Table of Contents


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June Cover

Featured Articles

Rating The Suburbs 2019

Finding a suburb that fits your lifestyle can be as much art as science. Let our guide to the best places to live craft your next move. With great schools, safe neighborhoods and hot housing markets, these 20 suburbs top our 2019 list.

The Story Of One Couple's Birthing Journey

After struggling with infertility, miscarriages and surgeries for the last seven years, one couple shares their journey of sorrow, perservance and joy to create the family they were meant to be. 

Food + Drink

4 Can't Beet Summer Recipes

Give this earthy vegetable a chance with four dishes that bring out its sweet, playful side.

5 Root Beer Floats We Love

From classics to newbies, we're embracing this creamy, fizzy summer drink.

Dessert We Love: Dough Rae Me

This edible cookie dough comes in more than 40 flavors.

Inside Michael Schwartz's Simple, Wood-Fired Approach

Michael's Genuine Food & Drink brings Miami-born, James Beard-winning food to Shaker Heights.

Landmark Smokes More Experienced BBQers

A nontraditional route to pit-mastery sets apart the chefs behind the smokehouse on the border of Lakewood and Cleveland.

Mars Bar's Expanded Eatery Eclipses Dive Bar Eats

The Lakewood dive bar now features a huge dining room and elevated pub menu.

Pita Pitting: Sittoo's vs. Zaytoon Lebanese Kitchen

With two Lebanese restaurants now calling Playhouse Square home, we give you a primer on what to get and where to get it.

Quick Bite: Opal On Pearl

Opened in the former Drink Bar & Grill space, this Cleveland eatery embraces small plates.

In the CLE

1976: Ralph Perk's Hair Catches Fire

The mayor was forced to remedy the embarrassing situation with a hair transplant from the Cleveland Clinic.

Activism Comes Alive In Cleveland

A long-time protester shares war stories and thoughts on the current state of activism.

Cleveland Segway Tour Guide's Three Favorite Spots

The two-wheeled tour is soaked in the city's history.

Columbus Crew's Wil Trapp On Ohio Soccer, USMNT's Gold Cup Appearance

The captain of the USMNT team and Columbus Crew Midfielder talks growing up in Ohio's soccer machine and previews the U.S. game against Trinidad and Tobago.

Copper Moon Coffee Is Downtown's Best-Kept Secret

But with a new street-facing entrance, the shop is ready for a coming-out party.

Dissecting R.E.M.'s "Cuyahoga" 50 Years After The Fire

Written by Michael Stipe, the protest song still speaks to the American condition.

Editor's Note: What Makes A Great Suburb?

Cleveland's number one suburb is made of more than just freeway access and taxes.

Football Fanatic: American Outlaw President On Fandom

Jason Gillette, president of the American Outlaws' Cleveland Chapter, explains what's special about USMNT fandom.

Journeys On The Cuyahoga

Fifty years after the river caught fire, one writer travels the Cuyahoga and experiences its legacy, beauty and danger.

Soccer Has Arrived In Cleveland

As the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team dribbles into town this month, soccer fandom takes root in Northeast Ohio.

The State Of Cleveland's Unions

Three local leaders weigh-in from the labor front.

The Whimsical Art Of Folk & Flora Design Co.

Aubree Bauer, the Flea's first artist in-residence, takes us through her work.

Three Soccer Pubs We Love

From Lakewood to Ohio City, soccer fans gather at these bars — often in the morning — to cheer on their favorite squads. 

Entertainment

50th Hessler Street Fair Could Be Its Last

We look back on the Cleveland institution's historic legacy.

Akron's Harris Stanton Gallery Closes This Month

Before her brick-and-mortar shop closes June 1, we talk to owner Meg Harris Stanton about her career, why she's going digital and the future of art.

Cai Guo-Qiang Debuts Fiery Exhibit For Cuyahoga50

The artist's fire-based piece is on display at Cleveland Museum of Art through Sept. 22. 

Inside Akron Civic Theatre's Upgrades

Coming along with Main Street's other development projects, the upgrade is a big deal, but theater officials need some help.

Rock Hall Honors 25 Years Of Warped Tour

The retrospective features tour gear and costumes from the early days of Fall Out Boy, Katy Perry and more.

SNL's Vanessa Bayer's Children's Book Confronts Childhood Illness

The Moreland Hills native plumbs her own experience with childhood leukemia to comfort young patients and their friends.

Summer Reads: Three Local Non-Fiction Releases

Add these local, new-to-you nonfiction titles to your summer reading list.

Tri-C Jazz Fest: Three Acts To See

The 40th anniversary show sets up shop in Playhouse Square June 27-29.

At Home

4 Tips For Green Grass

Keep your lawn lush and green with these four tips from Thrive Lawn & Plant Healthcare.

A Pepper Pike Patio Prime For Pool Partying

Pat Beam, owner and landscape architect of 9th Avenue Designs in Mayfield Heights, walks us through the project.

Cocktail-Inspired Hues For Your Summer Interior Design

Sherwin-Williams shows us how to welcome summer with paint colors that match popular cocktails. 

Homebuyers Guide: Are You Financially Prepared?

Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland helps you financially prep to buy a home.

Homebuyers Guide: Finding The One

It's a tough real estate market for buyers, who might feel pressured to outbid multiple offers to get the perfect home. Here are some smart home search strategies to get what you want in a seller's market.

Homebuyers Guide: How To Submit A Strong Offer

These three tips help you present an attractive offer on the house you love.

Rating The Suburbs 2019

Finding a suburb that fits your lifestyle can be as much art as science. Let our guide to the best places to live craft your next move. With great schools, safe neighborhoods and hot housing markets, these 20 suburbs top our 2019 list.

Rating The Suburbs: 3 Innovative Educational Programs

Streetsboro High School, North Ridgeville High School and T.C. Gurney Elementary School are going above and beyond the normal curriculum.

Rating the Suburbs: Colleen Fritz's Moreland Hills

The marketing professional and her family settled in this year's No. 1 suburb for its serene atmosphere filled with nature and plenty of parks.

Rating The Suburbs: Defining Gazebos

These eye-catching gazebos redefine beauty in their local communities.

Rating The Suburbs: Festive Happenings

Party across suburban lines alongside your neighbors at these fun festivals.

Rating The Suburbs: How We Did It

The algorithm rules all. Here's a sneak peek at the methodology behind the Rating The Suburbs rankings.

Rating The Suburbs: Jen Rome's Willoughby

Living in this East Side suburb comes with a lot of perks, such as a historic downtown, easy highway access and low taxes.

Rating The Suburbs: Katie Bradesca's Avon Lake

She grew up in this lakefront community and is building a life here with her husband, Dan, and three kids.

Rating The Suburbs: Keith Langford's Shaker Heights

The longtime resident found the East Side community was a place where he could grow and evolve with his family.

Rating The Suburbs: Larry Berthold's Twinsburg

He spends time hiking, golfing and volunteering in the Summit County suburb.

Rating The Suburbs: Library Love

With many cities upping their literary game, you'll want to check out these local libraries.

Rating The Suburbs: Three Awesome Playgrounds

Playtime is the best time. Make the most of it with these playgrounds in Stow, Amherst and Beachwood.

Rating The Suburbs: Three Nearly Completed Construction Projects

We drill down on projects in Aurora, Lakewood and Mentor.

Rating The Suburbs: Tina Byers' Berea

She still lives on the street where she grew up and cherishes this West Side town's welcoming spirit and familial atmosphere.

Style

Akron Transplant We Love: Highland Throwbacks

Akron's favorite vintage shop comes to Lakewood.

Travel & Outdoors

3 Can't-Miss Tribe Promo Games

Sure, we enjoy the game. But lunch boxes, sunglasses and bobbleheads are nice too.

3 Country Concerts Coming To Blossom

We can't wait to line dance at these three shows.

3 Dog Friendly Summer Activities

These events help you roam the town with your furry friend.

4 Bands Rocking Jacobs Pavilion This Summer

Popular bands such as Third Eye Blind are swinging by the outdoor venue this summer.

Amp Up Your Summer With LaureLive

Julia Thomson is one of more than 30 local and national acts that will perform.

Balance And Brews Toasts Your Inner Yogi

Say ohm before saying yum with a yoga class followed by local brews.

Blossom With A Sensory Garden Experience At Rockefeller Greenhouse

The tour takes you past the look of plants and invites you to enjoy their smell, feel and more.

By The Numbers: Parade the Circle At 30

The world-renowned celebration takes over Wade Oval Park this weekend.

Connect With Dear Evan Hansen

The shockingly honest musical confronts social anxiety, suicide and more.

Eat And Drink Your Heart Out At These Foodie Fests

Get your fill of Italian treats, tequila and pierogies.

Explore The Zoo After Dark

Let your true party animal shine at the annual Cleveland Zoological Society's fundraiser.

Fill Up With A Fresh Perspective

This exhibit explores our relationship with our most vital resource: water.

Find Your Spotlight At The BorderLight Festival

Cleveland's first theater festival will showcase international works, local performers and more.

Flare Up Fourth of July With These Firework Displays

Here are four spots to catch the celebration.

Flash Back In Time At Ohio Chautauqua

See some of the 20th century's most memorable figures come to life.

Gather Around Garden Art At Stan Hywet

The exhibit Fused pays homage to the matriarch of the gardens, Gertrude Seiberling.

Love Wins At Pride In The CLE

Free Mom Hugs Ohio will be offering embraces with the hopes of making everyone feel loved and accepted.

Make A Splash On The Water

Here are three ways to get out on the water this summer.

Moon Over Movies In The Park At Summer Cinema

Why watch a film in a crowded theater when you could sprawl out under the Old Brooklyn stars?

Read Between The Lines At Cleveland Public Library's Street Fest

You won't get a shh at this library event that will have live performances, food and more.

Reignite Rock at Forever Warped

The Warped Tour may be over, but the 25th anniversary celebration is still jamming.

Relish In Ragtime Realness

Cain Park's summer production, Ragtime the Musical, explores issues of racism, immigration and women's rights.

Roll Into The Soap Box Derby

Speed into the 82nd annual event and watch as competitors race their handmade fiberglass cars.

Run Wild On The Towpath Trail

Get your running shoes ready for this part of the Towpath Trilogy.

Say Hello To The Newest Zoo Babies

A sloth bear, giraffe and more at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will have you saying awhh on your outing. 

Sing Hakuna Matata At Lion King

The widely popular musical roars through Playhouse this summer.

Swing With The Stars At The MLB All-Star Game

We'll be hoping for some of the same magic that happened the last time Cleveland hosted the game in 1997.

Take A Shot In The Dark At Moonlight Golf

Get lit while golfing Cleveland Metroparks' nine-hole courses after sundown.

Unleash Your Wild Child At Akron KidsFest

The inaugural Akron KidsFest will have STEAM-focused activities and more.

Unwind With World Yo-Yo Champions

It's not the plastic toy we remember, these competitors use aluminum shells and even perform to music.

Water Lantern Fest Floats Into Voinovich Park

The first event lights up the downtown park on June 15.