Fine lifestyles magazine spring edition 2017 by Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

FineLifestyles CLEVELAND

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1 PRICELESS

Bill Dysert: Helping Cleveland Exscape in Their Own Back Yard

Shaker Pack Walk: Join the Puppy Parade Open Doors Academy: Success is Closer Than You Think Featuring Local Businesses for Your Springtime Needs

Looking For a New Jeweler? Jackson Grey is Here for You

Chad Verhoff - Custom Jeweler

•Jeweler Owned and Operated •Diamonds •Custom Design •Repair 516 East Washington St. Chagrin Falls, Ohio 440-247-5600 jackson-grey-jewelers.com 3 Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

FIRST WORD

FineLifestyles

CLEVELAND

With Fine Lifestyles editor PATTI LONDON

Fine Lifestyles Magazine 2017 Volume 5 Issue 1 Publisher Marc London marc@finelifestylesmagazine.com Editor Patti London

e hear from some of our readers that this magazine can land on the kitchen counter or coffee table and remain there for weeks, sometimes months. This has proven fortunate where, for example, the name of a jeweler or a tree service wasn’t what the reader was looking for when the magazine arrived, but came in handy after grandma’s bracelet broke or the storm came through and damaged the maple. We can never know what life has in store, but Fine Lifestyles Magazine aspires to be a resource when you need answers or information. These pages are filled with local businesses putting their passions into practice. Our cover story about Exscape Designs is the perfect example. Perhaps you’ve wondered what to do with that empty space in the backyard for years. You now have a source to help you explore your options. We have featured a total of nine different restaurants in this issue. When you’re trying to plan a dinner with friends, just flip through the pages and decide which place looks most appetizing - you just might discover a favorite new spot. There are many other suggestions for entertainment and potential springtime projects in the following pages. We hope this magazine provides plenty of new ideas and the answers to questions you’ve been hoping to find. Enjoy.

Staff Writers Dylan Yépez Meg Pauken Kristal Pettit Janine Purcell Graphic Design and Layout Marlon Tussel Cover Art Vincent Pearson Photography Photography Vincent Pearson Photography Aaron Leyser Advertising Consultants Marlon Tussel 216.548.6292 marlon@finelifestylesmagazine.com Marc London 216.926.3449 marc@finelifestylesmagazine.com Bruce McAllister 216.759.1856 Distribution: marc@finelifestylesmagazine.com Cover: Bill Dysert - Exscape Designs

Fine Lifestyles Cleveland ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Marlon Tussel 216-548-6292

Marc London 216-926-3449

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Bruce McAllister 216-759-1856

@FLScle

We reserve the right to edit any materials chosen for publication including photographs. We reserve the right to reject or accept any article, photograph, image or advertisement. All contents of FineLifestyles Inc, publications are copyrighted 2015 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.

CHESTNUT HILL HOME

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LIGHTING

WEDDING

ACCESSORIES

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CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS STYLE.......................................................8 HEALTH & WELLNESS........................ 12 ARTS, DINING & ENTERTAINMENT...... 21 HOUSE & HOME................................... 41 RECREATION & TRAVEL....................... 76 BUSINESS.............................................80

FEATURES

DANCECleveland.........................................8 Shaker Pack Walk...................................... 12 Open Doors Academy............................. 18 Calendar of Events.................................... 21 Cookbooks to Collect............................ 40 COVER STORY:

Exscape Design: Creating Outdoor Oases............42 The Perkins Wildlife Center..................46 TRAVEL: Andes Adventure.................. 76

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Don’t Let Foot Pain Stop You in Your Tracks • Complete Family Foot Care • Fractures & Sprains • Arthritis of Foot • Athletic Injuries • Bone Spurs • Bunions, Corns & Callouses • Diabetic Foot Care • Fungus Toenails & Other Toenail Injuries • Heel Spurs • Orthotics • Plantar Fasciitis • Tendonitis • Preventative Foot Care

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You Too Can Become an Aficionado of Modern Dance by Patti London photos courtesy DANCECleveland

or some, modern dance seems incomprehensible. It lacks the disciplined format of ballet, really avoiding any easily recognizable structure. But that can also be the basis of its beauty. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a freedom from rigid categories and definition that defines this art form. It can then embrace many styles

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of choreography and movement under its umbrella. As early as 1956, modern dance had support in Cleveland. Dancers attending a master class taught by Getrude Schurr, a dancer from the pioneering Martha Graham Dance Company, recognized the need to establish a home for the fledgling

art form. At first the group, calling themselves the Cleveland Modern Dance Association, held classes in a tiny church. Within weeks of their formation the new organization co-sponsored a workshop with the Cleveland Institute of Music and Karamu House given by the great modern dance choreographer, Jose Limon. Within

a year they presented their first dance performance: the Frankel-Ryder Dance Company of New York. One of the original members of the association, Miriam Glazer, is on the Board of Trustees of DANCECleveland today. As DANCECleveland prepares for its 62nd season, it looks back on a significant history where its influence on modern dance has been substantial. More than 200 national and international dance companies have performed over the course of that history. More than a thousand workshops and master classes have been given and seven commissioned new works have been performed. As only one of a handful of presenters in the nation dedicated solely to the presentation of modern and contemporary dance, DANCECleveland continues to curate a dance series which brings world-renowned dance companies to northeast Ohio. If you didn’t attend dance classes growing up or haven’t otherwise been exposed to modern or contemporary dance, it may seem difficult to understand or appreciate. It’s Sarah Hricko’s job to change that perception. Sarah is the marketing manager for DANCECleveland. “The hardest thing is getting someone in

the theater at least once,” she explains. “Sometimes what attracts someone is a familiar piece of music or a piece of visual art that a potential audience member recognizes. We just presented the Ballet Biarritz performance of Cinderella. That’s a story line the audience knows, so it could provide just the spark of recognition that allows them access to the performance.” “Sometimes it takes more than one time to become an admirer of modern dance,” Sarah suggests. “If one performance doesn’t appeal to you, maybe it’s too balletic, the next dance company we present may totally engage you with an athletic hip-hop inspired performance.” DANCECleveland strives to present companies representative of the wide array of movement styles within contemporary dance. “Modern dance can take so many different forms - Paul Taylor can look so different from Che Malambo in terms of movement styles,” Sarah explains. “We’re fortunate to be able to access photos and video of so many dance companies, allowing today’s audience to find a performance they’re sure to enjoy.” DANCECleveland takes its mission to promote the modern dance art form

seriously. The Ohio Theater at Playhouse Square, where many of the performances take place, is small, just under 1,000 seats, so the audience doesn’t miss a thing. The ticket prices are accessible and promo codes and group rates make them even more affordable. Next season’s subscription packages are currently available. Nine renowned dance companies are coming, including the classic modern dance favorite, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and the Argentinian stomping cowboys, Che Malambo, making their Ohio debut. New this year is the exciting American Dance Festival coming July 29th - August 5th. Modern dance can be an amazing expression of the range of human emotion and the incredible ability of the body. Approached with an open mind, the experience of a single performance can inspire you to keep coming back for more. To learn about the upcoming 201718 season visit dancecleveland.org.

DANCECleveland 216.991.9000 dancecleveland.org

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Safely Store Your Clothes for the Season & Protect Your Investment By Dylan Yépez Photos Aaron Leyser

t’s been a long, cold and salty winter here in Cleveland. Your boots and pants hems are probably sporting a nice layer of white around the edges. Your coat has picked up its share from brushing up against the car everyday for the last three months. Before storing your coats and clothes, have London Cleaners pick them up and dry-clean them for the season.

Alex Shvartshteyn is a third-generation custom tailor, who spent years making and altering garments. Thirty years ago, he decided to channel his thorough understanding of fabrics and clothing into the processes that keep them clean. Alex purchased London Cleaners in 1984 and transformed it into a 100 percent door-todoor dry-cleaning service that can handle any type of clothing and serves Northeast Ohio, from Chardon to Avon Lake and into northern Akron and Medina.

Cleaners, spoke with us about the best methods of cleaning our garments before putting them away for the season. Salt is highly corrosive and can discolor the fabric. Even dust and dirt that is not cleaned out will settle in and can ruin the fabric. Terri explains that some stains deoxidize, similar to after taking a bite out of an apple. You set the apple down and it turns brown. It’s the same process with your clothing pieces which have not been properly cleaned.

Terri, the plant manager at London

Even a little bit of salt left on a garment

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can ruin the fabric’s color. It’s difficult to wash salt out thoroughly with water. Dry cleaning is the only way to safely remove salt without leaving a damaging residue on the fabric. Fabrics stained by sugars or milk-based products can attract moths putting all of your clothing at risk. Perfumes can also cause discoloration if not cleaned out of the fabric and colors can not be put back into our clothes. Another storage nightmare Terri warns us about is using plastic bags or containers to store clothing items. When your drycleaned garments are delivered to your house they should be taken out of the plastic bags.

And don’t forget to clean your Uggs and boots before you put them away until next winter. Proper care both during and between seasons will maintain the investment you’ve made in your clothing. “We’ll Take It From Here” is the London Cleaners’ motto — and these full-service dry cleaners stick to it. “We’re the only company that does exclusively door-todoor, and we’ve perfected the service,” Alex says. Customers can schedule regular service to have London Cleaners routinely stop by their homes or offices, or they can simply call, or email, on an as-needed basis. Nobody needs to be home, so the service is completely hands-off and convenient. Beyond convenience, though, London

Cleaners maintains a level of dry-cleaning service attainable only through decades of experience. From cleaning to preservation and storage, let the experts at London Cleaners take the guesswork out of garment care. Visit londoncleaners. com to explore the services offered, and call 800.832.1222 or local number 440.283.0200 to get started today.

London Cleaners 800.832.1222 440.283.0200 londoncleaners.com

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Chris Ramsay and Keith Vaquera-Little

Experience the Pack Walk Promenade with Your Pup by Patti London photos courtesy The Shaker Pack Walk

trolling around the neighborhood with your dog can be a pleasant way to enjoy the seasons, socialize with your neighbors and enjoy your pet’s company. Unless your dog requires constant attention to keep him or her from lunging and barking at every dog, person and squirrel in sight. That behavior seriously diminishes the pleasure and turns a stroll into a struggle. Across the country dog owners have come together to practice positive walking skills. These pack walks are an excellent way for dogs to become desensitized to the exciting presence of other dogs. The dogs learn to regulate their need to meet the other animals, so that they can enjoy a walk with their owner without embarrassing lunging and

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barking. Keith Vaquera-Little, a certified dog trainer and founder of Sirius Strides Dog Training, started a pack walk at Horsehoe Lake in Shaker Heights to create a safe, structured environment where people could work through issues with their dogs. “I started with a few clients who had fearful dogs but there was nowhere to go where they could work on that fear,” Keith explains. At ten o’clock on Saturday mornings you’ll find a group of dogs arranging themselves loosely in a large circle off of South Park Blvd, roughly half way between Attleboro and Lee Roads. The dogs wearing red bandanas around their necks are letting others know, “Hey, I’m excitable and

need a little more space.” Keith is there to meet people and their dogs, along with Chris Ramsay, owner of the Shaker Hound Academy. After a short introduction, Keith or Chris will indicate several dogs to start off. The rest of the pack follows in a single file. Dogs do not physically interact with each other at any time, teaching them that there is a time for play and a time for walking without the expectation of interacting. Keith encourages the dog owners to use whatever training tools they find work for them. There’s no judgment if your dog wears a prong collar or an E collar. “From the beginning I wanted the walk to be inclusive. The important thing is that the owners come and work with their dogs. We’re working together as a group,

regardless of training style.” Retractable leashes are not permitted, however. The dogs must be maintained close to their owners throughout the walk and these don’t allow you to have enough control. Many walkers bring water for their pets, as the walks last about an hour around the lake and it can get warm. There are several rest stops along the way where the dogs can rehydrate but also learn to sit or lay down and relax in the presence of other dogs. Bags for cleaning up after your pet are also necessary. During the hour-long excursion, Keith and Chris will direct several exercises to increase the dogs’ ability to be in control in proximity to each other. “In the beginning it started off just as a walk. But we’ve been

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able to push the dogs much farther than I imagined,” Keith notes. “People have been so responsive and ready to work on issues like hyperactivity and the exercises really help fearful dogs gain confidence. The young dogs come to socialize. Even without interacting physically, the dogs are communicating with each other.” One exercise has dogs and owners walking in a long elliptical loop past one another. As a loop is completed, Keith will shorten the elliptical, creating a shorter distance between dogs. More elaborate variations on this exercise include circles of walkers, one circle inside another, one moving clockwise, the other counter-clockwise. In this exercise, the dogs experience walking past a number of dogs, while still behind one dog and in front of another. Once your dog becomes accustomed to the pack walk experience, encountering a dog walking on the opposite side of the street during your daily walk will hardly generate a reaction. Another benefit is how much energy your dog will expend on the pack walk. Psychologically exhausted, your dog will be ready for a relaxing afternoon.

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Marc and I began taking our rescue dog, Sammy, to the pack walks about a year ago after a friend told us about it. I was discouraged by Sammy’s conduct on the first walks, to put it mildly. He was about eight months old and already strong enough that I felt exhausted trying to keep him under control for an hour. Marc has rarely missed a pack walk with Sammy since we began and he’s now one of the pack walk veterans. Our walks through the neighborhood are nearly always pleasant, with the exception of some deer encounters and the occasional squirrel surprise. Without the opportunity to practice walking politely with other dogs, I don’t know how Sammy would have mastered the art of strolling. Joining the pack walk on Saturday mornings is free. The walk will remain free but Chris and Keith are working on a charitable project where pack walk participants can feel free to make donations to animal-centered community charities through a go fund me account. Join the Shaker Pack Walk group on Facebook for updates and plenty of adorable dog pics. See you and your furry friend next Saturday!

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Before You Succumb to Surgery, Consider Decompression Therapy by Dylan YĂŠpez photos Aaron Leyser

ain, numbness or weakness in your lower back or a limb may be symptomatic of a problem often treated by surgery. For spinal conditions such as disc protrusions, pinched nerves or sciatica, surgery is a double whammy: it costs tens of thousands of dollars, and often fails to correct the ailment. These ailments, however, can frequently be

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addressed through non-invasive spinal decompression therapy. Decompression therapy is a nonsurgical alternative treatment that is effective and painless. In fact, research places the effectiveness of this therapy between 86 and 93 percent; surgery, on the other hand, yields an estimated success rate of between 20 and 50 percent â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and it costs about onetenth the price of surgery.

Nearly 15 years ago, Dr. John Livingston began using spinal decompression therapy for his patients with spinal disc problems. The treatment was so successful that Dr. Livingston continues to use it to treat a variety of spinal issues in the back and neck, such as disc protrusions, herniations, and bulges, as well as conditions including pinched nerves and sciatica.

Dr. John Livingston

Dr. Livingston is a third-generation chiropractic physician who has been in practice for 20 years. He and his partners at Livingston Chiropractic Center take a holistic approach to health care, to identify and address the causes of pain, rather than masking the symptoms. Beyond cost and efficacy, decompression therapy provides a plethora of benefits over surgical alternatives like trimming the affected disc or cutting open the spine to remove the disc. Decompression therapy is simple, easy, and even relaxing. The therapy requires the patient to lie horizontally on the table-like decompression machine, while it provides gentle, intermittent, angled traction to the affected area of the spine. This gentle traction separates the vertebrae around the protruded disc, creating a vacuum-like effect that draws the disc away from the spinal nerve and back where it belongs. “It’s quick and easy,” Dr. Livingston says. “A lot of people actually fall asleep.” This therapy is noninvasive, painless, and gradual in nature. It incrementally moves the disc back into place over four to eight weeks of treatment, depending on how significant the protrusion is. “Much like orthodontics moves the teeth slowly into place with time and pressure,” Dr. Livingston explains, “decompression

therapy moves the discs slowly with time and pressure.” Because spinal decompression therapy is painless, it doesn’t involve cortisone injections or any other dangerous or addictive medications. Patients also experience significantly shorter recovery times than those following surgery. Dr. Livingston administers decompression therapy with adjunctive treatments, which help to keep the disc in the right place, and nutritional counseling to promote his patients’ recovery and overall health. “That’s almost as important as the treatment itself,” Dr. Livingston explains. If you experience pain, numbness, or weakness in your back or neck, or pain traveling down your arms or legs, this may indicate a problem that can be addressed through spinal decompression therapy. For more information, visit jkldc. com, or call 440.528.0005. Livingston Chiropractic Center is located at 25111 Miles Road, Suite D, near the intersection of Miles and Richmond roads in Warrensville Heights. Livingston Chiropractic Center 25111 Miles Road, Suite D 440.528.0005 drjklii@hotmail.com jkldc.com

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Open Doors Academy: Opening Doors to Opportunity by Patti London photos courtesy Open Doors Academy

esearch focusing on the â&#x20AC;&#x153;brain drainâ&#x20AC;? in rustbelt cities bemoans the flight of college-educated locals to the bigger, brighter urban centers. A number of local organizations are focused on the very real brain drain we as a community experience when our lower-income youth fail to reach their potential. The success of one of those organizations, Open Doors Academy, is something to applaud and support.

Open Doors Academy, or ODA, offers year round enrichment programming, after school and during the summer, in a safe and structured environment. Over the last two decades, ODA has grown to 13 locations in Cleveland and the innerring suburbs, 10 in middle schools and three in high schools. Their graduation and post-secondary education statistics indicate a proven formula for success. Students who participate in Open Doors

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Academy for three or more years have a 100% high school graduation rate. This is an astounding statistic. But wait - 97% have gone on to post-secondary education at a college or trade school. ODA alumni are currently present at Harvard, Purdue, Cornell, Ohio State, and Columbia, among many others. The ODA model for middle school enrichment programming includes four

key elements: character development, health and wellness, arts and culture, and global social education. Through the school year Open Doors Academy operates from 2:30 - 6:00 Monday through Friday. Their goal is to address developmental barriers that inhibit the learning process, provide youth with a safe environment to explore their own interests, and open doors to opportunities that otherwise would not be available. The opportunity gap based on family income is well documented. Families making less than $20,000 a year spend an average of 1.5% of their income on education opportunities, or about $300, according to a U.S. Department of Labor Statistics study from 2012. Families who bring in $150,00 or more annually spend 4.4% or $6,600 on educational opportunities like after-school clubs and organizations, sports programs, travel, summer camps, coaching and tutoring. “Of course, we can’t duplicate all opportunities for everyone,” says Annemarie M. Grassi, the CEO of Open Doors Academy. “But we can give challenged youth a leg up by offering long-term, family-inclusive academic and character development programming, in partnership with schools and existing community services. If we set a high bar for youth and families, and deliver solid, evidence-based programming, we can realize better results than schools can acting alone.”

Frolic, will be held at the House of Blues on May 6th. Check with your employer to see if it offers a matching charitable gift program so that your donation can be doubled. As a volunteer opportunity, I was able to speak with kids at the Urban Community School and the Roxboro Middle School last year about my job as a public defender. They were looking at legal careers and had some great questions for me. This past holiday our family sponsored an ODA family for Christmas. We chose what size family we were comfortable sponsoring and around Thanksgiving we were given a list of family members with clothing sizes and a wish list. Christmas shopping was never so meaningful for us. Open Doors Academy plans to expand to additional sites over the next five years. A dozen schools, however, are currently on the waiting list to launch ODA programming at their facilities. This expansion of a proven model for maximizing opportunities can only happen with the financial support and involvement of our community. Let’s not lose the amazing potential of another mind to the brain drain.

Open Doors Academy 1427 East 36th Street, Suite 4206A 216.229.1900 opendoorsacademy.org

To maintain the momentum started in middle school, ODA prepares high school scholars for life after graduation. Programming consists of bi-weekly academic tutoring, opportunities for volunteering in the community, paid summer internships, weekly evening apprenticeships focused on developing 21st century work skills, college tours, national service learning trips, and individual mentoring and support. Each student is expected to complete 75 hours of community service a year, maintain a minimum of a 2.8 GPA, and meet with their mentor at least once a month to establish both short-term and long-term goals targeted towards their career path. There are plenty of opportunities to help Open Doors Academy accomplish their mission to protect, inspire, nurture and challenge adolescents to reach their full potential. Their 6th annual benefit, The

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Come Visit Noceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Newest Location N

oce Gourmet Pizzeria has opened its second location in Beachwood, located in Corporate Park of Beachwood off of Richmond Road. Primarily takeout, this new location also has 10 counter window seats. Noce pizzas can best be described as a combination of the New York and West Coast styles, baked in a brick lined oven, allowing the baguette like crust to support a generous array of fresh and locally sourced toppings. The Cleveland Plain Dealer named Noce the best tasting pizza in northeast Ohio in 2014. A wide variety of slices are available daily, as well as their 24 creative pizzas. The pizzas are divided into four categories: traditional, veggie, meat and seafood. Options abound for vegetarian and vegan pizzas. Noce also features five signature salads, homemade dressings and a daily fresh soup. Many of their ingredients are sourced from local farmers and producers here in northeast Ohio. Eat local, eat Noce. 3365 Richmond Road, Beachwood Suite 225 216.508.4125 125 Main Street, Chardon 440.279.0303 nocegourmetpizza.com

Tremont location to open in mid-Spring!

Experience the Wonder of Giving Back

t Vincent Pearson Fine Art Portrait Design we personalize your home or office decor with portraiture, enhancing the enjoyment of those who live or work there. We relish the success weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve experienced producing portraiture and we are passionate about giving back. With this in mind, we are happy to announce that we intend to donate $150,000 of goods, services and cash to local charities by the end of 2017. This will be an incredible journey during which we plan to meet extraordinary people doing lifechanging work to make the world a better place. To celebrate, we are offering ten $500 gift certificates to the first ten people who want to kick off Spring 2017 by donating $99 to the charity of your choice. Contact us via our website or email to join us on this journey and experience the wonder of giving back. Vincent Pearson Fine Art Portrait Design 216.385.5452 PearsonArtisticPhotography1.com Pearsonap@aol.com

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events

CLEVELAND

THROUGH JULY 9 Amazing Species: Life at the Limits Cleveland Museum of Natural History

APRIL / MAY / JUNE

APRIL 15-20 FREAKY FRIDAY Allen Theater Cleveland Play House APRIL 30 - AUGUST 6 Brand-New & Terrific: Alex Katz in the 1950s Cleveland Museum of Art MAY 6 The Frolic Open Doors Academy 6th Annual Benefit House of Blues MAY 18 Meat Puppets Beachland Ballroom

MAY 19 Chance the Rapper Blossom Music Center JUNE 2 & 3 Malpaso Dance Company DANCECleveland Ohio Theater Playhouse Square

JUNE 9 - 11 Cleveland Indians v. White Sox Progressive Field JUNE 10 Parade the Circle Wade Oval University Circle

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Erin Seedes, Bridget Thibeault, Amalia Ackerman

All the Pleasures of a European Bakery and Cafe - Just Closer by Kristal Pettit photos Aaron Leyser

he Danish concept of hygge, pronounced “hoo-gah,” is gaining international attention. Part of the Danish national character, the idea is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as the kind of “coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” The hygge factor is met head on at Luna Bakery & Café, the lightfilled café in the historic Cedar Fairmount

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neighborhood of Cleveland Heights. The intoxicating smell of crepes and croissants mixes with the cozy murmur of conversations to create an atmosphere of pure contentment and well-being. Luna began in a smaller space six years ago, started by pastry chef Bridget Thibeault. At the time she owned Flour Girl, where she was producing masterful cake creations. She was approached by

John Emerman and Tatyana Rehn of the Stone Oven Bakery & Café with the idea of opening a European-style pastry shop and café. It became quickly apparent that 15 seats and a patio were insufficient for the many patrons who appreciated the scratch-made baked croissants, tarts, macaron and other indulgences. Luna has since added another 60 seats, but maintained the original intimate atmosphere.

“So many think we’re only a bakery but we’re really more of a restaurant style café,” Bridget explains. “We offer healthy options like salads and soups which are vegetarian, scratch-made and gluten free. I always stress to my health conscious friends that pastries made from all natural ingredients without preservatives are part of a balanced healthy lifestyle.” Bridget notes, “All items on our menu are made daily from as many locally sourced, seasonal ingredients as we can find.” Luna is known for their crepes, both savory and sweet. For breakfast, beyond pastry, they offer several egg dishes, greek yogurt parfaits and avocado toast. Their grilled panini sandwiches are made on freshly baked Stone Oven bread.

have to travel to Paris or Amsterdam to experience the cozy comfort of hygge. You’ll find Bridget and her entire staff creating hygge in Cleveland Heights through the lovely sights and sounds, the warm smells and tastes of breakfast, lunch or dinner at Luna Bakery & Café, open weekdays from 7am - 7pm and weekends 8 am - 5 pm. Look for extended hours this summer. Luna Bakery & Café 2482 Fairmount Blvd, Cleveland Hts 216.231.8585 lunabakerycafe.com

@LunaCakeShop Luna Bakery Cafe

Luna also caters breakfast and lunch, box lunches and pastry trays, both on and offsite, for office events and family functions. Gift boxes with French macaron, handdecorated sugar cookies and delectable cupcakes are a brilliant addition to a bridal or baby shower, or a mini-pastry table will guarantee a memorable event. Bridget has continued the custom cake creation she began with Flour Girl, next door to the bakery and café in the Cake Shop. “Our cakes, fillings and frostings are all made from scratch and include real ingredients in each layer,” Bridget describes proudly. “Annalisa DiGiantonio and Brynn Keefe run the day to day operations in the cake shop. They both have backgrounds in the arts and bring that creative inspiration to our custom, designer cakes at Luna Bakery.” Any custom cake designed by this team is going to be a centerpiece to your event. Bridget has managed to attract an entire staff of creatives, from interior design to theater to music, to preside over the bakery and café. Executive Pastry Chef, Michelle Hritz is responsible for the distinctive cupcakes and daily pastry decorating, while Ernesto Camargo begins his day before sunrise, baking the croissants, scones, muffins, cookies and breads. Justin Jarrett, crepe-maker extraordinaire, supervises the food station and has been with Luna since the beginning. Bridget mentions, “We sell over 100 macaron a day and 200 a day on the weekends. European customers have come up to me and said this is better than what I’ve had in Paris.” You don’t

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Melt Bar & Grilled:

Try it Again for the First Time by Meg Pauken photos Aaron Leyser and courtesy Melt Bar and Grilled

ho ever thought a restaurant centered on something as humble as a grilled cheese sandwich and a beer could be so successful? Matt Fish did. Just ask him about it. Long before the first Melt location opened in Lakewood, Matt Fish, the restaurant’s

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founder, had been testing recipes and working on a plan for a bar/ restaurant. It had been a longtime dream of his to open his own restaurant, but it had to be unique. And fun. Someplace he and his friends would want to hang out. It had to have great craft beer and excellent, yet unpretentious food. Thus, Melt was born. The idea for a grilled cheese restaurant was no accident. Matt explains, “It’s different than anything any other restaurant was doing, yet it’s familiar to people. It’s nostalgic, even though at Melt, we take it to the next level. It’s

culinary, but humble.” Originally, the food was meant to function as an accompaniment to the craft beers he planned to feature, but it didn’t take long for Matt’s creations to become the star of the show. Over the past ten years, the menu has stayed largely the same, although the recipes have been refined and tweaked here and there. “We are using the best bread we’ve ever had,” Matt says, “and we have learned as we have grown. We have upgraded a lot of the ingredients and the flavor profiles have evolved.” Matt is proud to have been a part of Lakewood’s restaurant renaissance. Since Melt opened there in 2006, a number of other dining spots have opened nearby,

creating a unique culinary destination on the near west side. Cleveland as a whole, he notes, is a great “food” city, with lots of chef-driven restaurants and “niche-y,” fun spots, Melt included. By 2010, Melt was so popular that it had expanded as much as it could in its original location. Rather than move, Matt elected to open a second location in a similar urban, artsy neighborhood: Cleveland Heights. A third location, in Independence, soon followed. The chain now has seven full service locations and three “satellite” locations: at Progressive Field, on Public Square, and at CWRU. Each location has been designed to have the familiar Melt “experience”: an eclectic, hip, and fun atmosphere, with the same familyfriendly menu. A wide selection craft beers and custom cocktails complement happy-hour specials and the regular and seasonal menu items. Melt also offers a children’s menu with smaller sizes of a few favorites

and several other kid-friendly choices. Tuesday evenings are perfect for a family night out, since all kids’ meals are $2. Melt is an ideal spot to meet friends, with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options alongside the “meatier” choices, to please everyone. Visit a Melt Bar & Grilled near your neighborhood, no matter which side of the river you call home. For menu details, specials and locations, visit the Melt’s website: meltbarandgrilled.com

Melt Bar & Grilled Lakewood 216.226.3699 Cleveland Heights 216.965.0988 Independence 216.520.1415 Mentor 440.530.3770 meltbarandgrilled.com

Matt Fish - Founder Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Traditional Mexican Cuisine in a Festive Setting

R Ricardo Leon

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

by Meg Pauken photos Aaron Leyser

icardo Leon and his family welcomed their first guests at SeĂąorita Bonitas in 2004, not long after they decided to make northeast Ohio their permanent home. From the very beginning, they have emphasized traditional recipes, fresh ingredients, and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

to the table when he opened SeĂąorita Bonitas, and it shows. Every detail, from the colorful decor, to the furnishings, to the menu, has been carefully thought out to provide a complete, festive experience. In addition to the main dining room, decorated with murals and paintings in bright, cheerful colors, there is a cantina/ sports bar and patio.

Leon, a native of Guadalajara, brought twenty years of restaurant experience

The cantina is the perfect place to gather with friends to watch a game and enjoy

a variety of local and imported beers, margaritas, sangria, or over 50 specialty tequilas. Abundant seating and easy viewing of the televisions will make it a favorite destination for “guys night out.” As soon as northeast Ohio’s beautiful spring weather arrives, the patio will be open for dining, which offers a lovely spot to relax with a drink and a meal, in a casual, romantic setting. Señorita Bonitas’ menu offers a wide variety of traditional Mexican favorites. In addition to appetizer favorites such as guacamole and queso fundido, you will find ceviche made with fresh fish and lime juice, and the popular seafood dip. Entrees include meat, fish, and chicken options, along with a selection of vegetarian choices, including several meal-sized salads. Patron favorites include the new Pollo Al Carbon, a limemarinated chicken breast, grilled and served on a bed of Spanish rice, with black beans, corn, and avocado. For those with trouble choosing, or especially hearty appetites, there are a variety of combination plates including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, chile relleños, and burritos. A nice selection of desserts is offered, including a traditional flan. Senorita Bonitas also offers a children’s menu, which includes both Mexican and American options. Children will enjoy the colorful décor and charming artwork in

the main dining room. The restaurant does a big lunch business, as it is located near a number of businesses and office parks. An entirely separate lunch menu offers smaller portions and is designed to allow guests to enjoy their meals within the timing of a typical lunch break. Leon and his family treat customers like honored guests, with sincerely friendly service. The casual ambiance and variety of menu options makes Señorita Bonitas an ideal spot to dine as a family or to meet friends. All menu items are available for take-out, if you prefer to dine at home. Conveniently located in Solon, the restaurant is an easy dinner spot before or after a movie at the nearby Solon Digiplex. Enjoy a meal at Señorita Bonitas for your next casual date or family outing. Located at 6000 Enterprise Parkway in Solon. Call 440.498.1067 or check out Senorita Bonitas website to see the full menu: senoritabonitasofsolon.com.

Señorita Bonitas 6000 Enterprise Parkway, Solon 440.498.1067 senoritabonitasofsolon.com

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Geraci’s : All the Comforts of Casual Italian Cooking by Janine Purcell photos Aaron Leyser

rances and Michael Geraci opened their restaurant on July 2nd, 1956. Over 60 years later, Geraci’s restaurant, an icon of University Heights, is still family owned and operated, now by the next generation: Marti Geraci and her husband Greg Spoth. Marti remembers the restaurant as home base since she was eight years old. She conspired to escape by going to college and becoming a teacher. Her dad pointed out that she had time to come on over to the restaurant to help out after her classes finished up for the day. Many years later Marti doesn’t think of working at the restaurant as work, but rather as socializing with customers. Many customers are now the fourth generation she knows on a first name basis and have become like family. Geraci’s has been a finalist in the cleveland.com Best of the East for the last 7 years and a frequent winner. They were also featured on The Food Network’s “Diners Drive-Ins & Dives” with Guy Fieri. He noted that Geraci’s is a longtime favorite Cleveland “Italian joint where the same family has been making pizza, meatballs and chicken parmesan for more than 50 years.” Geraci’s is casual Italian dining in the best sense of comfortable, family-centered dining. Their cuisine is based on secret family recipes originating in Sicily going back generations. Generous portions of authentic Italian food keep this destination on many diners’ list of regular spots. Their menu spans extensive offerings and touch all the Italian culinary bases - soups, salads, pizza, pasta, sandwiches and subs, chicken, seafood and veal entrees. And, last but not least, desserts, including the intriguing temptation of Limoncello Truffle. Geraci’s offers some nice options: If your job keeps you on a short leash at lunch time, call ahead with your order. It will be waiting for you when you get there to sit down and eat.

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

The Geraci Family

Keep in mind, Geraci’s can cater meetings and parties - a nice option for successful, carefree entertaining. The parents taught the Geraci kids to be proud of the food at the restaurant and to make sure that customers enjoyed what they cooked. “I love to hear it when people come here first thing after they land at the airport when they come back home to visit. I’m honored and happy that customers think that way about us and our food,” Marti says. The other thing that stands out for her as a restaurant operator is “our wonderful employees, who’ve promoted

our business and stayed with us.” Some started in high school and have stayed into adulthood and are truly part of the Geraci extended family. No credit cards accepted, Geraci’s remains old school when it’s time to settle the check. From all I see, hear and read about this restaurant, it’ll be worth the ATM stop on the drive over for your next Italian meal. Geraci’s 2266 Warrensville Ctr. Road, University Heights 216.371.5643 geracisrestaurant.com

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

The Perfect Blend of Thai Flavors for Happy, Healthy Dining by Kristal Pettit photos Aaron Leyser

egular connoisseurs of Thai food are looking for dishes that prioritize balance, nothing too sweet or too spicy - just a perfect blend of flavors. The owners of Peppermint Thai Cuisine in Pepper Pike understand the fundamental components of Thai cuisine: hot, sour, bitter, sweet and salty. The fine balance of these components in their signature entrees is what sets the Kanegkasikorns’ restaurant apart from others. Sunny and Matt Kanegkasikorn have been creating and serving aromatic noodle dishes, flavorful curry meals and seafood selections together for the past ten years. They met in a Thai restaurant

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in Boston where they were working at the time, although both are originally from Thailand. After marrying and moving to Cleveland, they opened Peppermint Thai Cuisine in 2007. Sunny runs the front of the house, while Matt creates the menu and specials. Sunny and Matt have enhanced the experience of dining in with a sumptuous wood decor and traditional Thai art. “We’ve created a cozy atmosphere,” Sunny says. “It’s comfortable for families, too.” Peppermint Thai is popular with the lunch crowd and groups of four should consider making reservations. If you’re new to Thai food the servers are adept at answering questions and making

“We try to adapt the dishes to American tastes while remaining true to the Thai classics,” Sunny says in describing the way Matt creates their menu. “Our dishes don’t focus on a particular region of Thailand, but cover all the traditional cuisines.”

recommendations. “Several of our servers have worked with us for almost ten years,” Sunny explains. “They’re all very familiar with the ingredients and understand customers’ special tastes and dietary needs.” The menu selections are made with crisp produce and fresh ingredients, including the leanest cuts of meat. MSG is never used. Every dish can be made vegetarian and spice levels can be adjusted to the diner’s preference. “We encourage diners to select their spice levels,” Sunny adds. An array of appetizers could easily serve as dinner. The options range from potsticker dumplings, stuffed with chicken and vegetables, to steamed or fried shumai dumplings, with shrimp and vegetables. Or one can order a deep fried soft-shell crab tempura with a side of summer rolls, made of shrimp, vermicelli and a baby greens salad wrapped in rice paper rolls. Add a cup of hot and sour Tom Yum Goong soup for a complete meal.

Entrees fall into six primary categories: noodles and fried rice dishes, jasmine or brown rice dishes, vegetarian entrees, choice curry selections, main courses from the grill, and a list of signature entrees. In nearly every category the seafood options are plentiful. Freshness is the most important factor for Matt and Sunny. “We have deliveries and pick up fresh ingredients every day,” she explains. Peppermint Thai has a full bar, including cocktails and popular imported Thai beer, like Singha and Chang. They also serve Thai iced tea, bubble tea, and smoothies. Peppermint Thai is in Pepper Pike, centrally located in the Landerwood Plaza. Call 216.464.5432 or view the menu at peppermintthaicuisine.com. Reservations are suggested for parties of four or more. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. weekdays. Dinner hours are 5-9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5-10:00 p.m. Friday, 4-10:00 p.m. Saturday, and 4-9:00 p.m. Sunday.

Peppermint Thai Cuisine 30769 Pinetree Rd, Pepper Pike 216.464.5432 peppermintthaicuisine.com

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

A Little Piece of Italy in Chagrin Falls by Janine Purcell photos Vincent Pearson Photography

ucina Rustica offers up a diverse menu of home-crafted Italian classics and seasonal specials to enliven the restaurant scene in Chagrin Falls. Owner Gino Oppedisano has developed this location over 27 years, first as the East Side Grille, transitioning to the Cucina in 2004. Gino devotes himself to balancing his core Italian offerings with daily specials. Lunch and dinner dishes run the gamut from sandwiches to entrees. Dinner specials offer comfort foods such as Lamb Shank, Osso Bucco and Veal Stew and that rare

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and delectable dish, Duck a l’Orange. The duck is popular with loyal clientele who request it ahead of time when they want to share it with a whole table of dinner guests. For dinner you’ll be tempted by homemade bread, including the option of “garlic nuggets” of bread that go well with a side of red sauce. Homemade pasta and sauces testify to the integrity and quality of wholesome ingredients expertly prepared with care. For the casual diner, Gino’s son, Rocco, skillfully prepares a pizza with right-sized toppings, placed so

you enjoy a subtle combo of flavors with each bite. Come spring and summer time the menu has one or two fresh fish dishes – soft shell or stone crabs when in season, or perhaps halibut, salmon or swordfish. Gino has started smoking pork, trout and salmon, and in the summer that smoker and a barbecue fire up next to the large patio out back. The ambience of Cucina Rustica is Gino’s creation as much as the cuisine, making the restaurant itself as homemade as the food. He built the dining tables and wood

lamp shades in the main dining room. Wine casket and carton accents integrate with the main bar décor. In the cozy back room bar, open late Thursday through Saturday nights, wood beams accent the ceiling courtesy of Gino’s carpentry skills. The outdoor pergolas for the entrance and patio further reflect his woodworking passion and talent. Gino and his son Rocco are joined by Rocco’s fiancée, Maria, who masterminds the dessert menu. Maria’s cakes attract a strong following – whole cakes to take home for special occasions are becoming a force of their own. This Christmas one customer purchased five pistachio cakes for holiday entertaining. Cannoli, a generous array beautifully plated with a sprinkle of chocolate chips, pairs well with a cappuccino as your final course. Cucina Rustica will help you with special occasion entertaining as well. You can host a private event with the choice of two party rooms. The larger one has

accommodated bar mitvahs, showers, birthdays, anniversaries, receptions and full blown weddings of up to 100. You can arrange for a dance floor and set up a band, and arrange for valet parking at a separate side entrance. The smaller party room has its own bar and fireplace for more intimate celebrations of around 4050 guests. Or consider creating a party at home with a catered feast tailored to your event.

Gino and Rocco Oppedisano

For Gino, Rocco and Maria, Cucina Rustica is a lifestyle, not just a business. Customers become family here. One visit and it will become a part of your diningout lifestyle, too.

Cucina Rustica 8575 E Washington St, Chagrin Falls 440.543.4200

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

The Taste Tells the Story of Davis Bakery by Kristal Pettit photos Aaron Leyser and courtesy Davis Bakery

Stuart, Joel and Jay Davis and Matt Martin

t was 1939, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president and the United States was coming out of the Great Depression and trying to stay out of the war in Europe. Meanwhile, in Cleveland Heights, the three Davis brothers were about to make business history. All they had to do was scrape together enough quarters to finance a commercial mixer.

Ben, Julius and Carl Davis began their first bakery on South Taylor Road on a small budget. With a passion for handcrafted baked goods and an acute sense of business, the brothers built their bakery into a thriving success story now carried forward into the second, third and fourth generations of the Davis family. Part of their success can be attributed to the innovative ideas the brothers brought to the baking industry. They were the first bakery to incorporate delicatessens into their retail outlets and they were the first in the country to install ovens in their satellite locations, enabling them to provide hot-from-the-oven products to their customers all over the city.

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

After acquiring two bakery chains in the 1960’s, Davis Bakery counted a total of 39 shops throughout northeast Ohio. As more grocery stores began operating bakeries and increasing the competition for sales of freshly baked goods, the later generations decided to scale back the number of retail outlets to focus on the wholesale aspect of the business. Jay Davis, the grandson of Carl, says, “You can find Davis Bakery goods at many other area businesses like grocery stores, hotels, hospitals and casinos.” Joel, Stu, Jay and Matt Martin, who represents the fourth generation, continue to carry on the Davis Bakery tradition, adhering to the standards set by their pioneering forebears.

The retail operation on Chagrin in Woodmere has its dedicated followers. The newly opened dining area seats up to 50 people, and to celebrate the expanded seating, Davis has also expanded their breakfast menu to include popular items like thick-cut challah French toast, a lox platter and scrambled eggs. The dining area can be leased for private events. Enjoy your breakfast or lunch al fresco on their outdoor patio later this spring. For the lunch crowd, the deli provides a fast and flavorful option. Each weekday features a sandwich special: turkey, corned beef, tuna salad, hot pastrami or kosher soft salami - Monday through Friday. If you’re responsible for bringing in

lunch at the office, Davis will make your job easy with boxed lunches for the group. They’ll even deliver. In fact, they’ll deliver Davis Bakery anywhere in the U.S. - just check out the e-commerce section on their website to have coconut bars sent to your kids away at college or your parents in Boca. Order party or pastry trays for any event, at home or the office. Davis Bakery’s meat or dairy trays are a welcome addition at the holidays or other family functions. A cookie tray or tray of fancy pastries is always a nice way of expressing heartfelt good wishes at graduations, baby showers and house warmings. If you have a wedding, bar or bat mitzvah, or milestone birthday coming up, make an appointment with one of the specialists at Davis to design the perfect cake for your occasion. If you need a tray in a hurry, don’t worry. Jay Davis assures, “We take last minute orders for family functions or meetings.”

“It means a lot to be there for important life events in our customers’ families. But it also means just as much to be there for our regulars at lunch or to provide the perfect place to socialize over morning coffee and a pastry with your friends,” Jay confesses. “We hear from customers so often, ‘You guys have the best staff, they remember me and just start making my usual order.’ Our motto is ‘the taste tells the story.’ It’s always uppermost in our minds that we’re carrying a legacy forward. We’re responsible for maintaining the rigorous standards held by our predecessors for the last 75 years.” A lot has changed since 1939, but Davis Bakery’s delectable Russian tea biscuits thankfully remain the same. Davis Bakery 28700 Chagrin Blvd, Woodmere 216.292.3060 davisbakery.net

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Food & Fun, Served Locally by Kristal Pettit photos Aaron Leyser

e often encourage readers to spend locally, buy from small businesses and try local dining spots. Granite City Food & Brewery is found in 14 different states but has managed to span the divide between a restaurant chain and a local eatery by brewing their beer onsite, serving other local beers and providing a locally flavored menu. Granite City Food & Brewery began in St. Cloud, Minnesota 18 years ago, hence the Granite City moniker. They’ve now expanded to 36 different restaurants in 14 states, two of which are in Ohio. Our local Granite City is located at Legacy Village in Lyndhurst. Omari Buncum, the general manager at our local Granite City

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explains, “ The consistent theme of all the Granite City locations is fresh cuisine, made from scratch, and award winning hand-crafted micro-brews.” The secret to Granite City Food & Brewery’s signature brews is a patented brewing process which makes replicating the great taste simple and efficient throughout all Granite City Food & Brewery restaurants. The fermentation process is interrupted which allows them to ship a sweet liquid called wort from their central brewing facility to each restaurant. When this liquid reaches the brewery, the fermentation process begins again and the brewing is completed. The onsite brewery is visible to diners in the main dining area and at the bar, creating

a nice local brewery environment while enjoying their pale ale, bock, double IPA, an American style light lager, or the aptly named Broad Axe Stout. Omari encourages diners to try the seasonal brews: a dark wheat, Dunkelweizen, and the traditional Irish Red are currently on tap. A pilsner will be featured in April and in May expect a blueberry lager for Mothers Day. “In April we’re doing a Guest Tap program, featuring 9-10 local and regional breweries, including Great Lakes, Fatheads and Market Garden,” Omari says. Accompanying the first course of beer, Granite City Food & Brewery offers hearty appetizers like wild boar bratwurst sliders or nachos piled with pulled pork braised

in their double IPA, Batch 1000, sriracha queso, corn and black bean salsa and guacamole. Or choose from six styles of flatbread for meat lovers or vegetarians, to start your dining experience. Along with seafood selections, Granite City offers signature entrees, steaks and pastas, burgers and salads. The BTA Grilled Cheese by itself is worth a visit: Havarti and cheddar cheese grilled on a multigrain bread with tomatoes, avocado slices and bacon jam, with the suggested pairing of the Northern, their American style light lager. The menu and restaurant are designed for gatherings of friends and families. There is something for everyone’s taste on the menu and the fireplace is warm and inviting. Omari calls the bar area the “heart beat of the restaurant. It’s the most upbeat, up tempo area. Many of our regulars enjoy the sports bar feel of that area. It’s the perfect place to meet up to watch a Cavs game, or the Browns or Indians. We can take the four screens and merge them into one huge 80+ inch screen.” And remember, there’s also a party room available to reserve for private functions.

local credentials. The restaurant’s Dine 2 Donate program designates 20% of the proceeds on specific nights to local schools and charities. You’ll also find Granite City represented at local festivals such as Taste of Pepper Pike, Taste of Lyndhurst, and Cleveland Oktoberfest, where they won the top award two years ago for their lager, and have placed in the top three for the last two years. Visit your local Granite City Food & Brewery. They’re serving until midnight on Friday and Saturday, until 10 pm Monday – Thursday and until 9 pm on Sunday. The restaurant is open for lunch at 11 am every day except on Sunday, when brunch is served from 10 am until 2 pm.

Granite City Food & Brewery 24519 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst (Legacy Village) 216.297.4495 gcfb.com

Granite City Food & Brewery is invested in the community, further solidifying its

Brian Cosio and Omari Buncum Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

The New Pearl: an Updated Classic by Janine Purcell photos Aaron Leyser

or award-winning Asian cuisine, visit The Pearl, the new incarnation of the former Pearl of the Orient restaurant in Shaker Heights. Serving the community for nearly 40 years, they’ve moved to new quarters in the developing Van Aken District. Rose Wong opened the original restaurant in 1978. A talented artist and designer, she came to Cleveland to design the restaurant and stayed on to become its manager. With the new venue, she’s blending innovation with tradition so that loyal customers can feel at home and all clientele can enjoy a new vibe. The updated menu expands the scope of authentic Chinese dishes. It adds creative, informal small plates inspired by Hong Kong street food. The décor of the original restaurant was on the cutting edge for the late 1970s – the strong use of red and upholstered chairs, for example. Rose is delighted with the updated look her architect, Ron Reed of Westlake Reed and Leskosky, created for the new space. In the new dining areas, jade-colored table tops paired with red chairs and gauze curtains integrate with red walls and velour which pay homage to the original restaurant. Full-height photo murals of the Hong Kong harbor and skyline give the feeling of dining near the water in the famous island city. The 80-seat restaurant is “spacious yet intimate.” The lounge area in the front has table seating in addition to a quartztopped, 14-seat bar area. Two smaller table seating areas in the front and rear let you nestle into a table that suits your mood. If you opt for the front seating alcove, you can enjoy original artwork from Ms. Wong’s graduate fine arts thesis. Rose is proud of the capacity at the new venue to offer a sophisticated traditional Chinese banquet. The menu is planned ahead to assemble an array of 10 - 12 courses. Each course is presented on

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large platters and served family style for guests seated at a single table. A party of approximately twelve guests makes the ideal gathering for this type of signature event. The Pearl also offers offsite catering for groups up to 300. Consider this idea for events such as birthdays, bar or bat mitzvahs, anniversaries, weddings and commemorative dinners. They can handle all the details from invitations, tables and chairs, place cards, flowers,

plates and silverware, staff, food prep and staging even without an onsite kitchen. Their services are held in esteem in the community - recently they catered the private Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dinner for the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Rose Wong looks forward to greeting you at The Pearl to enjoy her new take on this established favorite. The contemporary Hong Kong ambience provides the place to expand your horizons for authentic Chinese cuisine close to home.

You can order take out for lunch or dinner. Be aware â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the new location is accessed from a parking lot with an entrance off of Farnsleigh in a newly configured traffic pattern. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find ample parking for the restaurant.

The Pearl | Asian Kitchen 20060 Van Aken Boulevard Shaker Heights, OH 44122 216.751.8181 pearlshaker.com

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Cookbooks to Collect

by Patti London photos courtesy Fine Lifestyles

ou might not find it surprising that the married publisher and editor of a magazine, a three-dimensional, hold-inyour-hand-and-flip-the-pages, magazine, also like to collect cookbooks. Don’t worry, we also know how to use the New York Times cooking app and Epicurious to find recipe ideas. We aren’t Luddites. But there’s something wonderful about browsing through a hardcover cookbook when planning a dinner party or just a special night in the kitchen. We have the classics on our shelf: Julia Child’s The Way to Cook, The Silver Palate Cookbook and The New Basics Cookbook by Rosso & Lukins, Larousse Gastronomique, a collection of Moosewood Restaurant cookbooks and The All New Joy of Cooking. But I’d like to share a couple of our current favorites for this issue’s book review. Many cookbooks published in the last few years have taken the genre to a new level, including gorgeous food photography and plenty of background and historical text, in addition to recipes.

SEAN BROCK HERITAGE We ordered this cookbook after being blown away by our dining experiences in his restaurants in Charleston, Husk and McGrady’s. Brock’s cookbook is an upper-level class in low-country cooking. The photos are stunning but his focus on the farmers and native ingredients is the real reason to have this on a shelf in the kitchen. Buy this to learn “How to Cook Grits Like a Southerner.”

YOTAM OTTOLENGHI AND SAMI TAMIMI JERUSALEM I’ve made more dishes out of this cookbook than any other in the last few years. I’ve been able to find many of the Middle Eastern ingredients at the small grocers around Lorain and W. 116th. If you believe a mediterranean diet is the key to health and longevity, there are plenty of dishes to explore in this cookbook.

ANNA JONES A MODERN WAY TO COOK This book interested me because its contents are arranged by how much time you have to prepare dinner. If you’re on a limited schedule, healthy and quick recipes are located in the front. If you have time to spend in the kitchen, peruse the back of the book. All of her meals are optimized for nutritional value and freshness of flavor.

MARCUS SAMUELSSON THE RED ROOSTER COOKBOOK We haven’t visited Samuelsson’s restaurant yet, but we’ve recently enjoyed some incredible short ribs out of this cookbook and have other comfort food dinners already selected. The history of the restaurant and his passion for the culinary culture of Harlem infuses this cookbook. Truly every dish has a story and knowing it brings out even more of the flavors.

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440-268-9390

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Cover Story

Dedication to Core Values Produces Satisfied Customers

by Kristal Pettit photos Vincent Pearson Photography and courtesy Exscape Designs

leveland is sensing the arrival of warmer weather and ready to take advantage of the beautiful days soon to come. If you’re looking out your windows and re-imagining your outdoor living space to be more conducive to family time or entertaining, read on.

Exscape Designs can help you repurpose your yards into beautiful, yet fully functional, areas to enjoy. 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

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of combined experience in its staff of certified landscape professionals, the company has been creating outdoor improvements in northeast Ohio since 2004. Bill Dysert, president and CEO, uses a strategic vision to operate and develop Exscape Designs. “Our company culture

and core values define us. We are able to produce repeatable results because we’ve invested time in refining our systems and processes to guide the client through a successful experience,” Bill explains. “Excellent customer service requires a thoughtful approach and we’ve developed a creative and collaborative process which is thoroughly client-driven.” Through recruiting the right team members and a focus on education, Exscape Designs has developed a loyal crew which, in turn, leads to

happier customers. Bill, himself, embraces an educational approach to managing his company, thereby setting the example. Bill’s commitment to continuing education and leadership development includes maintaining a Landscape Industry Certification as a member of PLANET (Professional Land Care Network), the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and a membership with the Ohio Landscape Association and The Leader’s Edge (a national peer group). He also enjoys participating at the Auburn Career Center as part of the Horticultural Advisory Committee. Exscape Designs invests in high-quality training which fosters a culture of safety, productivity, and professionalism among its team. Maintaining a safe work environment for the employees and clients is a central priority. The staff continues to enhance their skills and knowledge through ongoing training. 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. The company uses a four-phase Design/Build method to successfully partner with home owners, property managers, knowledgeable home builders and architects. The benefit of using the Design/Build method developed by Exscape Designs, Bill says, is that “our operation has become streamlined in such a way that its scale is designed to deliver high quality at a very

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good value.” In the initial design phase, 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

Bill Dysert

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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.” Once these design blueprints and illustrations are finalized, the second phase of the Design/Build process begins. 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. This stage is essential for a smooth and efficient transition to stage three, the build phase. This is the stage where a client begins to see the design vision brought to life by Exscape’s skilled team. Most importantly, the project manager maintains communication with the client through regular progress updates and site visits. 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.” This spring is the perfect opportunity to contact Exscape Designs and find out how they can help you prepare your yard and flower beds so you receive the maximum enjoyment of your outdoor space this summer. A thorough spring clean-up will help prevent common turf diseases and pests and will also help ensure that your newly planted annuals thrive. Pests, mold and other diseases can linger under debris from last season if it isn’t cleared properly. Your flowers will inspire the envy of your neighbors if the mulch and soil they’re living in is healthy and weed-free. Depending on the size of your property and the amount of work to be done, it can be a long and grueling process that you might prefer to pass on

to a professional crew. The aim at Exscape Designs is to “enhance people’s lives through positive interaction.” The dozens of testimonials on the Houzz site suggests they are achieving that aim. Their clients’ experiences reflect Exscape Designs’ success in building relationships of trust and delivering 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. Clearly the emphasis on core values and development of a skilled team of highlytrained professionals has paid off for this customer-focused company. Contact them by phone or through their website to begin a relationship that could increase the beauty and value of your home and enhance the quality of your life for many years to come.

Exscape Designs 10121 Kinsman Road, Novelty 440.729.0011 exscapedesigns.com

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Get Up-Close and Personal With Your Wild Neighbors by Patti London photos courtesy the Cleveland Museum of Natural History

aybe it’s been a while since you’ve visited the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Were you on a field trip in elementary school, or was it when you took your young kids to the planetarium, the kids who are busy looking at colleges now? Well, whenever it was, it’s time to reacquaint yourself. CMNH is planning

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an expansion and major renovations in celebration of its centennial in 2020. The first major renovation was revealed last September when the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden — Presented by KeyBank opened to the public. The site where the Perkins Wildlife Center is now situated was previously

unused space on the south side of the Museum’s campus, but now it could be “the most fascinating two acres in the region,” according to the Plain Dealer’s architecture critic, Steven Litt. The new exhibit features an elevated walkway where visitors can experience the beech and oak tree canopy, visible

from the bustling intersection of East 105th and MLK Drive. From outside the exhibit looks more like an amusement park than a museum. The walkway, ramps and flowing enclosures are meant to allow a closer interaction with the animals and plants than we normally experience. As the enclosures let the animals move throughout the exhibit via overhead trailways, the humans are also encouraged to flow through the exhibit, viewing plants and animals all around, above and below them. Just like the former Perkins Wildlife Center, the newly expanded and renovated one highlights the plants and animals of Ohio. Exhibits include

mammals, like coyotes, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, and otters. Local bird species are well-represented, too, with several kinds of owls, eagles, and Peregrine Falcons. Although our native inhabitants don’t sound exotic, you certainly won’t have an opportunity to view a raccoon or coyote in your backyard the way you can at the Perkins Wildlife Center. Five ecosystems are represented in the Wildlife Center, permitting visitors to flow from a rich forest to a shrub swamp, from a wild woods garden to a wetland, each filled with the flora and fauna of our state. The Museum’s mission to protect these fragile ecosystems is accomplished each time a visitor is awed by the diversity of

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Ohio’s natural environment. The more children experience the joy of watching the otters spin and dive through the water, easily seen through the acrylic glass of their underwater enclosure, the more likely those children are to respect and protect the environment when they’re older. The more we learn as adults about the native species we co-exist with in Ohio, the less likely we are to fear the coyotes and foxes in our neighborhoods. Each of the animals living in the Perkins Wildlife Center has a rescue story. They all came to the Center to live after rescue and rehabilitation and none of them can be safely reintroduced back into the wild. These animals are the ambassadors of the natural world, teaching us through the Museum’s programs and exhibits the importance of our wild neighbors. We eagerly anticipate the next phase of CMNH’s renovation effort over the next few years. Until then, enjoy the frogs and falcons, the otters and owls, and the many other sights in the new Perkins Wildlife Center. The Museum is open Monday - Saturday, 10am-5pm and on Wednesdays, until 10pm, although the Perkins Wildlife Center closes at 7pm. On Sunday the Museum is open noon - 5pm. Admission for adults is $15, $10 for students and seniors, toddlers two and under are free. After 5pm on Wednesdays, the fee is only $8. You’ll probably want to come back regularly, so consider becoming a member of CMNH and get in for free! Cleveland Museum of Natural History 1 Wade Oval Drive in University Circle 216.231.4600 www.cmnh.org

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Adapting Vintage Homes for Modern Lifestyles

by Meg Pauken photos Vincent Pearson Photography and courtesy Riviera Construction

lder homes are full of charm. Often, they are also full of surprises: some that are not so charming. Historic homes may include grand spaces for entertaining, but the functional spaces, like kitchens and bathrooms, are often cramped or otherwise not well suited to the lifestyles of modern families. Renovating older homes can be a challenge because of their unique features, materials, and non-standard

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elements. It is not easy to locate tradespeople who have the skill to repair or match wood- and plaster-work from another century. Opening up those old walls to replace wiring and plumbing can lead to additional, unexpected repairs to bring the infrastructure up to code. Riviera Construction specializes in the restoration and renovation of historic homes to make them work for the way modern families live, while maintaining the vintage features that make them

unique and charming. Ken Badalamenti, owner of Riviera Construction, has developed and maintained relationships over his 24 years in business with tradespeople who provide old-world, quality craftsmanship. Riviera has renovated and restored homes from a variety of eras and styles, from century homes, to 1920â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tudors and Georgians, to mid-century moderns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I enjoy the challenge and satisfaction

of bringing older homes back to life,“ Ken says. “The relationships I have with tradespeople in the industry make a real difference in the quality of work and the way a renovation goes.” Historic homes, more than modern ones, often provide surprises once renovations begin. The team at Riviera Construction anticipates these challenges and handles them head-on, with honesty, integrity and open communication. “Communication is key,” Ken explains. “We start out every engagement by listening to our customers. We want to know what you love about your home and what is and is not working for you. We want to know how you use the space and how you think you will be using the space in five years or even ten years. Then we can put a plan together to get there.” Renovating older homes often includes

updating and expanding bathrooms and kitchens, or creating more casual gathering spaces. It also may involve adding accessibility features that allow homeowners to age in place, which might mean adding a first-floor master suite by converting under-utilized existing space or adding on, or it might mean adding an elevator. Whatever solution is needed, Ken will work with his customer to find it. Although it might seem daunting, restoration and renovation of historic and vintage homes provides a boost in market value and an excellent return on investment, while at the same time improving the quality of the homeowner’s everyday life. In addition to historic restoration and renovation of older homes, Riviera Construction also does luxury remodels of all types of homes, as well as home additions, outdoor spaces and custom homebuilding. Call Ken Badalamenti at 440.349.9744 to discuss how he can help you love your home again. Visit the Riviera Construction website, riviera-construction.com, for more information and to view their portfolio.

Riviera Construction 440.349.9744 riviera-construction.com

Kathy and Ken Badalamenti Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Turn on the Style at House of Lights by Meg Pauken photos Vincent Pearson Photography

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

ouse of Lights in Mayfield Heights has been a “fixture” in the industry for over 50 years. According to owner Mark Dymidowski, a combination of selection, service, and stability is the key to its success. Visit the gleaming 10,000-foot showroom on Mayfield Road and you will see the area’s largest selection of lighting options. The store sells everything from enormous, exquisite chandeliers to artsy single bulb pendants, along with utilitarian “invisible” fixtures, lamps, and outdoor lighting. House of Lights has options at every price point, and will beat the advertised prices of competitors. Mark’s team is very experienced, most having been with the company for more than 15 years. They are trained to help customers determine appropriate sizing for fixtures in various spaces. They also help evaluate the specifics of how lighting will function in a space. For example, lighting needs are much different in a kitchen than in a dining room. Team members are also experienced designers, and will consider how various lighting

styles will fit into the overall interior design of a customer’s home. In addition to staff in the showroom, House of Lights employs lighting installers who will deliver and install lighting for customers, if desired. As an additional service, although the store is open seven days a week, Mark will arrange for offhours consultations with customers if needed. “A lot of times, people are relocating and building a home in the area, and they are only in town for a limited period of time,” Mark says, “So we’ll work around their schedules.” House of Lights is the largest provider of lighting to homebuilders in the area. Staff members have expertise in wholehouse lighting design and coordination. Providing their expertise to over 400 new homes every year, House of Lights staff familiarize themselves with each home, then lay out a lighting plan that is both functional and beautiful. Dymidowski explains that, unlike their competitors, House of Lights has a large inventory of lights in stock, so most of the time, customers can leave with their fixtures, which is very helpful for tight remodeling timelines. If lighting must be ordered, House of Lights has a very short turn-around time, usually a week to ten days, unlike other stores, where customers may have to wait six to eight weeks for orders to arrive. With warmer weather on the horizon, now is a great time to evaluate and update your outdoor lighting. Stop in and let Mark and his team of experts help you brighten up your landscape and outdoor living spaces. Check out their selection of accessories, interior lamps, and furniture while you’re there. You can shop online, via the company website, houseoflights.biz, or stop in for a planning session and consider the options in the store, located at 5818 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights. Store hours are 10-6 Monday through Saturday, and 12-4 on Sunday. The store is also open on Thursdays until 8 p.m.

House of Lights 5818 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights 440.449.3500 houseoflights.biz

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

O’Brien Cut Stone:

Keeping the Craft Alive by Meg Pauken photos Aaron Leyser

ong before granite was trendy, long before HGTV popularized stone surfaces in kitchens, O’Brien Cut Stone was fabricating natural stone for use in residential and commercial buildings all over Cleveland. The company was founded in 1925 by the family patriarch, Lawrence O’Brien. At that time, during Cleveland’s great building boom, their work was mostly exterior. O’Brien’s handiwork can be found in landmarks all over Cleveland,

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including the Hope Memorial Bridge, Terminal Tower, Adelbert Hall on the campus of Case Western Reserve University, and the Clock Tower at University Hospitals. O’Brien’s stonework can also be found on the campuses of John Carroll University, Baldwin Wallace University, and Kent State University, to name just a few. Although O’Brien started out doing mostly commercial work, the company, now run by the fourth generation of

O’Briens, does a mix of residential and commercial, interior and exterior work. The company has expanded into two divisions: interior (granite, marble, quartz, soapstone, travertine) and exterior (limestone, sandstone, flagstone, blue stone and landscape products). While the mix of work has evolved over the years, the craftsmanship remains “old world.” Their “newest” skilled stone cutter has been with them for 15 years. The most senior? 35 years. At O’Brien,

they do things by hand, which is rare in the industry, and results in tighter cuts and finer finishes. As you might expect in a long-time family business, the customer service is very hands-on. Staff members are happy to work with a client’s designer, or directly with homeowners. Customers select their own slabs of stone after viewing them personally, sometimes even in the outside yard, where the play of light reveals intricate graining and the unique patterns that make natural stone so appealing. When customers come in for interior products, such as stone countertops, backsplashes or fireplace surrounds, the general process is the same. The team at O’Brien works closely with their customers to assess their goals,

plan the project, create a budget and a timeline. O’Brien’s pricing is all-inclusive, incorporating the planning, cutting, finishing, and installation. Outdoor projects might include walkways and steps, patios, retaining walls or outdoor kitchens. The same hands-on approach and attentive level of service is provided, regardless. Natural stone products such as granite, marble, and travertine, provide durable, classic surfaces that maintain their beauty over time and add value. The staff at O’Brien are knowledgeable about the best products for each possible use. They educate their customers to find the best match between functionality and esthetics.

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

Michelle Zupancic and Jayme O’Brien

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Fun With Brick Veneer Tiles by Patti London photos courtesy Fine Lifestyles Magazine

t’s funny how home remodeling projects can begin so innocently, with one little idea, then a year later they’ve taken over a part of your house. Our current project began with an oversized sectional sofa the delivery people couldn’t squeeze down the stairwell to the basement. Since then we’ve stripped and repainted the doors and trim work in the side entryway and tiled the stairs and hallway with natural stone tiles. But that’s another article… To get the sectional seating into the basement tv room, we gained an extra three inches of space in the stairwell

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

leading to the basement by removing the knotty pine paneling. You know the paneling I’m talking about - probably a third of the basement recreation rooms from the 1960’s are sporting the ski lodge look with knotty pine paneling. Once removed, the sectional slid into the basement and the delivery guys left. We sat on the new sofa and looked at the exposed concrete block wall, a dusty brick color. That’s when the little idea came to us: wouldn’t that wall look cool if it were actual brick? We could leave the bottom half of the wall paneled, then extend the brick all the way up to cover the entire wall where our side door is located.

With a little research, we found an affordable brick veneer manufactured by Old Mill Thin Brick Products. The bricks came in 12 different styles, from an adobe tan called Alamo Sunrise, to a really rustic style named Rushmore. We chose a colonial looking brick called Boston Mill. We ordered the tiles on a sheet which Old Mill markets as Brickweb. This made keeping the lines of brick straight and level much easier. The adhesive was also available through Old Mill, as were corner pieces which make the finished project look very realistic, like actual bricks rather than brick veneer tiles.

We found plenty of resources online such as installation videos to give us some direction when we applied mortar to the seams between the bricks. Sealing the bricks first with tile sealant made cleaning up the edges of the bricks a bit easier during this phase of the project. The new brick wall now looks like it’s the oldest part of the house. We installed two LED lights in the wood shelf that runs horizontally along the wall,

space under the shelf. But we got ahead of ourselves and expanded the remodeling up the stairs to the hallway. The brick project turned out so nicely, we decided to remove the floor tiles in that entryway area and install a natural stone floor. One improvement just leads to another. We’ll never be totally finished.

separating the basement from the first floor, so that the brick is nicely illuminated with uplighting. We’ve repainted the trim work a bold black, after stripping off decades of paint layers with a heat gun. (Be sure to wear a respirator for this process.) The black trim looks quite striking next to the brick wall. We still need to find a nice wood trim piece to finish off the top of the paneling where it meets the brick and to finish the

BEFORE

AFTER

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Are You Dreaming of a New Concrete Driveway? by Kristal Pettit photos courtesy ALBA contractors

ome homeowners wish for better landscaping. Others dream of kitchen remodels. I spend my spare time imagining the disappearance of that crumbling mess of asphalt some would call my driveway, and a gorgeous span of concrete in its place. I am sure I’m not the only one wishing to never seal coat again. In search of my dream driveway, I spoke with Al Sluga, of ALBA Contractors, Inc. Al 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

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

including on-site supervision and project management. He is the lead component 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. When discussing concrete versus asphalt, Al makes a very good point, “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.” So, I asked Al about the advantages of concrete, besides the longer life and less maintenance. “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”. The planning stage is a good time to consider the finish. A traditional broom finish or beautiful hand finish will enhance your homes curb appeal. Adding a decorative finish with a stamp pattern or color can give your concrete the

Al Sluga

appearance, feel, and look of brick, tile, slate, or stone. ALBA Contractors’ team can provide professional guidance through the planning stage of your dream concrete driveway or patio. ALBA can assist with everything from demolition and removal of your existing structures, to the explanation of the quality of materials they use. Their skilled tradesmen understand that the final product depends on the proper performance of each step of the process, from grading to sealing. Al assured me that my driveway is going to make me smile every time I drive in and out. He explained that my driveway will now be a design element of my landscape, making a dramatic difference in the appearance of my home. My neighbors are going to love it as well. Once my concrete driveway is installed,

ALBA’s team of installers will 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

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

A Professional Arborist Speaks for the Trees by Meg Pauken photos Aaron Leyser

n Dr. Seuss’s world, it was the Lorax who spoke for the trees. In our world, it is the professional arborist. Certified Arborists are more than tree-trimmers and tree removers, they are educated and credentialed professionals who can evaluate, diagnose, and treat diseased trees; engineer and install structural supports; recommend appropriate trees for your landscape, and, when necessary, trim or remove them completely. Mike Ripley, the owner of Ripley Tree Service in Burton and a Certified Arborist, explains that the training and certification process overseen by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) results in a higher standard of tree care and preservation. Mike also has obtained certification in Tree Risk Assessment, which means that he can assess the health of your trees and recommend and administer treatment, if necessary. Mike became interested in arboriculture after high school. After working in the field and obtaining his certifications, he founded Ripley Tree Service, which has now grown to a team of eight. Ripley Tree Service provides comprehensive arborist services. Mike and his team will perform a full assessment of a client’s property, evaluating the health and viability of each tree. Depending upon the specific challenges of the property, they may make recommendations about thinning a dense stand of trees, or removing selected trees in order to highlight a particularly fine specimen tree. “We consult with our clients to address their specific issues and concerns,“ Mike explains. Often Mike and his crew can improve the health of existing trees with targeted pruning and treatment for pests and diseases. Sometimes they provide cabling and other bracing to support young trees

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structurally as they grow. Mike helps his clients select trees appropriate for their soil and landscape, and that are also aesthetically pleasing. “There are so many beautiful varieties of trees that consumers aren’t all that aware of,“ Mike says. ”We recommend options, do site preparation, planting and fertilization of new trees for our customers.” Ripley Tree Service uses turf-friendly equipment, which has a low impact on lawns and landscaping and causes minimal damage. The equipment is also more “nimble” and able to get into spaces that bucket trucks and cranes cannot access. Working with a certified arborist like Ripley Tree Service has other advantages. All of Ripley’s services are performed to ANSI 300 standards. These standards were developed by arboriculture industry professionals and represent “best practices” for tree care. Standards cover everything from assessment, to pruning, soil management, root management, lightning management, and pest control. Well cared-for trees are attractive and can add considerable value to your property. Poorly maintained trees can be a significant liability. Pruning or removing trees, especially large trees, can be dangerous work. Tree work should be done only by those trained and equipped to work safely in trees. Contact Mike Ripley at Ripley Tree Service for an assessment of the trees on your property. Mike may be reached at 440.463.7379, or visit their website at RipleyTreeService.com for more information.

Ripley Tree Service 440.463.7379 ripleytreeservice.com Mike Ripley Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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Matt and Mike Supler

A New Vista for Your Landscape by Meg Pauken photos Aaron Leyser

ome people were not made for 9 to 5 work, sitting behind a desk. Some people prefer to get their hands dirty, to build something beautiful and lasting. Mike Supler and his brother Matt, are the kind of people who get their hands dirty, designing and installing stunning landscapes throughout Northeast Ohio with their company, New Vista Enterprises. With degrees from Ohio State University in Landscape Design and Construction (Mike) and Horticulture (Matt), they bring both expertise and enthusiasm to every project. Mike founded New Vista Enterprises in 2000, after obtaining his degree, and working for a large landscape design firm. Later, Matt joined him,

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

first as an employee and then a partner. They have found that, although working together “could be a reality show some days,” their skills naturally complement each other, and their easy communication style works to benefit their clients. “Mike is the design and construction guy,” Matt explains, “And I’m the plant guy.” The first thing they do on a new engagement is to learn the customer’s goals and preferences, likes and dislikes. Then they develop a conceptual design plan, working with existing plantings and structures, if that is what the customer wants. The brothers have a great network of nurseries they work with, so they have

access to unique and interesting plants. Neither of them favors a cookie-cutter approach. “We really work in creative collaboration with our customers,” Mike says. “Every job is different. We have clients who like to experiment every year with new and different plantings, and others who have very specific and consistent preferences.” Mike and Matt enjoy the creativity that their work allows. They have worked with Land Studio on many public art installations in the area, in addition to their residential work. New Vista is an all-inclusive landscape design and installation company. They

perform all phases of the process inhouse, from the initial assessment and design phase, to installation of both plants and hardscape, as well as maintenance and upkeep. They even employ skilled craftspeople and tradesmen. “We have really phenomenal stone masons who work with natural stone, which is a dying breed. We do a lot of stone work that complements the big older homes in the area,” Mike explains. “We also are able to do complete installations of outdoor kitchens, including the plumbing and electrical.” New Vista is serious about customer service: “Once we start a job, we are there every day until it is finished,” Matt says. Not all landscape firms work this way. Mike continues, “We are family-oriented and very hands-on, so we can be flexible if customers want to make changes, and we are always available for questions.” 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. Call New Vista Enterprises today for a consultation on your landscape at 216.291.1100. Visit the website at newvistaent.com to see a gallery of projects and for more information.

New Vista Enterprises 216.291.1100 newvistaent.com

Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

Painting Professionals for Your Home or Business by Janine Purcell photos Aaron Leyser

f your upcoming home improvement plans include beautifying or maintaining the interior or exterior of your home or business, consider contacting Robert C. Van Gunten, Inc. for your project. The company provides full-service painting and wallpaper installation for residential and commercial property owners throughout Cuyahoga and Geauga counties. Robert began in 1978 to build a solid reputation for delivering a great product at a very fair price and with total care for you, your home and your belongings. After serving an extensive apprenticeship with Broadway Decorating Company of Cleveland, Bob opened his own business, built on bedrock techniques of “Old World” craftsmanship. “I employ a system of preparation and

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finishing techniques that allows for efficiency on the job and gives us the ability to provide high quality work at a competitive, affordable price.” The cornerstones of their decades of success are trust, quality, service and affordability. Based on these guiding principles, Robert has built and maintained a large and loyal customer base, including the grown children and grandchildren of many of his earlier customers. All of Robert C. Van Gunten’s work is performed by Bob and his crew of skilled painters and wallpaper hangers. He never uses temps or subcontractors. Each employee came aboard because Bob felt his customers would feel totally comfortable to have them in their home or business.

to handle projects of any size. They can do one room or an entire house or office complex in a neat, clean and efficient manner. Their commercial projects include stores, offices, churches and schools. Their expertise covers a wide spectrum of decorating services beyond painting, including wallpaper installation, water damaged plaster and drywall repairs, faux and specialty finishes, basement mildew treatment and resistant painting, and wood staining and finishing. For exterior work, they caulk, paint and stain. Their fine art skills include fine murals, children’s murals and tromp l’oeil on a residential or commercial scale. They offer an eco-friendly alternative by using paint that contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This option is helpful if you are concerned about allergies or sensitivities to chemicals. The same colors are available as for conventional paint products. Robert C. Van Gunten looks forward to providing you with expert work at an affordable price. Give them a call the next time you need painting and decorating care for your home or business. Visit their website at www. VanGuntenPainting.com Robert C. VanGunten, Inc. 2010 Berkshire Rd. Gates Mills, Ohio 216.269.5880 vangunten@att.net

One frequent comment he receives from customers after completing a project is how nice it was to have neat, clean and polite workers in their home. As one customer says, “Bob and his crew are very quiet and neat and clean...to the point that you may not even know they are gone for the day except for the perfectly painted room they left behind.” People are relieved to be able to come and go,

or even go out of town, knowing that they can fully trust the Van Gunten team with their homes and property in their absence. Bob points out, “The work schedule books up during winter and spring breaks with customers who want to have painting done while they are away for the sake of convenience.” Robert C. Van Gunten, Inc. is staffed Robert C. Van Gunten Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

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Spring Clean Your Garage & Enjoy It Year Round By Dylan Yépez Photos Courtesy of Garage Finisher

garage is often the main entry to your home. It should be clean, organized and inviting to your family and guests. But the sad reality is that too often it has been reduced to a repository for all the junk you mistakenly think you might need later. You’re always going to clean it next weekend — but until that elusive time, the garage will remain an

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embarrassment every time you open the garage door. Well, that weekend has come. 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 fullservice garage-makeover provider that will be in and out faster than you can come up with another excuse not to makeover your garage.

Yana & Mario Salwan

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 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 ten 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 should be able to drive on it the day after it’s applied. Garage Finisher confidently offers a lifetime warranty on its work, which covers issues such as staining, cracking, hot-tire pick-up and delamination.

cabinets that have adjustable shelves for permanent organization. As with the flooring, the slatwall and cabinets come with lifetime warranties. You will be much happier when you arrive home each day, guests will be amazed by your clean garage, and your clean garage floor will make your house cleaner. 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. Call 216.831.4500 to schedule a free consultation, design and estimate for your new garage space.

When it comes to finishing your garage, flooring is only half the battle. Over time, garages go downhill: the paint peels, concrete floors spall and pit and junk builds up. 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

Garage Finisher 216.831.4500 4530 Renaissance Parkway Cleveland, Ohio 44128 garagefinisher.com

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Buying or Selling a Home? Let Us Help You!

f you are selling your home “For Sale by Owner” and both the buyer and seller are ready to move forward, contact Harvard Title to help you move through the closing process with confidence. Harvard Title can be a resource to discuss the home buying and selling process based on years of experience with a wide range of real estate professionals. Call us today! Harvard Title Agency is a full service real estate title and escrow agency based in Northeast Ohio and serving all 88 counties in Ohio. Contact Harvard Title Agency at 216.485.3550 or find them online at www.harvardtitleagency.com Harvard Title Agency 3611 Prospect Ave Cleveland, Ohio 216-485-3550 HarvardTitleAgency.com LLC

The Refinishing Center “We can fix anything,” said Benjamin Malovany, owner of the Refinishing Center in Chagrin Falls.

n his state-of-the-art studio, Benjamin and his teammate are stripping, repairing, re-gluing and refinishing all kinds of furniture, as well as antiques and priceless heirlooms. The company also offers estimates at the customer’s home and pick up and delivery. The professionals at the Refinishing Center are perfectionists and will never compromise on quality. Benjamin has been in the refinishing business for over 20 years. His degree in fine arts serves him well at the Refinishing Center. He has a long list of happy clients in the Chagrin Valley and beyond. The company has a sterling reputation and many repeat customers. The Refinishing Center 16665 West Park Circle Drive, Bainbridge 440.543.7728 benjamin@therefinishingcenter.net therefinishingcenter.net

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Teresa Slowey Whitham For All Your Real Estate Needs

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teresa was very easy to work with and made the process seamless. Although it is generally very stressful selling and buying a house, it was a very smooth process and she followed through and kept me up-todate on everything going on.â&#x20AC;? - Phyllis Caplin

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 440-263-0504 TeresaWhitham@HowardHanna.com TeresaSloweyWhitham.HowardHanna.com Fine Lifestyles Magazine Cleveland

For Your Health and the Health of Your Home By Mike Cabrerra Photos courtesy Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

hlorine is a reliable way to kill bacteria and other potentially harmful organisms in your water. But once chlorine has done its job, it has to go. For more than a century, chlorine has been the standard form of water treatment. The city uses this chemical to treat your home’s water supply, but doesn’t require homes to be equipped with carbon filters, which remove chlorine from the water. So, many homeowners and their families may unknowingly be taking in harmful amounts of chlorine by drinking — and bathing in — chlorinated tap water.

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Prolonged exposure to chlorine is harmful to our bodies. In fact, people who drink chlorinated water are at a 93 percent greater risk of getting cancer than those who drink non-chlorinated water, according to the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). “Every time I treat well water with chlorine, I remove iron, sulfur (rotten egg smell), kill coliform (rotten vegetation) and kill e-coli (fecal waste, etc.), but I put in a carbon filter to remove the chlorine so people don’t drink it,” states Eric Dunlap, water treatment specialist and Operations Manager at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.

water is a good thing, but the chlorine has already done its job so it’s in the best interest of the homeowner to remove it,” says Eric. Bathing in chlorinated water dries out your skin and hair and, according to CEQ, accounts for about two-thirds of harmful chlorine intake.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is a full-service plumbing company that has serviced the Northeast Ohio area for more than four decades. Its experienced technicians can install a whole-home carbon filter that will remove all chlorine from your home’s water supply. While they’re at it, they can install a city softener in your home, which does the work of both a water softener and a carbon filter, at a much lower price than buying both units separately. “Even people in the industry used to think that smelling the chlorine in the

City water also contains a variety of minerals, such as scale, lime and iron. These minerals don’t necessarily pose a threat to your health, but they can cause quite a bit of headaches. “Hard water damages aerators, washing machine screens, water heaters, etc.,” Eric states. “Minerals leave white buildup on shower heads and can even adhere to toilets and faucets.” Hard water leaves water spots and bathtub rings. It makes it difficult to rinse off in the shower and leads to greater consumption of soap and detergent. Water softeners help to avoid these problems and prolong the

lives of certain plumbing fixtures by removing minerals from the home’s water supply. To find out how Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can improve the quality of your home’s water, call 440.543.1151. Visit BenjaminFranklinPlumbingNEOhio. com for more information and to find coupons for a variety of services. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is located at 12043 Mayfield Road in Chardon. When its technicians show up, you’ll see why more than 98 percent of firsttime customers return to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for all their future plumbing needs.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing 12043 Mayfield Road, Chardon 440.543.1151 BenjaminFranklinPlumbingNEOhio.com

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Andes Adventures by Patti London photos Marc London

cuador has three distinct regions: the flat, agricultural land along the western coast; the Andes mountain range extending north to south through the center of the country; and, the Amazonian rainforest east of the mountains, sharing borders with Peru and Columbia. During our trip to Ecuador we enjoyed several noteworthy adventures in the mountains. Driving three hours eastbound from Guayaquil to Alausi gives you a good idea of the difference between the flatland

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and mountain regions. We passed fields of banana trees, cacao trees, sugar cane and stands of bamboo in the fertile agricultural area. Then abruptly we began to climb. As the terrain changed, so did the people. The mountain dwelling locals dressed in traditional brightly colored skirts and blouses, the women sporting wide brimmed black hats. The mountain road would have been nerve-wracking enough without the speeding buses, cows, donkeys, motor scooters and pedestrians dotting the

road. Things got really interesting when the clouds moved in and we were on a one lane gravel road for 7.5 kilometers to La Posada de las Nubes - The Inn in the Clouds. As we felt our way along the side of the mountain, we kept telling each other, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This place better be worth risking our lives.â&#x20AC;? We did not talk about the ride back we would have to take from the Inn to Alausi the next morning. La Posada turned out to be worth the risk. Carolina Ortiz hosts small groups at her gorgeously decorated bed and

breakfast and in between she maintains beautiful gardens, rides horses and paints. Her sister comes from Italy to help in the summers, but the rest of the year Carolina maintains the property and lives a dream life in the clouds. She provided an incredible meal of chicken and arroz, tamales to start and mango ice cream to finish. Carolina also had our breakfast ready at 6:30 the next morning so we could crawl along the road back to the train station in Alausi for our next excursion. We had booked our tickets on the Ecuador Rail months earlier for this two and a half hour trip on the Alausi - Sibambe route through La Nariz del Diablo, the Devil’s Nose. Although the route is only 12km, the elevation is 500 feet. It is so steep, the train traverses the mountainside in a zigzag pattern, back and forth, changing tracks to climb then descend. More than a thousand Jamaican slaves lost their lives from disease and accident building the track over a hundred years ago, hence the allusion to the devil in naming the mountain. The mountain was once called the Condors’ Aerie but the dynamiting to build the tracks frightened the endangered birds from their home. The train ride provided amazing scenic views of the Andes, in spite of the tragic history. The train cars were beautifully refurbished and filled with tourists, both international and Ecuadorian. The excursion is popular and books well in advance. Our second mountain adventure was in Cuenca, further south in the Andes range. Our son-in-law found a beautiful hotel, the Hotel Inca Real, which was our home base for trips to see the ruins at Ingapirca and for silver and souvenir shopping in Chordolag. The Cañari people first settled in the valley at Ingapirca in 900. The Incas moved into the neighborhood in 1480, then all hell broke out shortly thereafter with the Spanish invasion. The temple at the center of the ruins was originally a lunar temple as revered by the Cañaris, but the Incas built around the temple and rededicated it to the sun. Gold pieces were once situated in the recessed shelf spaces in the temple walls where the sunlight hits four times a year, marking the solstices and equinoxes. Besides the temple, the other ruins were mostly the

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low stone outlines of the buildings and homes, making it hard to imagine the valley populated by an ancient civilization. Back in Cuenca we spent hours wandering the streets and marveling at the 16th and 17th century Spanish architecture. The park in the main square, Park Abdon Calderon, was full of activity and music and the center of the city is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Trust sites because of the architecture. The city of Cuenca is also home to many expat Gringo Americans, who find the cost of living, the pleasant year-round temperatures, and the beauty of the city worth leaving the States. A perfect view of the city is found from a scenic perch, the Mirador de Turi, which is also walking distance from Eduardo Vega’s studio. Vega is Ecuador’s premier ceramicist. His gallery and studio are filled with light and color and the most exquisite ceramics, from housewares to tiles to murals. Back home in Cleveland, I enjoy my morning coffee in one of Vega’s delicate turquoise and green cups and happily remember our mountain adventures in Ecuador.

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Luxury MADE EASY

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216.355.7168 | propoolandspacleveland.com | propoolandspa@sbcglobal.net

Big Firm Sophistication with a Small Firm Touch by Meg Pauken photos Vincent Pearson Photography

ewman and Company CPAs has all the expertise and resources of a big accounting firm, with the personal touch of a small firm. This is the result of the vision, depth of experience, and values shared by partners Steve Newman and Nick Fanous. Nick joined Steve and Newman & Company approximately eighteen months ago, after developing a friendship with Steve as industry colleagues. The two found that they had a similar approach to the practice that is based upon a high level of client service. Nick’s background

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working both with large multi-national companies as well as small businesses further complements Steve’s classic approach, and the result is a consultative, client-centered practice. They made their partnership official November 1, 2016. Steve Newman has led Newman & Company with a vision to provide not just “bean counting,” but forwardthinking, comprehensive services for his clients. The goal of Newman’s team is to help their clients succeed, using both accounting and business expertise. The team at Newman & Company includes a diverse mix of CPAs and staff

accountants with a depth of expertise in accounting, tax planning and compliance, personal financial advice, business planning, business valuation, litigation support, and advisory services. Several team members bring experience from both large multi-national and regional accounting firms. These experiences have provided their team with insight into a variety of unique and complex issues such as multijurisdictional taxation, mergers and acquisitions and business valuations. The team also has experience in unique industries such as real estate, oil and gas,

personal service and not-for-profit. Every industry has unique challenges from an accounting, tax, and business planning perspective. The team at Newman & Company provides insight and guidance based upon an understanding and appreciation of those industry-specific issues. Steve describes their practice as relationship based: “We take a holistic approach with our clients, with a bigpicture view of their business, over the long term. We apply the expertise we have gained from years of experience, to help clients solve their current problems and make good decisions going forward.”

Newman & Company is located in the Ohio Savings Building at 1801 East 9th Street. You may reach them by telephone at 216.781.6106. Professional biographies and additional information about the firm may be found on their website at newmancpas.com.

By taking such a holistic approach, Steve, Nick and their team help clients plan throughout the year, to maximize operational decisions. The timing of certain decisions can have an enormous impact on a firm’s financial picture. By creating a more consultative relationship with their clients, Steve and Nick encourage regular meetings to assess and adjust course where needed.

“The range of expertise and sophistication that we provide is what you would expect from a much larger firm, but we provide the kind of hands-on service you typically find in a small shop,” Nick explains. “Really, it is the best of both worlds.”

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

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Honesty, Value and Communication

SERVICING ALL FOREIGN & DOMESTIC MODELS 1815 S.Taylor Rd. Cleveland Heights, Ohio

swedishsolution.com (216)371-5100

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27999 Miles Rd. Orange Village, Ohio

swedishsolution.com (440)248-1022

Quality Auto Repair Since 1982

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Leave Your Pain IN OUR HANDS “The Leader in Innovative Spine Care” • Auto Accidents • Work Related Injuries • Recreational and Sport Injuries • Personal Injuries • Pain Management • Non-Surgical Relief for Chronic Pain • Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy • Licensed Physical & Massage Therapist Dr. John Livingston

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Comprehensive Medical Evaluation Same Day Appointments Available

Suite D-25111 Miles Road, Warrensville Heights, between Green Road and Richmond Road | 440-528-0005 | www.livingstonchirogroup.com

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440-543-1151 • 440-729-1378 csr.0102@benfranklinplumbing.com www.BenjaminFranklinPlumbingNEOhio.com