letters to the editor

I was first attracted to your magazine because of an article by Scott Lax on paddling. As a retired superintendent who used to paddle and now is working to see paddling abolished, I related well to Scott’s article… which was compelling.

I was the interested in knowing more about the magazine that would allow controversial topics such as this as there are some very vocal opponents to banning corporal punishment even though, of the thousands of school administrators in Ohio, I have not heard of one being quoted that they think paddling in school is a good idea. This interest led me to go to the web to explore your magazine and I was quit pleased with what I saw. The writing is outstanding and the artwork and photography was very appealing. I found myself reading all the articles covering everything from the Akron art museum to Ethiopian restuarants in the Cleveland area. I was certainly impressed by the overall quality.

I wanted to take this opportunity to commend you on a informative and attractive publication which also allows for a touch of controversy to stimulate one’s thinking.

Your magazine demonstrates once again the rich opportunities Ohio provides and with energy costs as they are, allows us to look in our own back yard for enriching and exciting experiences. Thanks!

Jack Conrath
Worthington

This comment is in response to the article by Scott Lax entitled, “The Paddle and the Damage Done.” His story of humiliation at the hands of abusive teachers touches strong memories of experiences I have had in school as well. Today, as CEO of Positive Education Program serving Greater Cleveland’s most seriously emotionally disturbed students, I am mindful of how great an impact adults in authority, particularly teachers, can have on shaping the world view of young people. Teachers need to understand that, like it or not, they represent all adults and therefore society. They choose to make the classroom a place of learning and healing or an environment of fear and rejection. Often, adults under-value the tremendous impact they have on the lives of their charges – teachers have a treasured opportunity to influence futures. Perhaps if we all appreciated the importance of teachers, more of them would realize how vital they really are to our children’s well-being.

Frank A. Fecser, Ph.D.
Cleveland

I am just [writing] to let you know how much I appreciate your Live’s Museums Guide. I had never seen it before – I was traveling through Ohio and stopped at the Springfield Museum of Art and picked up this excellent Spring/Summer 2007 guide. This has led me to plan another trip around Ohio to “do” museums. Thank you again.

Peggy Westerhold
via fax

While the article "Talent at Work" about the Cleveland School of the Arts [February 2007] was intended to showcase the school itself, it was disturbing that none of the pictured students, including the string player on the cover, were identified. We learned the name of the photographer, the Executive Director, the orchestra director, and members of the Board of Trustees, as well as an honorary trustee.

Except for a single quote from one student, the rest remained nameless. Perhaps it seemed superfluous to the editors who wrote the piece, but it came across as self-congratulatory, soulless, and yes, even racist.

Rosemary Bienz
Alliance, Ohio

Editor’s note: To protect its students, it is the policy of Cleveland School of the Arts not to identify pictured students by first and last name. The student quoted in the article was identified by first and last name because she was not pictured.

How delighted I was to open my current Northern Ohio Live and see your Style piece extolling Fair Trade products available in the area!

Thank you for giving space and thoughtful attention to an option which many of us overlook.  Living in a society which encourages a “haves” mentality, it is easy to dismiss buying opportunities which improve the lives of “have-nots.”

From the first cup of “coffee with a conscience” in the morning, to chocolate choices later in the day, consumers can now, more than ever, find quality Fair Trade products if they look for them.

Marcia Hirsh
Akron, Ohio

I found Scott Lax’s article about empty yards outstanding.

I was also a child with the freedom to play outside: building forts, catching butterflies, playing in Nancy and Richard’s “dirt box” under their back porch; I can still capture a little of the feeling I had riding “no-handed” down the middle of the street on my first day of summer vacation. Scott captured my concerns and those of so many others in his Northern Ohio Live article. I suggest those interested in this subject read Nature Deficit Disorder: The Last Child in The Woods by Richard Louv. Richard does a very good job of identifying the fear that keeps today’s children inside.

I’d like to see more articles by Scott Lax.

Sally Hosken
Mentor

I think Scott Lax is on to something when he asks in his September column, “Is it Time for a Third Political Party”? Scott’s “platform” should spur us all on to take stock – to ask ourselves if our government leaders, be they Democrat or Republican, have developed policies and practices that support our vision for America. Scott gives us a few reasons to think not.

So maybe we should help Scott complete a platform and make him our write-in candidate for president. And if he’s dead set against serving as Commander-in-Chief, let’s lobby (what an idea) to get him one of those 15 cabinet positions, maybe Energy or Health & Human Services?

And as for a name for the party, well, I’d suggest the Egalitarians, except that may not be hip enough for a grassroots movement. Maybe Bono would lend the U2 moniker. U2, now that’s a name for a party of the people.

J A Kosmo
Avon Lake

I thought that your September article “We believe in northeast Ohio” was a much needed does of positive attitude for our area. Your magazine and its outlook is much appreciated. Thanks for another great issue!!

Kenneth Stephen
North Canton

What decade are we living in? I usually enjoy reading your magazine (Northern Ohio Live) but was totally put off by your article titled “Women’s Work” from the snearing [sic] photo on the front cover to the insulting two page opening to the story and the language suggesting that women “vacuum” and “dust” in style. Why? In our home we share the housework, putting on comfortable clothes and working together. Why did you put these women in high heels and panty hose to clean a house? This is absolutely INSULTING to women – I will strongly reconsider renewing my subscription.

Deborah Bruce

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed Scott Lax’s article on Angela Huang. The article was fun to read and very insightful. I actually subscribed to your magazine recently because of his entertaining articles.

Melissa Kamenir
Chagrin Falls

I just received my September 2005 issue of Northern Ohio Live. Included in it was a booklet entitled: “Live’s MUSEUMS Guide”. I am saddened that nowhere is mentioned any of the automobile museums of the area. There are a fair number of them, notably: Crawford in Cleveland and others in Canton, & Stubenville. I’m sure there are more that I am unaware of and was looking forward to discovering with your help. Lest anyone at Northern Ohio Live argue that the automobile is not art, consider the Bugatti Exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art a few years ago.

Additionally, next year’s Buzz Around, should mention the milestone of 55 years for the Cleveland Sport Car Club, founded in 1951, and still alive uninterupped for all these years.

David Bunsey, Sr.
Chesterland

In Eileen Beal’s article about gestational diabetes, she said that it tends to go away soon after delivery. That is what our daughter was told as well. However, she developed Type One (insulin dependent) diabetes several months after the birth of her baby. No one, not her gynecologist, her endocrinologist, her internist ever told her the symptoms of diabetes to watch out for just in case. After she was finally diagnosed, I did some research and found out that while it is not common, a certain percentage of women that have gestational diabetes are at risk. I think it is important for young pregnant women who have gestational diabetes to be advised of the possibility and the symptoms of Type One diabetes.

Fran Belkin
Mayfield Heights

Fine article on Cleveland comedians. Lawanda Page who played Aunt Ehster on Sanford and Son was omitted from your article. Lawanda Page worked with Redd Foxx for many years and should be remembered for her truly hilarious work and the many barriers she overcame to be a success.

Michael Levin
Cleveland

Kudos to Eleanor Mallet for capturing the feel of a farmers’ market. It is unfortunate, however, that her experience is limited to the North Union Farmers’ Market in Shaker Square.

Surely North Union is the granddaddy of farmers’ markets in this area, but is by no means the only market.

The Coventry Farmers’ Market, for the majority of its Thursday night openings, is smaller than North Union yet features many farmers, food purveyors and artisans who are unique to that market. On June 23, July 14 and August 11 it is an integral part of the Coventry Street Fairs. Nearly 50 participants line the streets of Coventry with their wares as Coventry restaurants offer outdoor dining and merchants celebrate with sidewalk sales.

Markets like Coventry not only help support the farmers in this area; they help support local merchants. With the many new “town centers” cropping up east, west and south; it is the older neighborhoods that need your readers’ ongoing support.

So, please visit Coventry. Go to Peninsula and visit the market developed by Cuyahoga Valley Conservancy. Visit the markets in Medina, Oberlin, Painesville and elsewhere.

Support your local farmers and support your local merchants.

Myra G. Orenstein
CATV, Inc., Consultant for the Coventry Village Special Improvement District

Your insight on Providence House in the March issue created images that neither my wife nor I can forget. Maybe because we haven’t been blessed with children, our hearts and spirits go out to the many couples who work hard to parent their children while holding down jobs, fostering careers and just trying to deal with life. That’s why, when families hit a glitch in the road – as we all do at one time or another – we appreciate the need for them to catch their collective breath and regroup. Our community is truly blessed by a place such as Providence House that gives families just that kind of opportunity. Many thanks to writer Joe McKenna and the staff who put together the extended coverage for shining the spotlight on a very noteworthy concern.

Paul Matheis
Parma

I really appreciated your story on the editor of Al-Sahafa. I was inspired to find the Web address for the newspaper and to look into the information available. Efforts like these will help to build the better understanding that the times require. Thank you for bringing this newspaper to my attention.

James A. Sturgill
North Lima

Dear Mr. Lax, I am writing again because I know Jonathan Brandis’ birthday is coming up in April. Which brings to mind many memories of Jonathan and his acting as well as the fine person he was. Your memoriam to him strikes a chord inside of me. I have a copy of The Year That Trembled dvd and watch it quite a lot and each time is like seeing something that I may have missed from watching it before. I enjoy your writing Mr. Lax, you have a good way with the words you put down. I have come to know about this magazine through the msn group about Jonathan on TO2B, it is a great group of people there. I hope Mr and Mrs Gregory Brandis are aware of what you have written about their son. Well thanks again.

Joanne Kelsey
Winslow, Maine

To the editor; We want to thank Northern Ohio Live and particularly Scott Lax for the wonderful article about our Cleveland Boychoir in the March edition. Scott did a masterful job of writing about our boys, their families, and what we’re trying to accomplish through our program. I know that the boys and their families will also be thrilled about the piece. In a very subtle way Scott captured the realities of what some of these boys are up against in their daily lives, and what participation in the Boychoir has meant to them. I’m sure that many of your readers have not been aware of the BoyChoir, and this article will certainly go a long way toward making our efforts better known in the Greater Cleveland community. Again, thank you! We are very grateful.

Sincerely, Bill and Carol Foley
Chagrin Falls

Thanks to Mr. Scott Lax for his wonderful memorial to Jonathan Brandis.

Joanne Kelsey

I want to thank Scott Lax for his article “In Memory of Jonathan Brandis.” Jonathan was a special person to all those who knew him! It must have been really painful for Mr. Lax to write about him. His article brought on many tears from his fans, not for grief, but for the happy memories that Jonathan left us. I hope you send a copy to Mr. & Mrs. Brandis! They love hearing stories about the good times we all had with Jonathan.

Again thanks for letting Mr. Lax write for this magazine! He is a wonderful writer and friend!

Sincerely, Ginger Lewis
Elkin, North Carolina

Just a quick note to let you know how much we enjoy this columns by Laura Taxel, especially her article about the Three Birds Restaurant in Lakewood. We tried that restaurant shortly after seeing her article and it was exactly as described from the wonderful patio to the food and desserts. That column is definitely appreciated by this reader. Thought you should know that.

Martin G. Striegl
The Evarts Tremaine Flicker Company, Cleveland

I would like to commend the Northern Ohio Live editorial staff and writers of the July 2004 articles, “Living Well-Caregivers – Take Care” by Robert Sberna, and “Knowledge Is Power” by Sarah R. Sphar.

Thank you for sharing such valuable and much needed information, not only on a personal level from an actual caregiver, but with the inclusion of such a comprehensive Resource Guide for Caregivers. Education regarding community services allows our elders to remain independent and in their own homes for as long as possible while providing much needed respite and support for the caregivers who work or are elderly themselves.

Adult Day Services are one of the lesser known support services for caregivers and it was a delight to see this valuable service mentioned. We are a very lucky community to have such an insightful staff who recognizes the need to publish this type of information. Thank You.

Debbie DelCorso
SARAH Care of Canton and Belden Village, Canton

As a follow-up to David Budin’s article on “How to Make Visitors Flock to Cleveland…,” I’d like to suggest a contest for your readers. Suppose your best friends from out-of -town were coming to visit Cleveland for the first time. What would you do to show off our great city? Could you assemble a perfect three day weekend for them?

I began thinking about the wild contrasts possible: sporting events, museum tours, nightclubs, Cleveland Orchestra (winter or summer), West Side Market, Mentor Headlands, the Towpath, GoodTime II at night, Lakeview Cemetery, Playhouse Square, etc. What restaurants would you show off? Parker’s? Heck’s? Luchita’s? Pacific East? Pnom Penh? Great Lakes Brewery? Where would you go for the best kielbasa and pierogi?

The idea would be – these are YOUR friends. You can’t do it all. What would you do to convince them that you’re in the greatest location in the nation? NOL would pick what looked like the best (most varied?) three weekend packages and try them out. And then I’d like to see some local travel companies put some of these weekends together and advertise them on the Net.

Hester Lewellen
Cleveland Heights

I spend every summer in Ohio and I find your site very informative. Thank you!

Michelle Knight
Pennsylvania

Comments on a Commentary
I am writing in response to the commentary article, Here’s an Idea, by Mr. Scott Lax. Although I do not subscribe to the idea of war, the idea Mr. Lax proposes sounds okay by me. I am a 47-year old male so of course I would be included.

However, in Mr. Lax’s list of candidates to be drafted, I noticed a glaring omission. Why is William Jefferson Clinton, who also avoided the draft (and protested the war in Vietnam on foreign soil) not listed? Is it because of Mr. Lax’s personal politics or is it just an oversight? Why just members of the administration who profit politically and financially from war be included? Why not include all people 40-65 years of age, men and women? Sounds slightly selective to me.

Mr. Lax, why not just say any registered republican should be sent to war? Is that it?

Why not just say plain and simply if I, a 47-year old, would like to take the place of his 17-year old son in a draft, I should be allowed to do so? No restrictions on age or sex.

Gabriel Gaspar
Lakewood

NOL’s New Online Look
Wow! Kudos to the new Web page designer. Looks great! Easy to navigate, logical, and attractive. What a nice new look.

Laura Kennelly
Berea

March Letters Discuss Bloomers
Just a note to JD Noll about “EARLY BLOOMERS”. He/she mentioned wich hazel as an early bloomer. In fact wich hazel is the last to bloom in the fall. Normally in late October. What the heck is a Japanese Anemone? In our “Nothern Ohio” we expect to find CANADA, FALSE RUE, RUE, AND WOOD ANEMONES. You might want to note that trilliums were once abundant, but now have browsed to being rare by white tail deer. Our native dogwood is being wiped out by an imported fungus.

John M. Lillich
Willoughby Hills

From the author, J.D. Noll:
There are, in fact two types of witch hazel – one DOES bloom in the fall and one DOES bloom in the spring. I had both types at my house and 5-acre virgin woods. My current office is located next to a garden center, which carries both varieties as well. As far as trilliums – I had zillions of them in my woods, not only white, but maroon, too. And I had deer who ate them. Nevertheless, they bloomed profusely and without fail each and every spring! I also know that the native dogwoods are being destroyed by anthrax disease, but they can still be found in the woods – I had them, too. Furthermore, you can experience their beauty in any of the Cuyahoga, Lorain and Lake County Metroparks as well as along the wooded roadsides. Granted, they aren’t as prolific as they used to be, but they are hardly extinct. I hike the trails in many parks and woodlands and know this to be true. Finally, in most books on Ohio native wildflowers, readers will find the name Japanese anemone alongside rue anemone, false anemone and wood anemone.

Hi. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the Feb. issue. I especially enjoyed the articles by Jayne Eiben. I loved the article about Draegar’s. I have gone there for years, and it is exactly as she said. Her article about the orchestra was excellent too. Will we be seeing more of her in issues to come?? I hope so. Thanks for a great publication.

Marilyn McCormick
Cleveland

Smoke-Free Delights Diners
Thank you so much for your “smokefree restaurant” designation. This is an important factor in choosing a restaurant for me and makes your publication and website an even more useful resource. Kudos to Northern Ohio Live!

Monica Miller
Wooster

As I read my January issue of Northern Ohio Live, I noticed that your restaurant listings now include a logo for “Smoke-Free”. Thank you for making it possible for me (and many other diners) to more easily choose a restaurant that will not only provide the cuisine I like in the location I choose, but will also enable me to enjoy a delicious meal in a healthful environment. Your new format with the “Smoke-Free” logo is greatly appreciated!

Kathleen Kne
Chagrin Falls

The city of Shaker Heights has an excellent animal shelter taking care of lost and stray animals in Shaker Heights. All cats are maintained until they are returned to their owner or adopted. Dogs are maintained for several days, returned to their owner or adopted and if not they go to the County kennel. All adopted felines are spay/neutered, tested and vacinated. All adopted dogs are spay/neutered, tested and vacinated. The shelter is staffed by the Shaker Heights Animal Warden and community volunteers who take care of the facility and animals. S.A.F.E. inc [501c3], Shaker Animal Friendship Endeavor, furnishs the medical care, food and kitty litter.

Fran Bayless
S.A.F.E. volunteer
shakeronline.com

Diagnosis 2020. An excellent article with the exception of some political correctness regarding hospitals, physicians, and insurance companies. The rise of niche players may have a beneficial impact on the existing institutions to become more competitive by becoming more responsive to stakeholders and patients.

Dennis R. Boen
Wooster

Thanks for a great article regarding pet adoption. This past June I adopted a puppy that I found on petfinder.org from a shelter in Pennsylvania. She has brought much joy to our lives. Our 18 yr old dog had passed away in March and our household was missing animal companionship. I now have the sweetest canine friend, “Sophie”, thanks to petfinder! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article, I hope many more people will adopt animals that need good homes.

Amy Nemecek
Cleveland

Our firm was a proud sponsor of the Northern Ohio Live 2003 Awards of Achievement. We wanted to take this opportunity to applaud Northern Ohio Live, and in particular Event Coordinator Gail Kerzner, for this superb event. We were amazed at the caliber of recipients and nominees. We were delighted to be present for award acceptances by recipients including Harvey Pekar, Dr. Raymond Onders, and many other amazing and colorful recipients as the delightful Angela White. It was a true celebration of Cleveland with an incredible cross section of the best and brightest in attendance. There could not have been a better way to showcase our firm’s arrival in Cleveland. The event was flawlessly presented. Kudos to Northern Ohio Live and all participants.

M. Colette Gibbons and Barbara J. Smith
Schottenstein Zox & Dunn

Fantastic Job!
Please congratulate all those involved in tonight’s “Awards of Achievement” on the great job they did. What an accomplishment to do all the careful evaluation of the nominations, to pick the finalists and winners, and to pull off an event far better than any “Academy Awards.”

Jean Triner
Triner Associates
Gates Mills

I very much enjoyed Joe McKenna’s treatise on Bob Dolgan. Captured both the guy and the times. Those were happy days when whole families could enjoy together great sports figures and performances without taking out a second mortgage. Thanks for the memories…

Mary Englert
Lakewood

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the Bob Dolgan profile, “A Good Sport,” in your August issue. Mr. Dolgan is such a gold mine of the human side of local (and national) sports. As your writer, Mr. McKenna, sees him, Dolgan comes across as the kind of guy you’d like to buy a beer and then sit back while he spins his yarns for hour after hour.

This town thrives on cars, sports and rock and roll. Why not draw on resources such as Mr. Dolgan to paint a mural of our shared popular culture? Those facets of pop culture carry just as much as art, film and dance. Perhaps you can send Mr. McKenna in search of the other side of Cleveland’s culture.

Paul Matheis
Parma

You are fortunate to have a talented writer like Joseph F. McKenna on your staff. He has the music of the Auld Sod running through his veins. Thanks for the great article.

Bob Dolgan
Plain Dealer sports writer

I just received my August issue today and, being a passionate bread-maven, was intrigued by the ’Bread For Body And Soul’ title on the cover. Turning to the last page I found the article by Laura Faye Traxel delightful. It says in just one page why I live where I do, in Cleveland Heights, not only because of the numerous bakeries nearby but also because of the spirit of community, rather than anonymity, that is so common here.

Martin Cooperman
Cleveland Heights

I just read Laura Taxel’s review of Mallorca. She is writing better than ever – entertaining and judiciously helpful.

Nina B. Esrati
Shaker Heights

Considering I have written for almost every publication John Ettorre mentioned in his “Son Of A Gunlocke” article (May issue, NOL), I had to smile when I saw Bill Gunlocke’s photo on the page.

All the names in the article brought a lot of smiles and good thoughts back to me. Raise a glass to Bill Gunlocke, he deserves the recogition when it comes to newspapers in Cleveland.

John’s descendants paragraph needs a little fixing, though.

When the Edition went down for the final time, three “children” emerged: The Free Times, City Reports and The River Burns. City Reports went down first, but eventually spawned OhioOnline, still up and running at http://www.ohioonline.com. The River Burns morphed into the Downtown Tab (John should have gotten Bill’s thoughts on that adventure when we were both there), while the leftover staff members from the Tab wound up at City News.

John did mix the order up a bit, but not by much, so no harm, no foul.

Peanuts
Peanuts Ink
North Olmsted

This June 2003 issue is outstanding. So many well written articles and so much information. It is a joy to open the pages.

Audrey Thomas
Walton Hills

As a subscriber to Northern Ohio Live Magazine and one who uses the internet to find information on restaurants and entertainment, I would like to suggest that your publication and website restaurant listings contain information on which restaurants are smoke-free. This can be done by a special logo on each listing (you already have a logo for expense and credit cards that are accepted) or by a special section that would list these smoke-free restaurants. For those individuals who have difficulty with asthma or other respiratory problems, entering a restaurant through a smoke-filled bar, waiting for a table in a smoke-filled bar or entrance near such a bar, accessing a restroom through a smoke-filled bar or smoking section are all instances that make dining out in such establishments a physical impossibility or a source of great physical discomfort. Those of us who would choose a smoke-free restaurant must phone each restaurant we are considering and ask about the smoking policy – a tedious process. Even in the Gourmet Guide, the restaurant information only says “yes” to No Smoking Section. It does not tell me if I will have to wait in a smoke-filled area or pass through one to enter the restaurant or use the restroom. Amazingly, of the restaurants in your Gourmet Guide, only Great Lakes Brewing Company is totally smoke-free in restaurant and bar and, even more amazingly, several restaurants have no area that is non-smoking! It would be wonderful to find a smoke-free restaurant as quickly as we find the information for which restaurants are in certain parts of town, serve different types of food, accept certain credit cards, or cost a certain amount of money. Aren’t our health and physical comfort much more important than these other factors? Statistics show that 75% of Clevelanders do not smoke. And the 25% who do smoke will go out with their non-smoking friends to a non-smoking restaurant in deference to their friends’ wishes. This is a big market. Do us all a favor and list these smoke-free restaurants. Perhaps that will encourage other restaurants to follow suit! Why would restaurants that pride themselves on their excellent chefs and superb cuisine taint that experience and numb the taste buds with cigarette smoke?

Kathleen Kne
Chagrin Falls