to the Lakefront Reservation to ride along Lake Erie from Gordon Park to Voinovich Park. Once you’ve built up your endurance head to the Towpath Trail for a longer ride along the Ohio & Erie Canal.

Once you’ve navigated the Metroparks’ website, don’t waste anymore time inside. Follow the advice of the experts at the Cleveland Clinic and the Metroparks personnel and explore your park. Your mental and physical health depends on both moving and a regular dose of nature.

So go walk, bike, paddle or golf your way through the Cleveland Metroparks today.

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Plan Now to

Spend Next Summer in Your Enhanced Outdoor Space

T

by Kristal Pettit photos Vincent Pearson Photography and courtesy Exscape Designs

o take full advantage of the long, light-filled evenings this time of year, many of us are looking for patio dining options. While eating out is nice occasionally, wouldn’t it be better to have a beautiful patio dining option in your own backyard? Exscape Designs can help you repurpose your yard into a relaxing, yet fully functional, area to enjoy. And now is the perfect time to begin the planning process to enjoy your new outdoor space for the entire season next year.

Exscape Designs, headquartered in Novelty, Ohio, will work with you to create an outdoor oasis that suits your personal style and budget. A full service landscape company with over 100 years of combined experience in its staff of

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certified landscape professionals, the company has been creating outdoor improvements in northeast Ohio since 2004.

Whether you’re seeking a beautiful garden waterscape, a renovated patio, or a brand new outdoor kitchen, Exscape Designs will take the time during the beginning stages of the design process to fully understand your vision and assess your property. Bill Dysert, president and CEO, explains, “Excellent customer service requires a thoughtful approach so we’ve developed a creative and collaborative process which is thoroughly client-driven.”

This is a good time to begin the initial design phase when perennial plantings

are in full growth and you can decide which will be incorporated into the new design. Talented landscape designers will work closely with the homeowner or their builder or architect to determine the vision and goals of the landscape design. The client’s needs and budget are discussed in detail at this phase, so that the plan is consistent with the client’s style preferences and produces the desired functionality, within the designated budget.

“Exscape’s designs don’t fall into the usual traditional or modern categories,” Bill notes. “Our landscape designers take important cues from both the exterior and interior of the home, the color palettes and the design selections, to develop the composition of the new project.”

The designers and craftspeople fine tune the details while the homeowner is guided through the material selection, whether the project is a new patio or a complete remodeling of the entire outdoor space. The project manager maintains communication with the client through regular progress updates and site visits.

The homeowner enjoys watching the entire project materialize during the build phase.

Bill Dysert

Once the landscape design build is complete, Exscape Design continues to serve as a resource in maintaining the landscape. As part of the follow-up process, they check in 30 days after the installation to review the project. They also offer clients ongoing landscape maintenance plans and services. “Our promise is no customer left behind. We offer full property care and service, 12 months a year,” Bill says. “Although a small portion of our business is high-end boutique commercial work, 95% of our operation is devoted to residential clients.

Exscape Designs functions as their personal property manager.”

The dozens of testimonials on the Houzz site suggest that clients agree that Exscape Designs consistently delivers more than what’s expected. Exscape Designs has won “Best of Houzz” Service awards for the past three years in a row in recognition of their high standards and an unfailing commitment to their customers.

Contact Exscape Designs to learn how your backyard can become the summer evening haven for your family and friends.

You can still visit a restaurant patio now and then, but you’ll want to spend most evenings enjoying the pleasant comfort of your own.

Exscape Designs 10121 Kinsman Road, Novelty 440.729.0011 exscapedesigns.com

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Enjoy the Movies Even More from Your Home Theater

by Kristal Pettit photos Vincent Pearson Photography and Clint Buhler

W

ouldn’t you love to entertain friends with a night at the movies, but in the comfort of your own home? Xtend Technologies are the audio/ video professionals to call if you’re ready to convert a room into a home theater or want to include one in the new home you’re planning to construct.

Xtend Technologies has been preparing for the high-tech revolution since its inception in 2001. Specializing in home theater, home automation, distributed audio, high-end 2-channel stereo, IT solutions, networking, and basically, all things audio/video, Xtend Technologies has built a showroom to facilitate

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explaining the answers to consumers’ technology questions.

Owners Tony and Nick Fabrick invite you to their modern 6,500 square foot showroom to experience a demonstration. “Our showroom is designed with hands-on demonstration in mind. For us it’s about presenting people all the options at all price points,” Tony illustrates. “Our showroom is actually made up of twelve different showrooms, each configured as a comfortable room in one’s home,” he says. “Our staff is trained to demonstrate all the latest technologies in home theater.”

The showrooms demonstrate how video

equipment, projectors, screens and televisions can be integrated throughout your home. Television screens can be installed above fireplace mantles, imbedded in the master bath mirrors, and even incorporated in an outdoor entertainment space. Home theaters are a very popular a way for friends and family to enjoy video media in all of its forms.

Whether you’re remodeling an existing room or working with a builder to add a theater to your home, Xtend Technologies provides the perfect opportunity to experience the products and equipment in a home theater setting. The staff have the answers to questions you haven’t even considered yet regarding room size,

seating options, wall sound treatment solutions, as just a few examples. A new sound format called Dolby ATMOS is a 3D object oriented sound format that can be heard in their showroom to truly appreciate its three-dimensional surround sound.

Tony especially enjoys being able to sit down with a client and their architectural plans before a new build begins. “It’s critical if you’re building a custom home to discuss the possibilities for integrating a home theater with the latest equipment early on,” Tony explains. “That’s the best time to make installation of the technology seamless.” Even if you are incorporating a home theater into your current home, bring your plans to the

showroom and find out how to make the most of your space.

Before taking the short ride down I-77 to the showroom, Tony recommends that you establish a budget for the project you have in mind. “Just because you give us a number, doesn’t mean we’re going to spend all your money,” Tony promises.

“We’re here to provide you value for your budget, which means finding the appropriate products for your home theater project. We have many products from many different vendors, so we can find something right for you and right for your wallet.”

Xtend Technologies has received high praise from customer reviews with

respect to their process, professionalism, and product quality. Check out reviews and their recent projects on houzz.com/ pro/xtendav/xtend-technologies.

Xtend Technologies is waiting to show you the audio/video technology you’ve been looking for. The showroom is open Tuesday through Friday from 10-7 and Saturday 10-4, open by appointment on Mondays.

Xtend Technologies 7981 Broadview Road, Broadview Heights 440.526.7500 xtendav.com

Nick and Tony Fabrick

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W h o D o e s n’ t Wa n t a C l e a n , Or ganized Garage?

By Dylan Yépez Photos Courtesy of Garage Finisher

H

ave you been avoiding the accumulation of stuff in your garage? Summer is here and you’re going to need to find those garden tools.

Wouldn’t you like some help cleaning and organizing your garage space?

All you have to do is call Mario F.X. Salwan at Garage Finisher, and he’ll take care of the rest. Garage Finisher is a full-service garage-makeover provider that will be in and out faster than you can come up with another excuse not to makeover your garage.

When Mario says “full service,” he means it. The professionals at Garage Finisher begin by removing everything from your garage, storing items you still want in a storage trailer and discarding or donating anything you don’t want. Then, they handle any work you choose including

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Lifetime Warranty Flooring System, epoxy wall painting, attractive cabinets and PVC Slatwall System. When Garage Finisher is done, they remove everything from storage and organize it in your new cabinets and slatwall. And, they do all this in an average of three days. If, on the other hand, you want just to have your unsightly flooring redone, Garage Finisher still provides the exact same removal, storage and reorganization services for everything inside your garage and can do the floor in just one day. According to Mario, you will “come home from work

and not have to lift a finger.”

Many mixtures of stone and epoxy used for garage flooring turn yellow over time, come apart and trap water and other contaminants because they are porous and use old-fashioned epoxy. Garage Finisher provides completely nonporous floors, preventing the absorption of anything into the surface. The difference is polyaspartic — a resin that’s four times as strong as epoxy and doesn’t peel, yellow, stain or degloss like epoxy does — and was created by Bayer Chemical.

This is the same flooring that Garage Finisher uses in heavy traffic, commercial projects. This flooring comes in a variety of colors and textures and is also fastdrying, so you can drive on it the day after it’s applied. Garage Finisher confidently offers a lifetime warranty on its work, which covers everything, including staining, cracking, hot-tire pick-up and

delamination with no need to ever reseal the floor.

When it comes to finishing your garage, flooring is only half the battle. Over time, garages go downhill: the paint peels, junk builds up, and there is no system of organization.

Garage Finisher will complement the flooring with strong, durable slatwall which includes a variety of hooks and storage baskets, as well as metal or wood cabinets that have adjustable shelves for permanent organization. As with the flooring, the slatwall and cabinets come with lifetime warranties. You’ll be proud of your garage when you arrive home each day, guests will be amazed by your clean garage, and your clean garage floor will keep your house cleaner.

Call 216.831.4500 to schedule a free consultation, design and estimate for your new garage space.

Garage Finisher 216.831.4500 4530 Renaissance Parkway Warrensville Heights, Ohio garagefinisher.com

Visit garagefinisher.com for more information about Garage Finisher, a gallery of its work, and a quick five minute video that details the makeover process.

The Salwan Family

Before

After

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Concrete Projects

to Enhance Your Exterior Living Space

C

by Kristal Pettit photos courtesy ALBA Contractors

oncrete’s versatility makes it the ideal material for exterior home improvement projects.

It makes for the perfect, maintenance free, driveway. But consider the possibilities for a new walkway, patio or pool deck, too. ALBA Contractors, Inc. know concrete and can help you reimagine a new look for your outdoor spaces.

in sales and in maintaining the vision of ALBA Contractors, Inc. As President and CEO, Al plays an integral role in the estimates provided each customer. He doesn’t rely on a supervising foreperson - Al is on every job, integrally involved in each project. ALBA Contractors provides construction services to clients who demand professionalism, integrity, trust, and impeccable customer service.

Al Sluga, of ALBA Contractors, Inc., founded his company in 1995, starting from a small office in his shed. He’s now a respected industry leader in concrete construction, with over 25 years of experience in the residential and commercial construction industry including on-site supervision and project management. He is the lead component

Al is clear about the advantages of a concrete driveway over one constructed from asphalt, “Asphalt driveways actually cost more in the long run than concrete because they lack longevity and asphalt driveways require much more maintenance. Not to mention how the asphalt sealant gets tracked into the house.”

Al Sluga

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If you’re thinking of a new patio as the foundation of a backyard living and entertaining space, Al has good news for you. “Concrete is quite versatile. A decorative finish gives your concrete both durability and a polished, unique appearance.” He also added, “When compared to cobblestone or brick, concrete is also more moderately priced.”

Decorative finishes include the range of options that stamped concrete offers, too. Stamped concrete is concrete that is patterned or embossed to resemble other materials like brick, slate, flagstone, stone or tile. It can be used for patios, sidewalks, driveways or pool decks. Stamped concrete is a less expensive alternative to using actual stone, slate or brick, and it’s much more durable.

When planning the project, Al likes to talk with homeowners about the finish, whether it’s a driveway replacement, a patio, pool deck or walkway. A traditional broom finish or beautiful hand finish to your driveway will enhance your home’s curb appeal. Adding a decorative finish with the stamped patterns or adding color to the concrete can give it the appearance, feel, and look of much more expensive materials such as brick, tile, slate, or stone.

ALBA can assist with everything from demolition to removal of your existing structures. Their skilled tradesmen understand that the final product depends on the proper performance of each step of the process. ALBA’s team of installers always restore the lawn to its original condition so the project will be complete.

ALBA Contractors applies the same standards to all its work, whether they are pouring a patio or driveway, waterproofing your home, or repairing or replacing your drain or sewer line. When you call to schedule your consultation, you’ll be happy to know that an actual person will always answer the line during business hours. ALBA’s entire team understands quality and customer service.

ALBA Contractors 8670 Twinbrook Road, Mentor 440.974.9085 albacontractors.com

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Summer in Paris with the Tourists

by Patti London photos courtesy Fine Lifestyles

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W

e look forward to visiting Paris again - and not going to the Eiffel Tower, or the Louvre, or Versailles. But we certainly don’t regret visiting them last summer with our new best friends, the million other tourists who stood in line with us.

to the Seine, the Tuileries Garden and the Louvre. The side streets were very quiet, which was due, we learned later, to the fact that the Parisians were all on vacation. The tourist sites were considerably busier because everyone who wasn’t a Parisian was on vacation in Paris.

Paris was the first stop on our European tour last summer. Marc and I arrived ahead of Dylan and Ricardo, our son and son-in-law, who were meeting us there. After checking into the airbnb appartement of our dreams on the quiet Rue de Varenne in the 7th Arrondissement, we explored the neighborhood. We were a short walk

We visited the Eiffel Tower three days in a row. It was what I consider walking distance from our airbnb but not everyone would want to do that hike. The first day, Marc and I took the obligatory selfies and then returned with our kids the second day with the intention of going up the Tower. By the time we arrived, the line was hours long so we vowed to return the

next morning before it officially opened.

Next, we lunched on escargot in the Tuileries. It was tranquil and so lovely I could have stayed there drinking wine all afternoon. We visited the tourist center located under the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. Little did we know that an entire shopping and dining area existed under the plaza in front of the Louvre.

We did learn that the best way to visit the major attractions was to buy tickets in advance. This puts you in the shortest lines and ultimately costs less.

With tickets in hand, we visited the Musée D’Orsay, a former railway station, now home to rooms upon rooms of

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Impressionist paintings and sculpture.

There were the Monets, Renoirs, Degases, and Cezannes we’ve all seen in art history courses. The Musée D’Orsay’s collection included several rooms of Van Gogh paintings and more Toulouse-Lautrecs than I knew existed.

Leaving the museum, we refueled at Angelina’s with chocolate, pastries and champagne. At least the line outside of Angelina’s moved quickly.

We split up on the third day, Marc and I returning to the Eiffel Tower to beat the crowds and Dylan and Ricardo headed to the Louvre with the same idea. Security is pretty tight at the Eiffel Tower, but we made it through the line in a half-hour and headed to the elevators. The “lower” floors of the Tower offer great views and shops and cafes but the elevators take you up for a unique view of Paris.

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From that height Paris appears to be the modern metropolis that she is. When you’re walking along the Seine from the Tower to the Louvre, however, you only see the historic city. Being inside the Eiffel Tower also allows you to appreciate the Tower as an engineering marvel. From outside the Tower it looks a bit surreal, but up close you see the bolts and cables, the gears and the graceful arch of the beams.

By the time we arrived at the Louvre later that morning, the rest of the crowd was there. Because we had our advance tickets in hand, it did save us some time in line, but maneuvering through the exhibits was challenging at times. We spent two hours visiting the Venus de Milo, the Caryatids room and the Mona Lisa, from a distance. Dylan and Ricardo’s early morning visit was quieter and they got much closer to the Mona Lisa.

Marc and I left the Louvre to walk to the Le Marais neighborhood to find Lenny Kravitz’s favorite falafel joint, L’As du Fallafel. We pictured a small, off-thebeaten-path place, but yes, found a line.

The sandwiches and hummus were worth the wait.

We passed Notre Dame on the way back to the apartment, but didn’t wait in line to go inside. It was fun just looking at the gargoyles and chimeras gracing the exterior. By that point in the day I had 28,758 steps on my activity monitor, only triple my daily goal. We ended the day in Montmartre, enjoying a lovely dinner and a view of Paris at night from the steps of Sacré-Coeur. We took an uber up the hill to Sacré-Coeur and back but I still ended the day with 31,000 steps.

Our final day in Paris was the 15th of August, our sons’ anniversary. We

retrieved our rental car from a very expensive underground garage where it stayed while we were counting our steps around the city, and headed to Versailles for the day. We’d learned our lesson and arrived an hour before it opened. The line wound up and down the palace courtyard where the nicest of carriages used to park but we only waited just over an hour. We toured the Palace and enjoyed sandwiches in the incredible gardens where Angelina’s food stands were conveniently located. The gardens and the Grand and Petit Trianons, as well as Marie Antoinette’s hamlet, were included in our tickets. We spent the entire day and 18,385 steps in the gilded rooms and grand gardens of Versailles. We were fortunate to see the fountains come on in the groves, hidden by walls of greenery really magical. Vive la révolution.

Now that we’ve experienced Paris’s major attractions, we can return to the city and visit the quieter places we didn’t have time to see. On that list is the Rodin Museum and the L’Orangerie.

We can people watch at cafes because we already did the Eiffel Tower. And next time, I’m going to sit in the Tuileries, sip wine and sketch the flowers and fountains all afternoon.

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Real Estate Investments Yield Real Tax Advantages

R

by Mike Cabrerra photos Vincent Pearson Photography

eal estate investment can be a lucrative endeavor from both an economic and tax perspective.

Steve Newman and Nick Fanous, partners at Newman & Company CPAs, have guided clients through the real estate life cycle to realize a favorable result for these types of investments.

“A number of advantageous tax rules apply to real estate transactions,” Steve explains. “I like to think of this business model in terms of a life cycle. Some of our clients have begun investing in real estate as a consequence of owning a

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business and needing a space in which to house that business. They buy a building and then enjoy a lot of control over the maintenance and other uses of the property.” Steve points out that the building asset is also a good way to build value in the business.

Another stop in the real estate investing life cycle involves selling or exchanging for another property. “If you sell a piece of property to buy another property, you might have to pay taxes on the profits of that sale. A large profit from the sale could be very taxing,” says Steve, using

classic accountant humor. “However, if structured properly, you can exchange the properties and there won’t be tax currently due on selling your initial real estate investment. This ‘like-kindexchange’ is a powerful tool for the real estate investor but requires precise planning to execute properly.”

Some Newman & Company clients invest to hold property and lease residential units or commercial properties for office or retail space. “If you’re buying a building to ‘hold,’ the tax code allows for a depreciation expense deduction on the

Nick Fanous and Steve Newman

building portion of the property,” Steve adds. “You can still maintain a good positive cash flow from the investment but you might not have a taxable profit due to the depreciation. Eventually, upon sale the investor may owe tax on the gain, but that’s a good situation to be in.”

New for 2018, is the §199A qualified business income deduction. Nick explains its importance, “When the real estate investment produces a taxable profit, the tax payer is now entitled to a 20% deduction from this income as a result of the new tax law. This additional benefit will certainly provide another incentive

for this type of investment activity.”

A final stop in the life cycle could be the passing of the real estate investor.

The tax law allows the decedent’s beneficiary to inherit the investment and be treated as though they purchased this property themselves. This avoids having the beneficiaries lose precious tax advantages which would have been available to the original investor.

These tax benefits can become complicated and can require precise timing. Knowing how to navigate this favorable tax labyrinth is not easy. Steve

and Nick see themselves as guides to help navigate their clients through the labyrinth.

Call Steve or Nick to schedule a consultation if you currently own property or are considering the benefits of such an investment. They will guide you through this complicated and rewarding investment journey.

Newman & Company 1801 East 9th Street 216.781.6106 newmancpas.com

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