May/June 2017

Cursive

It’s the Write Thing to Do

I nearly missed out on a church raffle prize (a $10 Subway gift card) when the announcer couldn’t read my scrawled signature.

Maybe a cold cut combo isn’t worth an overhaul of my cursive writing skills, but wouldn’t it be nice to have legible handwriting?

State Rep. Marilyn Slaby of Akron agrees. She’s spearheading a movement to require cursive writing instruction for elementary students.

“I feel strongly children still need to learn cursive writing. They need their signature. Many grandparents said they have written their grandkids, and they can’t read it because they haven’t learned cursive,” Slaby says.

“Having taught cursive as an elementary teacher, I understand some of the problems adults have. Yes, I can do cursive so it can be read, but my husband is terrible. He makes me write everything for him. I tell people to slow down and usually write bigger. By slowing down you can concentrate on each letter.”

Slow down. Concentrate. That’s good advice for a lot of things we do. Elevate your cursive game by downloading practice worksheets online. Win write.

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.

Pets

Paws for Play

Have Fun with Your Dog This Summer

By Dr. Anna van Heeckeren

Are you and your dog connecting through play? It might be of benefit for you and your dog, for body and mind.

Each dog has a unique personality, play preference and health status. Consider the health and interests of both you and your dog to help you find an activity that you’ll both enjoy.

Play Styles

Some play may take physical work. There may be running, jumping, squatting or even dancing involved. Some dogs are perfectly happy being a couch potato. Others need extra play in their lives to keep them happy at home. Activities include agility, herding sheep (check out Lake Farmpark in Kirtland), freestyle musical dance and dock jumping. Go to Wikipedia.com to find a much longer list of dog sports.

Before starting any kind of play, make sure you and your dog are fit. Ask your doctor if you’re healthy enough for the physical stress associated with the planned play. Make sure your dog is current on all recommended vaccinations, is on year-round parasite control and doesn’t have any physical ailments that could make play painful.

You may want to consider using a professional dog trainer. The veterinary team led by Dr. Elizabeth Feltes at The Behavior Clinic in Olmsted Falls strongly recommends finding a trainer who has certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (ccpdt.org). Be aware that many dog trainers do not have this certification because it’s not required by law. They will tell you they don’t need it or may try to discredit the certification.

To find a dog trainer, consider reading “How to Choose a Trainer,” available through the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB.org). One dog trainer in the Cleveland area is veterinarian Dr.

Real Estate

Downsize or Right-Size?

Find Your Housing Fit

By Dianna Hosta-Stickney

Adult “boomerang” children. Aging parents. Grandkids.

We may want to downsize as we get older, but a better choice may be “right-sizing” — finding a home that suits not only the way we live but also new family configurations.

Who’s Living with You?

A sprawling home and spacious backyard that was perfect for active toddlers and teens may not have the features that someone in their 50s, 60s or 70s needs or wants. Those who are thinking about how they live today don’t necessary want less space — they want better space.

Housing needs often are determined by who’s living with you. That’s why smaller isn’t always better. If an older loved one is moving in, then maybe you want an in-law suite or two master suites. Accessibility is vital; keep steps to a minimum or eliminate them.

If an adult child needs temporary housing — a job interruption or divorce are two common reasons — then an extra bedroom and bathroom or two may be on your must-have list when house hunting.

And if you find yourself raising grandkids, then space that works for you (easy upkeep, plenty of first-floor living space) and for kids adds another dimension to right-sizing as we age. Sometimes, renovating an existing home can accommodate a variety of ages and needs.

How Do You Live?

In other situations, finding a new home is the best choice. Here’s what is on many house hunters’ lists:

• No “dead space” rooms. Forget the hands-off living room, or overdone media theaters. Rooms have to suit the way you live today.
• Open floor plans are great for entertaining extended family and friends, and allow for better access and movement.

Recess for Grown-ups

Up Your Play Game

By Estelle Rodis-Brown

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

As it turns out, this old proverb rings true, far into adulthood. Too much work and not enough playtime can damage your attitude, your social life and — in full circle fashion — even your productivity. So put play to work for you.

Do You Play?

Our society tends to reject play for adults. Play is considered unproductive, petty, even a guilty pleasure. Adulthood forces us to get serious and set aside childish ways. Between personal and professional responsibilities, there’s no time to play anyway — or so we think.

However, play is just as important for adults as it is for kids, and it should not be neglected. Play brings joy and rejuvenation. It’s also vital for problem solving, creativity and relationships.

In that case, what qualifies as play? Kathryn Orantek is the personal training coordinator for health, physical education and recreation programs at Lorain County Community College. She says, “Play is any activity, structured or unstructured, that allows adults to let go of their inhibitions, forget about the outside world and just have fun.”

Considering her background in health and wellness, Orantek “would love to see people spend more time engaging in physical activity while playing, but I suppose you could apply it to games, coloring, puzzles and such.”

No Goal? That’s the Idea

Play is a state of being that’s purposeless, fun and pleasurable, psychiatrist Stuart Brown, M.D., says in his book “Play.”

The focus is more on the experience than on accomplishing a goal. Play can be art, books, movies, music, comedy, flirting and daydreaming, says Brown, who founded the National Institute for Play.

Ultimately, play is a process that stirs up surprise, pleasure, understanding and strength of mind, body and spirit.