Fun

Look Who’s Tri-ing

Local Athletes Compete on Land and In Water

By Stacy Rhea

Swimming, biking, running.

The sport of triathlon is when an athlete does all three in one long, grueling race. It’s not just for the young and buff. Watch any triathlon and you’ll see a wave of 50-plus athletes mixed in — and they’re not in the back of the pack.

The length of each portion of a triathlon varies. Sometimes the swimming portion is in a lake or the ocean. Biking is the longest section — 50 or more miles is not uncommon. Distances for the running portion are shorter, but still tough because they come at the end of the triathlon. Ironman triathlons tend to be considerably longer than conventional triathlons.

So why would anyone want to do it? Meet three Northeast Ohio triathletes and find out why one type of competition isn’t enough — they want all three.

Barb Thomas: 61
Residents: Broadview Heights
First Triathlon: 2012, Fairport Harbor

Sports have been part of Barb Thomas’ life since she was a child. Her mother played semi-pro softball and her father was a track star, so it’s no wonder Thomas is a lifelong athlete. At 14, Thomas won the YWCA nationals.

Later, as a mother of four, Thomas supported and coached her children in a variety of activities. One of Thomas’ fondest memories is when her daughter and son competed in the USAT Nationals with her. Her daughter won a national title in her age group.

A High Point:

Ironman 70.3 World Championship, Sunshine Coast, Australia, September 2016. She finished 13th in her age group.

Thomas’ Advice for a Newbie:

“Start out slow. Keep moving and just go out and have fun.

For our May/June issue, Medina photographer Kim Stahnke, Boomer art director Laura Chadwick, magazine publisher Brad Mitchell and I met up with rocker/songwriter Michael Stanley at Cleveland’s famed Agora Theatre and Ballroom.

The setting was a good one. After all, Stanley along with hundreds of musicians, have played the Agora, both at its Euclid Avenue location and its previous locations in Little Italy and near Cleveland State.

Our Boomer team got there early to scout shots. We walked through the dark and narrow hallways, explored the two stages, checked out lighting options and then ventured outdoors into a parking lot and a side alley. What you see above and in the magazine are just a few of Kim’s great shots.

As for Michael, he was extremely cooperative while we worked on the shoot, gamely sitting on fire escapes and perching on the stage. During our hour-long shoot he was as cool in person as you would imagine.

Our July/August issue continues with a focus on NEO’s role in rock history. Our pop culture columnist Mike Olszewski will tell us about why rocker Meatloaf credits Cleveland with the success of his pivotol album “Bat Out of Hell.”

Who doesn’t like flowers?

Trust us, they’re even better when you know what you’re looking at.

The blooming tapestry at nearby Holden Arboretum changes weekly. You can catch flamboyant rhododendron there now, along with patches of sturdy lupine, delicate iris and other late spring beauties.

Visit HoldenArb.org for a preview. Then check out the show for yourself at the arboretum’s Warren H. Corning Visitor Center at 9550 Sperry Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is free for members, $10 for non-members with select discounts.

Arts

Concert & Festival Season

No Excuse to Stay Home

By Breanna Mona

Summer may just be getting started, but it’s already sizzling with these red hot shows and festivals.

Whether you prefer your outings big or small, your seasonal calendar just got a bit fuller. Check out these sensational headliners and something-for-everyone festivals — and good luck picking just one.

Star-Studded Lineup

Quicken Loans Arena is hosting a couple of major milestone performances this season. First up, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Neil Diamond celebrates the big 5-0 with his 50th anniversary 2017 world tour May 30. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers are on what may be their final tour, celebrating 40 years. Petty recently confessed to Rolling Stone Magazine, “I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was thinking this might be the last big one. We’re all on the backside of our 60s. I have a granddaughter now I’d like to see as much as I can. I don’t want to spend my life on the road.” They’re coming June 10.

Other concerts: It’s always hip to be square with Huey Lewis & The News. Check out their Hard Rock Rocksino performance June 10. Paul Simon’s 2017 tour proceeds will benefit the Half-Earth Project, an initiative of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. Be a part of the effort June 13 at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica.

Billy Joel knows how to fill a stadium, after breaking records with over 33 consecutive shows at Madison Square Garden. Perhaps the most anticipated show of the summer, Joel is up to bat at Progressive Field on July 14. Rod Stewart & Cyndi Lauper will make quite a pair at Blossom Music Center on July 28, right before James Taylor & Bonnie Raitt hit the same stage Aug.

Hobbies

Lessons Learned

The Sounds of Music

By Margaret Briller

Maybe you were a piano lesson dropout, or gave up the guitar after mastering a few chords. Or perhaps money was scarce — and time and attention were even scarcer.

These local music lovers put music lessons back on their bucket lists and are glad they did.

Going for It

Rick Brouman of Pepper Pike started guitar lessons at 63.

“I’ve wanted to play since I was a kid, but my mother always wanted me to play piano, so I played piano,” Brouman says.

“As time passed, life — working and raising a family — got in the way, so I had to put this hobby on the back burner. I’ve always loved the guitar, and the time seemed right, so here I am now.”

Brouman takes lessons from instructor John Rupert at the Sam Ash Music Store in Lyndhurst. He purchased a striking red PRS SE Custom 24 electric guitar.

“I’m a sucker for red,” Brouman says. “The bird inlays are a pretty cool option on many PRS models. But I didn’t want to make the investment without taking lessons from a qualified instructor. I’ve only had four lessons so far, and I’m still at the stage where I might struggle to find the correct placement of my fingers. But I have noticed that I can now pick up the guitar and play some chords reasonably well. I’m thrilled that I am starting to actually make sounds that resemble music, and I’m looking forward to getting better with time”

Having a flexible work schedule gives Brouman more time to pursue his dream. “I work from home so I can pick up the guitar and practice multiple times during the day, which I do.”

This is Super, Man

From Cleveland to Krypton

Superman was born on Krypton, but he was created in Cleveland.

The original superhero is getting a supersized tribute at the Cleveland Public Library starting this month and running through the end of the year.

“Superman: From Cleveland to Krypton” honors not only Superman but also his creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in an exhibit that stretches across three floors of the main library at 325 Superior Ave.

The exhibit follows the world’s greatest superhero from his creation in Cleveland to his growing international popularity, his influence on the current superhero craze, his connection to social justice and immigration issues, and the pride Cleveland maintains for its homegrown hero.   

Highlights include a supersized Superman statue by David Deming, rare items from the Mike Curtis Collection of Superman Memorabilia and other prominent collectors, and a costume worn by Brandon Routh in the 2006 movie “Superman Returns.”

Curtis, the writer of the Dick Tracy comic, donated more than 15,000 items to the library.