shakershaker NORTHEAST OHIO’S PREMIER COMMUNITY lifelife Heavenly Hearths p. 25 PLUS: Mad Men in Shaker? p. 56 december | january 2011 $3.50 shakeronline.com Cosmetic artistry. Clinical excellence. <RXGHVHUYHDQHQWLUHWHDPRIUHQRZQHGFRVPHWLFVSHFLDOLVWVGHGLFDWHGWR\RXUEHDXWLIXOUHVXOWV )LQG\RXUWHDPDWFOHYHODQGFOLQLFRUJUHQHZ\RX For same-day appointments, please call 216.444.4004. contents features & departments on the cover: Jan and Richard Hunt’s living room at Sussex Courts. The Chinese motif blends with holiday decorations on the mantel. Photo by Jeanne Van Atta of Green Street Studio LET IT SNOW 25 SHAKER DANCES 32 (ALTERNATIVE) Many Shaker home- Shaker Heights is home POWER PLAYS 39 owners have fireplaces to some of the region’s Solar energy as unique as the homes most popular dance entrepreneurs shine themselves. companies. brightly in Shaker. more departments: City News 3 Mayor Appoints Building Commissioner. The Shaker Schools Update 10 Real Estate News 13 Library News 15 Out & About 59 Calendar of events. THE LANGUAGE WHY A “JEWISH GUY MAD MEN OF ECONOMICS 44 FROM THE EAST SIDE” IN SHAKER? 56 Advertiser Index 67 Economics electives ATTENDS MASS 48 The latest exhibit at at Shaker High are Q&A with resident Shaker Historical Shaker Observer 68 appealing and worth- Marc Nathanson, Society and Museum. Man vs. House while to students. director of the West Side Catholic Center. shaker renters... shakershaker life ready to become a DECEMBER | JANUARY 2011 shaker homeowner? VOLUME 28 ISSUE 6 3400 Lee Road Shaker Heights, OH 44120 WEBSITE: shakeronline.com EMAIL: [email protected] low-interest VOICE MAIL: (216) 491-1459 FAX: (216) 491-1408 TTY: (216) 491-3161 down payment EDITOR assistance loans Rory O’Connor [email protected] are available in DESIGN & PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jennifer Coiley Dial designated CITY NEWS AND REAL ESTATE NEWS EDITOR Vicki Blank neighborhoods [email protected] LIBRARY NEWS EDITOR Margaret Simon call 491-1457 SHAKER SCHOOLS EDITORIAL ADVISOR Peggy Caldwell for more info ADVERTISING MANAGER fund for the future of shaker heights John Moore, (216) 531-4044 [email protected] enhancing neighborhood diversity since 1986 AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE Rebecca Wong CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Brandt, Beth Friedman-Romell, Christopher Johnston, Rita Kueber, Nancy O’Connor, Jennifer Proe, Diana Simeon, Sue Starrett CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Janet Century, Green Street Studio, I believe in Caydie Heller, Kevin G. Reeves, Alex Rivera READER COMMENTS: Please send comments and observations to Letters to the Editor, healthy living. [email protected] or to Shaker Life, 3400 Lee Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44120. I live in Shaker Heights. Letters may be edited for publication. STORY SUBMISSIONS: MICHAEL ROIZEN, MD Shaker Life does not accept unsolicited editorial material, but story suggestions from residents are welcome. Send suggestions by email Chief Wellness Officer, or letter. Please do not call. We cannot respond to every suggestion Cleveland Clinic but each will be given consideration. Co-Founder RealAge® Freelancers: Please email the editor for guidelines. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Kim Golem, (216) 491-1419 SHAKER LIFE is published six times per year by the City of Shaker Heights, Department of Communications & Outreach, and distributed free to residents of the Shaker Heights City School District. Extra copies are available at area newsstands for $3.50. See shakeronline.com for locations. For general City information, call (216) 491-1400 or EMAIL: [email protected] ADA NOTICE: Upon request, the City can provide published materials in alternative formats to accommodate a person with a visual impairment. The views of the individuals and organizations interviewed in Shaker Life are not necessarily the official views of the City of Shaker Heights. © City of Shaker Heights. All Rights Reserved. Printed on recycled paper. Please recycle this magazine. New Neighbors Welcome. Visit shakeronline.com or call 216.491.1332 to learn more. 2 WWW.SHAKERONLINE.COM city news Mayor Appoints Heinz Akers Join the Centennial Making History – Demonstrating as Building Commissioner Celebration! how Shaker is inspired by its progres- sive past while striding confidently Mayor Earl M. Leiken has appointed Committee chairpersons are hard at into its next century. Chairs: Jan De- Heinz Akers as Shaker Heights build- work to begin planning the various activ- vereaux and Ken Kovach. ing commissioner. Akers brings a wealth ities and events that will bring Shaker’s of experience to the position, includ- Centennial Celebration to life. Oppor- Special Events – Bringing new ing more than 20 years with the City of tunities are available for every interest events to life and expanding existing Shaker Heights. Prior to that, he worked and time commitment. Please consider events to celebrate the past and future for the building departments of Cleve- lending your time and talents to one of of Shaker Heights. Chairs: Robb For- land Heights, Beachwood, and Indepen- the following committees to help create ward, Char Glatley, and Brian Glei- dence. a truly memorable celebration. To get sser. Akers is responsible involved, sign up at shakeronline.com for enforcing state (click logo), or e-mail Anne Williams at Be sure to show your centennial pride and local building [email protected]. with a t-shirt ($10) and collectable codes, reviewing buttons, available in four different plans, and process- A Community of Neighbors – Cap- designs for $1 each. T-shirts and but- ing permits. He also turing the feeling of connectedness tons may be purchased at Thornton oversees all inspec- among Shaker neighbors, with activities Park, Shaker Schools Administration tions, complaints, and events that bring us closer together. Building, and the Shaker Heights and investigations Chairs: Vicki Elder and Crickett Karson. Public Library (both Main and Ber- Akers with regard to new tram Woods). All proceeds support building. Culture and Creativity – Highlighting the activities and events of the Cen- “My focus is to ensure that people the extraordinary depth of talent among tennial Celebration. who come into contact with the Build- Shaker residents, and harnessing that ing Department are serviced in a timely creative force for the Centennial cel- manner, whether we are interfacing with ebration. contractors, fielding questions about requirements for new construction, Education and Learning – Focus- or helping residents who are trying to ing on Shaker Heights as a community choose a contractor,” says Akers. where learning, both inside and out- With regard to choosing contractors, side of the classroom, is embraced and Akers offers this advice to residents: nurtured throughout life. Chairs: Glenda “Make sure you are comparing apples to Moss, Judy Stenta, and Sandy Holmes. apples. The lowest bid is not always the best bid. Always ask for references, ask Green and Growing – Creating events to see their permit before starting work, inspired by our reverence for the environ- and when in doubt, call the Building De- ment and our devotion to our communi- partment to be sure they are in compli- ty’s parks, gardens, and trees. Chairs: Ann ance. The more educated you are about Cicarella and Mary Mulligan with assis- the project, the better.” tance from Robyn Minter Smyers. Akers replaces James Ziegler, who re- tired from the Building Department last Health & Wellness – Drawing on August after 17 years of service with the Shaker’s extensive resources, developing City. activities and events that emphasize and promote the overall well-being of the community and its citizens. SHAKERER LIFE DECEMBERDECEMBEER | JANUARYJANUARY 2011 3 city news Don’t Get Snowed – Horseshoe Lake Viewing an inspiration to others.” Ask Contractors to Register Area Donated in Memory of Michael Tucker Historic Upson House Gets Snow plow operators are required to Facelift from Cleveland obtain a permit. City ordinance dic- The Cleveland law firm Tucker, Ellis and Restoration Society tates that “no person shall use a ve- West will donate approximately $13,000 hicle to plow or remove snow from in improvements to Horseshoe Lake Park, A unique piece of pre-Civil War history private property in the City…without in memory of Michael Robert Tucker, son sits quietly in the heart of Shaker Heights, first securing a permit for such vehi- of Christy Cole of Grosse Pointe Shores, ready to be rediscovered. The 1836 cle, issued by the Police Department.” Michigan, and of Shaker residents Robert farmhouse at 19027 Chagrin Boulevard The City publishes a list of licensed and Karen Tucker. Michael was born June recently received special treatment from snowplow contractors, which is updat- 4, 1982 and died April 24, 2010 as a re- the Cleveland Restoration Society, which ed weekly throughout the winter, at sha sult of a rock climbing accident. Robert is now offering the home for public sale. keronline.com. The list is also printed be- Tucker is a partner with Tucker, Ellis and The home’s most recent owners, David low, but is accurate only as of press time. West. and Kristine Saudek, donated the historic Licensed contractors are expected to Michael graduated from University Upson House to the Cleveland Restora- be aware of City ordinances regarding School in 2000, The University of Colo- tion Society last September with the hope proper snow removal. For instance, “No rado in 2004, and the Ohio State Moritz that it would be preserved for posterity. [contractor] removing snow from any College of Law in 2009. He had recently The house is named for its builders, Asa driveway or sidewalk within this City shall returned to Cleveland to serve as the staff and Chloe Carter Upson, settlers from deposit the same on the pavement or side- attorney for Cuyahoga County Common Barkhamsted, Connecticut. walk of any public street or on any tree Pleas Judge Richard J. McMonagle. Mi- Cleveland Restoration Society imme- lawn in any public street, except the tree chael was a passionate outdoorsman who diately set about giving the home a fresh lawn immediately in front of the premises taught rock climbing at the Cleveland look by painting the exterior, repairing a from which the snow is removed.” Snow Rock Gym.