Home & Garden

Home & Garden

Planting Containers with an Artist’s Eye for Color

What would Picasso do? Or Van Gogh? Or Mondrian? Look at iconic paintings from these artists and imagine containers planted with flowers in the colors in their paintings. Keep in mind the thriller-filler-spiller design recommendation to keep your containers well balanced when selecting plants. ...
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Severe Weather Prep; Did You Hear the Sirens?

Did you hear it? Cities and communities throughout the state tested their severe weather warning sirens earlier today. Their prep work is a good reminder for us to make our own during Severe Weather Awareness Week. Many Ohio counties have outdoor warning sirens that sound when severe weather is imminent. During storm watches or warnings, listen to your National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio or your local news for current weather conditions and information. Cellphones may also alert you to storm warnings. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are free notifications delivered to mobile devices as part of a public safety system. WEAs can notify listeners of imminent weather, local emergencies requiring evacuation or immediate action, and AMBER Alerts. ...
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Wild, Whimsical & Wonderful: Glorious Public Gardens

We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the promise of spring than a stroll through one of Northeast Ohio’s public gardens. If you’re eager to find inspiration for your own backyard, or want to enjoy and appreciate someone else’s hard work, then a visit to a public garden is in order. The best part? The gardens are pandemic-friendly with expansive outdoor areas and protocols that keep safety first with timed visits, mask requirements and other measures. ...
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A Joy-Filled Space on any Budget: Refresh & Create

How’s it working for you?  We’re talking about your space. Spending an entire year mostly homebound, working, relaxing, teaching and cooking, we learned what is and isn't working for us. As we slide into spring 2021, many of us are more motivated than ever to improve our spaces to better reflect our personalities, activities and families. It’s not about perfect magazine spaces but curated joyful spaces.  ...
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Worth Noting: Goodbye, Michael; Used Bikes; Centennial Celebrations

A Shot in the Arm
o
r a Long Shot?
If you’ve been scrambling to find a Covid-19 vaccination, you’re in good company. With limited supplies and clunky websites, it’s been an exercise in frustration for many of us. Whether we’re helping older family members or trying to score a vaccination for ourselves, the process has proven to be time-consuming and confusing. Ugh!

One place to start is the state website — vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov/ — which lists vaccine providers by county and zip code. Supplies should be increasing throughout the spring as production ramps up and new vaccines get emergency approval. The end, at last, is in sight.

 

A Generation’s Touchstone  
Goodbye, Michael Stanley
Cleveland rock-n-roll singer and songwriter Michael Stanley was part of our lives throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. His death earlier this month was bittersweet.

Stanley stayed here and played here, but the Michael Stanley Band didn’t. We packed up our MSB albums in milk crates and carted them off to dorm rooms and first apartments, where Stanley’s lyrics and rhythms time-stamped our memories. Stanley reminded us of our younger years and hometowns in all the very best ways. 

That’s a great way to be remembered. 

 

Clothes Call
Local Company Simplifies Dressing

If you’ve ever tried to help an older loved one (or yourself, for that matter) put together an outfit and struggled to keep everything together in one easy-to-assemble spot, then you’ll appreciate this creative solution from Brecksville’s Erin Naso: The Hanger Valet.

Launched last year, The Hanger Valet is a daily outfit organizer that simplifies getting dressed, a task that can be especially frustrating for people who are trying to maintain independence and the people who help them. But honestly, who couldn’t benefit from an organizer with pockets that drape over a clothes hanger? Think about it: socks, shoes, undergarments, jewelry and anything else necessary, all in one, handy spot.

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Tips for Finding a Contractor

New paint, a few shrubs and a fresh doormat. Some home improvement projects are in the do-it-yourself category. A new patio, kitchen remodel or home addition, those are another matter for most of us. We've got a handy checklist for finding a home contractor plus descriptions of who can do what when it comes to calling in a pro. ...
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Gardening Container Considerations

Every garden needs a focal point – something for the eye to focus upon. A container can be a very effective focal point, whether left empty or planted. Here are some points to consider when choosing garden containers. ...
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Holden Forests & Gardens Launches People for Trees

Holden Arboretum is kicking off an initiative to get 15,000 trees planted and cared for in Northeast Ohio by 2025. Grab a shovel and get planting. According to the Cleveland Tree Plan 2020 Tree Canopy Progress Report produced by the Cleveland Tree Coalition (CTC), the tree canopy continues to decline, and climate change will have the greatest effect on communities that already have the greatest need. Forested land and tree canopy are declining in both rural and urban areas. Pledge to plant a tree today! ...
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