Ahmaad Crump, in-arena voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is a proud Cleveland native with 20+ years in the organization, starting on the Cavs Scream Team (2003–04). Cleveland Heights High grad. Great to get a photo of him at the Cleveland 230 kickoff at City Hall. Thanks Ahmaad.

Loved meeting Laura Kleinman, who leads Senior Transportation Connection. She became executive director in Dec 2021 and has been guiding a vital Cleveland lifeline for older adults & people with disabilities, providing door-to-door rides for medical care, groceries, & daily needs.

Stopped by Shaker Square Dry Cleaning & Tailoring at 13107 Shaker Square. Owner Elina Kreymerman shared her journey from Ukraine to Cleveland, coming here and opening the shop in 1994. Also great talking to Stephanie Brubaker, a 15-year employee of the prestigious tailor shop.

Great catching up with my awesome neighbor Emily Milner, RN, and meeting her friends Markayla Cloyd and Gabriella Nassif. They were enjoying coffee and a beautiful day away from work and studying. Always a pleasure talking music with Emily. Hope to see them again this summer!

Visited Cloak & Dagger at 2399 W. 11th St. in Tremont. A cocktail lounge with amazing food from Ex. Chef Parker Shaffer & Sous Chef Kimberly Plasterer. Thanks to Emily Spies(pictured) for the recommendations and for letting me share memories of the old Miracles potato pancakes.

Stopped by Kindred Kava in Old Brooklyn at 2024 W. Schaaf Rd. Met owner Amber Atkinson, who just opened her botanical café on June 8. A kava and coffee spot focused on community, connection, and non-alcoholic gathering. Great new neighborhood space, worth a visit.

A record store tells you a lot about a city. I met David Wolfe of The Vinyl Groove Records at 5100 Pearl Road in Cleveland and knew I was in the right place the moment I saw the Ghoulardi shirt. A lifelong collector, David understands music and the stories behind every record.

It was great to once again see Richard Nix and LeArdis Oliver at Progressive Field. I first photographed the pair a few years ago in this same spot at the ballpark. The two are close friends who love that they get to work together while also spending time together.

Visited Don Gi’s in Old Brooklyn. The storefront doesn’t whisper, it calls you in. Owners Barbara & Donald Gallimore have it 30 years, married 44 years. Their son Mark grew up in the shop. Loved hearing their Cleveland story and what this place has meant to the neighborhood.

Celebrating my longtime @Cleveland_PL colleague Roszita L. Smith as she begins retirement. Cleveland born and proud, Rosz gave 24 years to CPL with kindness, laughter, and that unforgettable smile. We will miss her, but know she is ready for new adventures. Congrats Rosz!

Great meeting Niki Farahmanda at CPL—Senior Producer at TV20 Cleveland, Emmy-winning storyteller, and founder of Lay of the Land LLC helping people explore cities with ease. Loved talking TV, Cleveland, and discovery. Find her on Instagram & TikTok.

Met Samir Davis in Tower City, a Cleveland School of Digital Arts grad who finished top 10 of his class. He lives on E 94th, studies martial arts, and is an aspiring voice actor (@thatdoughyvoice). A regular at CPL MakerSpace and podcast booth. Wishing him all the best ahead.

Stopped by Corbo’s Bakery at Playhouse Square (1603 Euclid Ave.) and caught up with Toni Anders, part of the Corbo family. Still one of Cleveland’s classics, great pastries, solid lunch menu, and a Little Italy classic biz since 1958. If you’ve been away, it’s worth the stop.

Met Caroline Dengel, founder of The Wandering Wardrobe. Originally from Avon, she launched her biz after returning to Cleveland in 2013, turning a decommissioned FedEx truck into a mobile boutique. From online vintage sales-follow @wanderingwardrobe_ or wanderingcle.com

Steven Intermill, Director of the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick. Steven is an amazing storyteller, greeting guests & sharing rare knowledge behind the collection. bucklandmuseum.org Read more in my column, “Skrtic’s Pics” in CLE Magazine: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skr...

Great to see CLE Hts. resident Katherine “Katie” Trostel at City Hall for the launch of One Cleveland. Katie, co-director of the Rust Belt Humanities Lab, celebrates the power of local stories & voices. She is always showing up for Cleveland’s literary community. Thanks, Katie!

Great seeing Mike Kubinski at CLE Clothing Co. in @DowntownCLE on Euclid Ave at his shop. Good talk about Cleveland T-shirt history from Daffy Dan to today. cleclothingco.com Read more in my column, “Skrtic’s Pics” in Cleveland Magazine: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skr...

Korea House Restaurant. 3700 Superior Ave. Cleveland. Never Disappoints. #37

Visited Sugarland Food Mart in Parma on its 40th anniversary. A church service, tables of Filipino food, & a room full of neighbors honoring Ruth & Amando Rama, with their kids Mat Rama & Kim Miranda. Read more in my column, “Skrtic’s Pics” in CLE Mag: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skr...

Great seeing my pal Chris Retzer, aka The Retz, with his son Ben at Carol & John’s Comic Shop. From collecting comics together as kids to seeing Ben share that passion with his dad, it was the perfect Father’s Day moment. Happy Father’s Day to The Retz and all Cleveland dads!

Met Shaun Yasaki at Jukebox in Ohio City, a chance conversation over a few pints in one of those Cleveland spots where talk just happens. From Platform (2014) to Noble Beast (2017). Read more in my column, “Skrtic’s Pics” in Cleveland Magazine: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skr...

Great to photograph Gina Seder at Gina’s Place in Fairview Park, a legendary local spot and more than a restaurant. Gina started here in 1965 and built a lifetime behind the counter. Read more in my column, “Skrtic’s Pics” in Cleveland Magazine: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skr...

Visited the Sante Supper Club & Chef Gabriella Rosa’s shared dining experience shaped by memory & craft. Creative, consistent, one of CLEs best. goodvibepies.shop / santesupperclub.com) Read more in, “Skrtic’s Pics” in Cleveland Magazine: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skrti…

Visited Brewnuts at 6501 Detroit Ave. Shelly & John Pippin built it from a late-night side hustle into a CLE staple, EST. 2017. Loved talking with them and the locals who keep it alive. Read more in my column, “Skrtic’s Pics” in Cleveland Magazine: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skrti…

Visited Mousey Mousey in Parma at 5515 Broadview Rd., a new bakery opened Feb. 5, 2026. Met owner Wen Lin and staffer Alice Cho. French pastries with Asian influences, made in-house with less sugar. Read more in my “Skrtic’s Pics” in Cleveland Magazine: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skr...

Met Harlan of South Euclid and Paul Mason, a Boston native now in Cleveland Heights, after dinner at Spice Spring downtown. We talked restaurants, movies, and why Cleveland is special. We also bonded over our shared love of the Cleveland Cinematheque.

Visited Hexagon Books in Cleveland Heights (2184 Lee Rd.), opened in 2024 by Manuel Chinchilla. A beautifully curated shop of used & rare books from around the world, + book clubs, author events, and language classes in Spanish, French, Italian & Japanese. hexagonbooks.org

Met Nicholasa Gomez at the June 7, 2026 Back to Summer BBQ in Collinwood hosted by Doinks and Millie’s. Originally from Northern California, she now calls Collinwood home. Great talking to the kind Clevelander. Look forward to running into her around an amazing event again soon.

Visited Georgian Bakery Tiflis in a small Parma Heights strip mall at 6440 Pearl Rd. Met owner Giorgi Chincharauli, bringing the flavors of Georgia to the Cleveland area. Incredible khachapuri, tarragon lemonade, and shkmeruli. A true hidden spot in a strip mall worth the stop.

Great to see @clegirls (Alexandra Nemeth) at the opening of Under the Covers bookstore in West Park. She introduced me to fellow creator Lauren Oliver (@oliverstwistblog). Always great meeting people highlighting Cleveland’s events & community. See you both around the city soon!

Great visit to CLE Vintage at 4427 Brookpark Rd. in Parma and met owner Steve Zupon. After 16 years in steel, Steve followed his passion & built a spot filled with restored mid-century pieces. Check out their 1-year anniversary Saturday with vendors, food, music, & prizes.

Last Four Watched. @rustbeltvoice.bsky.social @karlbrunjes.bsky.social @216-eliot-ness.bsky.social @mikeymcfilms.bsky.social @marktidrick.bsky.social @tribe-xx.bsky.social @wahrhaftig.bsky.social

Great catching up with Natalie Stanley at Cool Water Dry Goods in Tremont. Since opening in 2023, she's built one of Cleveland's most distinctive vintage shops & added a beautiful art gallery in 2025. Thoughtfully curated, endlessly interesting, and unlike anywhere else in town.

Great seeing Ross Bassett again as he gave me an amazing tour of the West Park Masonic Temple at 15500 Triskett Rd. A true West Park historian, Ross has spent 35+ years preserving stories, from John Marshall High School history to the West Park Historical Society.

Great meeting Eve Krejci, Destination Cleveland social media producer. Impressed with her work shaping Cleveland’s image. Met her sister Anna Krejci, CSU, also skates Burning River Roller Derby (Kill-a Hertz). Talked Cleveland storytelling & colleague Gabe Wasylko, photographer.

Loved stopping into affoGATO Cat Cafe at 761 Starkweather Ave. Great to photograph owner Mandy Miller, who opened Cleveland’s first cat cafe in 2019 with business partners Lea & Eddie Crespo. Great coffee, 18 cats, & over 1,700 adoptions. Met Rascal before his move to a new home.

Great to see Anna Vallo again! A lifelong Clevelander from Old Brooklyn, Anna is in her second year with the Cleveland Guardians. I was lucky to get a photo of her during last year’s playoffs. Thanks again, Anna! Great night downtown as the Guardians took down the Tigers.

Great to see my buddy Stefan at the @WestSideMarket, representing what Cleveland looks like: good people, great food, & stories around every corner. The Porco Lounge & Tiki Room owner was picking up a whole hog roast for TKE, but stopped at Frank’s Bratwurst to add to the feast.

I recently met Alex Darus, cleveland.com food reporter, at the Cleveland Food Bank. She grew up in Avon and started at cleveland.com after an internship. Great to meet her; she is just as friendly as her writing suggests. Follow @dinedrinkcle and @alex_darus.

Visited Marchant Manor Cheese at 2211 Lee Rd. in CLE Hts. and learned about this outstanding shop founded by cheesemaker Kandice Marchant. Thanks to Ilona Ike, Rebecca Groynom, and Sasha Friedlander for sharing its story and helping commemorate the visit. www.marchantmanor.com

Nikki Hudson serves Cleveland Council Ward 11. From Columbus, she attended Kent State and earned a law degree from Cleveland State. Worked for Phyllis Seltzer and Juice Garden at the West Side Market; known for neighborhood advocacy, parks, safety. Met her at Cleveland Food Bank.

Great meeting Emily Kao, Titus Kao, Elizabeth Johnson, and Daniel Kirchner at West Side Market. Emily and Dan met in college and moved to Cleveland; Titus and Liz settled in Detroit Shoreway. Got a family photo while they were shopping at the West Side Market. Hope to see them soon.

Great meeting Grayson Givens near Willard Park. An Oakland native who moved to Cleveland in 2023, he's traded some Warriors attention for the Cavs and is now all in on the Guardians. Fun conversation, sharp style, and a Main Library regular. Hope to see him again soon!

Collin McInerney of Wickliffe & Darren Allen of Shaker Heights were first in line at My Cuzin Vintage Cleveland, 6507 Detroit Ave, Cleveland. They met waiting for the shop to open, bonded over sneakers, and talked Cleveland shoe shops. Great conversation with the Sneakerheads.

Last visit to Clevo Books at 1026 Euclid Ave to photograph my friend Cathryn Siegal-Bergman. The shop is closing its brick-and-mortar doors this month but continues online at clevobooks.com. Downtown will miss this great independent bookstore and all Cathryn has built.

Great talking with Luke Miller about his six years at Vera’s Bakery. Luke is part of the family behind the West Side Market favorite, now nearing 90 years in business. He makes the drive from Hinckley to work alongside his Aunt Beth. Thanks for sharing your story, Luke!

Nearly a decade on the Campus District Board, I had the privilege of working with Mark Lammon as he led with steady, thoughtful service across CSU, Tri-C & the downtown east side. His focus on real, lasting improvements shaped the district in meaningful ways. Good luck in Toledo.

Ran into Cleveland employee David Bass on the Detroit-Superior Bridge and learned about his work with Cleveland's Traffic Engineering Division. Fascinating conversation about traffic studies, cyclist data, & how better information can lead to safer, smarter streets for everyone.

Great to once again photograph bartender Alaina Jackson at Edison’s Pub, 2373 Professor Ave., CLE. Known for her steady presence & kindness, she often runs the busy Tremont alone, moving through the crowd with focus & ease. Southside has many good bartenders, Alaina stands out.

Late night in Duck Island I caught the end of a wedding reception for Alexandra Meurell and Christopher Newman at Forest City Brewery. They kindly let me take a photo for my Cleveland archive. A beautiful moment of joy in the neighborhood. Wishing them a lifetime of happiness.