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shakershaker NORTHEAST OHIO’S PREMIER COMMUNITY lifelife Meka Asonye T he Tribe’s Winter Development Program Director WhatWhat HappensHappens WhenWhen IndiansIndians ProspectsProspects Bunk in Shaker Homes april | may 2008 PLUS meet Shaker’s new mayor $3.50 shakeronline.com In 2007, Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer once again dominated our local real estate market, listing 54% of the homes that successfully sold in Shaker Heights. In fact, we actually listed and successfully sold twice as many homes as our three nearest competitors combined! What about homes that transferred title in Shaker Heights in 2007? Which company sold the highest volume of residential real estate? In 2007 we represented buyers and sellers in 66% of the total value of residential real estate sold in Shaker Heights, almost three times as much as our three nearest competitors combined. These remarkable numbers prove that once again the residents and prospective residents of Shaker are DELIGHTED with the professionalism and excellence of our REALTORS®. Want to find out why we are “Action Central” for Shaker Heights real estate? Please call the Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer Shaker Heights Office at 216.751.8550. Any of our agents will be happy to showcase our unique marketing programs for you or find the home of your dreams. And don’t forget to ask about our 2008 Homes of Distinction marketing program, setting a new gold standard for the real estate industry. APRIL IS NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH. Please join Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968. Data obtained in whole or in part by the Northern Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service for 1-1-2007 to 12-31-2007. NORMLS neither guarantees nor is responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by NORMLS may not reflect all real estate activity on the market. Real Estate Sales: An Exciting Career Option! Considering a full-time career? Do you think like an entrepreneur? Please contact Myra White, VP and Branch Manager, at 216.751.8550 or [email protected] Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer • 20710 Chagrin Blvd. • Shaker Heights, OH 44122 • 216.751.8550 contents In 2007, Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer once again dominated our features + departments local real estate market, listing 54% of the homes that successfully sold on the cover: in Shaker Heights. In fact, we actually listed and successfully sold Families in Shaker Heights figure promi- twice as many homes as our three nently in The Cleveland nearest competitors combined! Indians Winter Develop- What about homes that transferred ment Program. 8 title in Shaker Heights in 2007? Cover photograph Which company sold the highest Marc Golub volume of residential real estate? In 2007 we represented buyers and ELITE PROSPECTS 24 A LONG WAY ELEGANT GARDENS 36 sellers in 66% of the total value of FROM LEGO 30 Find gardens to match residential real estate sold in Shaker An unusual engineering your style on the Shaker class at Shaker High is Historical Society’s 4th Heights, almost three times as much raising the science bar in annual garden tour. as our three nearest competitors American high schools. combined. These remarkable numbers prove that once again the residents and prospective residents of Shaker are DELIGHTED with the professionalism and excellence of our REALTORS®. more departments: City News 3 Want to find out why we are “Action Central” for Shaker Heights real estate? Please call Two exciting projects on the the Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer Shaker Heights Office at 216.751.8550. City’s recreation agenda have Any of our agents will be happy to showcase our unique marketing programs for you or find come to fruition. the home of your dreams. And don’t forget to ask about our 2008 Homes of Distinction Recreation & Leisure marketing program, setting a new gold standard for the real estate industry. PULLOUT SECTION Spring activities. APRIL IS NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH. Please join Howard Hanna Library News 15 Smythe Cramer in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Federal Celebrate Older Americans Month at the library. Fair Housing Act of 1968. EMERGENCY STARS ON MEET THE MAYOR 48 Data obtained in whole or in part by the Northern Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service for 1-1-2007 to 12-31-2007. PREPAREDNESS shaker’s ice 46 How Earl Leiken will Out & About 63 NORMLS neither guarantees nor is responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by NORMLS may not reflect all real estate WANTS YOU 42 Calendar of events. activity on the market. Check out Thornton rise to Shaker’s 21st When it comes to pre- Park’s annual Spring century challenges. Shaker Observer 76 paring a community Ice Spectacular in May. Real Estate Sales: An Exciting Career Option! for a potential disaster, ’S Not Fun Getting Smugged. Considering a full-time career? Do you think like an entrepreneur? it takes a village. Please contact Myra White, VP and Branch Manager, at 216.751.8550 or [email protected] Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer • 20710 Chagrin Blvd. • Shaker Heights, OH 44122 • 216.751.8550 shaker renters... shaker life ready to become a apRil | MAY 2008 VoluME 26 issue 2 SHAKER LIFE shaker homeowner? 3400 Lee Road Shaker Heights, OH 44120 WEBSITE: shakeronline.com EMAIL: [email protected] low-interest VOICE MAIL: (216) 491-1459 FAX: (216) 491-1408 down payment TTY: (216) 491-3161 EDITOR assistance loans Rory O’Connor [email protected] are available in DESIGN & PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jennifer Dial designated CITY NEWS AND REAL ESTATE NEWS EDITOR Vicki Zoldessy neighborhoods [email protected] LIBRARY NEWS EDITOR call 491-1457 Margaret Simon OUT & ABOUT for more info [email protected] SHAKER SCHOOLS EDITORIAL ADVISOR fund for the future of shaker heights Peggy Caldwell enhancing neighborhood diversity since 1986 AdVERTISING MANAGER John Moore, (216) 531-4044 [email protected] Ad SALES REPRESENTATIVE Rebecca Wong Friends don’t let CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Brandt, Gay Eyerman, friends make a move Beth Friedman-Romell, Rita Kueber, Nancy O’Connor, Jennifer Proe, Sue Starrett without calling us first. CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Janet Century, Marc Golub, Green Street Studio (Jeanne Van Atta & Bill Meckler), Shaker’S RELOCATION EXPERTS HAVE: Caydie Heller, Kevin G. Reeves • Shaker information packets READER COMMENTS: Please send comments and observations to Letters to the Editor, • School & neighborhood [email protected] or to Shaker Life, 3400 Lee Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44120. contacts Letters may be edited for publication. • Certified Shaker rental updates STORY SUBMISSIONS: Shaker Life does not accept unsolicited editorial material, but story suggestions from residents are welcome. Send suggestions by email • Details on financial incentives or letter. Please do not call. We cannot respond to every suggestion but each will be given consideration. for eligible home buyers Freelancers: Please email the editor for guidelines. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Kim Golem, (216) 491-1419 SHAKER LIFE is published six times per year by the Call (216) 491-1332 or visit City of Shaker Heights, Department of Communications & Outreach, and distributed free to residents of the Shaker Heights City School District. Extra copies are available shakeronline.com at area newsstands for $3.50. See shakeronline.com for locations. For general City information, call (216) 491-1400 or City of Shaker Heights EMAIL: [email protected] 3400 Lee Road The views of the individuals and organizations Shaker Heights, OH 44120 (216) 491-1400 interviewed in Shaker Life are not necessarily the official views of the City of Shaker Heights. Affirmatively furthering fair housing for over 30 years © City of Shaker Heights. All Rights Reserved. WWW.shakeRonline.coM life city news We-a Culpa The median trail connects with the From Our Readers Beachwood City Park trail and beyond I really enjoyed Jennifer Proe’s article In the February/ – giving residents access to many miles of continuous paved trails. about the rental market in Shaker March issue of Heights [“Easy Living,” February/ Shaker Life, Earl Beloved Shaker picnic destination, Horseshoe Lake Park, is also a must-see. March]. It’s nice to know that Shaker Williams was housing has something for everyone, i n a d v e r t e n t l y With over $800,000 in renovations, the park is ready to host a whole new and that the city is working hard to omitted from maintain Shaker’s status as an attractive the story about generation of outdoor enthusiasts. The improvements include: place to live for all residents, regardless re-elected City of their ability and/or desire to buy a Council mem- • Two new picnic shelters house. I have friends who are in the bers. We apolo- process of down-sizing, hopefully in gize for the over- • New asphalt walking/biking trails • Boardwalk Shaker Heights, and I will certainly sight. put them in touch with Judy Steehler’s Williams is a staff attorney with • Climbing web • Fossil digging pit relocation services. Thanks for making the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing me aware of this useful City resource. Authority and was assistant Cuyahoga • Toddler play area, with age- County public defender and an assis- appropriate equipment – Molly Walsh tant Cuyahoga County prosecutor. He • Swing set volunteers as a member of the board Your article, “On the Home Front,” Every element of the park is designed of directors of the Mt. Pleasant NOW [December/January] was a refreshing Development Corp., which is engaged to bring people in closer touch with story about Shaker residents with fam- in a multi-million dollar economic nature. Cleveland Heights artist Debbie ily members fighting the global war on and community development invest- Apple-Presser created a public art piece terror. Beth Friedman-Romell wrote, ment program for the Kinsman Road for the park in the shape of a spider web “you don’t think about Shaker Heights area.