Stopped by Becker’s Donuts & Bakery at 22088 Lorain Rd in Fairview Park, a spot going strong since 1946. Talked with staffers Addi, Kim, and Grace, all with deep ties to the shop, all starting there in high school. Stories, loyalty, and great donuts keep people coming back.

Great talking with Clevelander Shannon Nielipinski at the Dyngus Day Festival in Gordon Square. Shannon was kind enough to share a bit about her life in the area. I also complimented her crown, and she proudly told me she makes a new one each year.

Always enjoy stopping by Beet Jar at 2600 Detroit Ave CLE, a vegan spot built on word of mouth & hard work. Finally met co-owner Molly after years of photographing the team. Loved hearing her story and can’t wait to return. Thanks to the amazing Molly for her time and the photo.

Great meeting comedian Dan Handelman at Third Friday at 78th Street Studios. Born in LA, raised in the “dregs” of Parma Heights, now Lakewood. Packed night, great art, energy everywhere. Thanks to Dan for the photo, hope to catch one of his sets soon.

Visited Edgewater Cafe, 4911 Detroit Ave. A CLE watering hole with deep neighborhood memory. Good to see Claire Kudravy & Daniele Dior behind the bar, they don’t just serve drinks, they hold the place together. The spirit of Frank’s old Edgewater is still here, still remembering.

Great seeing artist Dave Mitalski and the always kind and supportive Kelly McCrone at Dyngus Day. Both were in great spirits celebrating one of Cleveland’s best traditions. It is always good to run into people who truly enjoy this city and show up for it. Cleveland at its best.

Visited Tabletop Board Game Cafe-1810 W. 25th St. in Ohio City. Met owner Brady Risner who opened it in 2015 with his wife and partner Shiva & Michael Holmes, expanded in 2018. Packed with families, games, food, & fun. Really great Cleveland spot for a date or family night out.

Great running into my friend Holly Lutseck, a Lakewood native who helps keep The Marble Room running as one of the city’s top restaurants, & her friend Alex Pierce at Dyngus Day. We talked Cleveland memories, including the Red Chimney in Slavic Village, a diner people counted on.

Great seeing Caden Beegan building something of his own in Cleveland. From Lakewood roots to Ohio University honors grad, he’s now opened Beegan K9 Daycare, focused on small-group, trainer-led care done right. Proud to see it. beegank9.com

Absolute Legends & Collectibles at 2007 Carabel Ave. Lakewood is a great new stop for comic fans, card collectors, & pop culture fans. Co-owned by Javier Sandate & Mike Alazom, it opened Nov. 2025 after starting as pop-ups in 2024. Comics, Pokémon cards, Funko, & PSA submissions.

Great stop at Kristina’s Family Restaurant. Grill always on, coffee always flowing, a steady West Side anchor since 2010. Met Kristina Marinaj and her daughter Ornela, who keep it family-run and consistent every day. Read more: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skr...

Met Vajk Völgyesi and Brooke Lytle outside West Side Market, taking a break from studies at Case Western Reserve University. The engineering students were picking up food and flowers and shared thoughts on college life and Cleveland. Thanks to them for a great conversation.

Great visit to Royal Taste of Bengal. Opened Oct. 2025, already finding its place. Owner Goutam Sarkar and family bring real deal Indian cooking, from street food to spicy curries. Warm, welcoming spot. Read more: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skr...

Visited the new FunktiniLand on Detroit Ave in Lakewood. Bigger space showcasing work from 100+ artists. I photographed Beth Keenan & JoAnn Rawley back in their Ohio City days, and that local artist energy is still on display. Right next to Nature’s Oasis. www.funktini.com

Birdtown Brewing in Lakewood is set inside the old St. Gregory Church, now a new brewery with onsite beer, Geraci’s food, and repurposed Lakewood gym furniture. GM Ryan Grammerstorf, a longtime Cleveland hospitality pro, is helping bring the space to life. clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skr...

Great seeing Allisa Lozano on Dyngus Day at Edgewater Cafe, 4911 Detroit Ave. She grew up in Brunswick, graduated from Kent, and now lives in Ohio City. She has worked at the Music Box Supper Club in the Flats for 9 years. Always love seeing this interesting and kind Clevelander.

Met John Dudas for breakfast, but the coffee went cold fast. His story, from North Coast Nostalgia with his mom to Carol and John's Comic Book Shop, is pure Cleveland. 30+ years Firefighter, historian, CLE lifer, Family, community, comics. Read more: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skrti…

Stop looking. Grab tickets to see me and Mike Polk Jr. at Music Box Supper Club this Thursday. Rare Cleveland images from the Cleveland Public Library Archives plus Polk’s live commentary. Get yours: musicboxcle.com/event/twisted-…

Nice meeting Cindy Gulley of Bay Village at the Guardians Parade. She recently launched Cleveland Pun Factory, a new T-shirt company rooted in CLE humor. Fun, pun-filled designs for fans. Thanks to Cindy for the photo, and best wishes on the new venture. clevelandpunfactory.com

Playa T (Terry Crumpton) has been telling Cleveland stories since 2005, starting with backyard interviews and growing The Playa T Show into a weekly platform for real voices from the city. Navy vet, former pizza shop owner, still live every Friday. clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skr...

Great seeing Michael Damico outside his Allstate Barber College at 2546 Lorain Ave in Cleveland during the Guardians parade. We talked about how good it feels to have baseball back in Cleveland. There’s something steady about April & baseball, like things are about to get better.

Cent’s Pizza + Goods on Lorain is easy to miss, impossible to forget. Confident, original, and quietly helping to power the street back to life. Vincent Morelli’s vision, with Nicole Hull & Caleb Mowery leading a sharp team. Read more in Skrtic’s Pics: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skr...

Ran into Annette Abranovich, Robin Garrett, Dakota Martin and Sarah Rodgers on Detroit Ave during Dyngus Day. Great seeing the family behind Maple Lanes, one of only 12 alleys left with manual pin setters, and the next generation helping keep this Cleveland treasure alive.

Met Tommy Livingston at Herb’s Tavern WEWS cameraman since 1980, trained by Rich Geyser. Built a TV station in 8th grade, remarkable memory of decades of footage. Played softball there, shared beers with Danny Coughlin. Read more in Skrtic’s Pics: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skr...

Met Minister Roland Muhammad, founder of Superior Renaissance CDC and owner of Shabazz Bakery on Superior Avenue. We talked about service, neighborhood history, and building community through daily work, food, and purpose. Read more in Skrtic’s Pics here: clevelandmagazine.com/articles/skr...

Stopped in at Good Pizza, 2057 East 4th St., and was reminded how much a place is shaped by the people behind the counter. Charlie Anderson has built something special. Great slices and a really great staff. One of @DowntownCLE best newer pizza spots. Go this week & support them.

After all these years I’m still amazed by the amazing talent in Cleveland. Met Catherine Dawkins sitting on her stoop on West 41st & Stickney on an April day. She’s a Bronx native, Cleveland-based graphic designer behind Cats Concepts. Check her work: www.cats-concepts.com

Met Dan Osborne and Reuben, his 6.5-year-old Alaskan Malamute, in the Eastman Reading Garden at Cleveland Public Library. Dan, moving from Youngstown to downtown Cleveland in 2027 for work, shared his excitement for the move. Looking forward to seeing this great pair around town.

Visited Old Stone Church and met Bruce Kranicz and Bob Reid, whose Wednesday tours bring this Cleveland treasure to life through history, conversation, and remarkable stained glass. Some places endure through architecture, others through people. This place has both.

Visited Enclave Matcha & More at 2258 West 10th in Tremont and loved meeting owners Christina and Mike Boris, whose music roots, hospitality experience, and vision have created a beautiful new gathering place. Great coffee, incredible biscuit, and some of the best matcha in town.

West Side Market. April 18, 2026.

Stopped at Holyland International Import Supermarket, located at 11715 Lorain Ave. Cleveland. for Vimto and a few items. Sorry to miss Alla Muhammad, but great meeting Maher Muhammad, head butcher serving halal meats and carrying on a family tradition. Great people, great market.

Met Julia de Almeida & Bomba Saveca on Detroit Ave, partners from Johannesburg and students at CSU, practicing biking for Julia’s move to Amsterdam. Bomba ran alongside as she wobbled & laughed. A sweet scene, & a lovely conversation about journeys & their affection for CLE.

Behind the scenes at Play It Again Sam, 14311 Madison Ave, Lakewood, where Bernie Naworski and his team keep analog audio alive. Craftsmen like Chrissi Burk, Brendan Nagle, and Christopher Pennington doing work few can still do anywhere in this country. Quiet, careful, essential.

Met Stefan Matteau in line at Cleveland Bagel in Ohio City. Cleveland Monsters player turned coach, he was a fan favorite, respected leader, & served as captain in 2024–25 before joining the staff. Said he loves the city the org. Great to meet this really kind pro athlete.

West 25th St. before the Guardians home opener. A group of old friends gathering like they do every year just to be together. Clinton Morrison, Curtis Johnson, Paul Jackson, and Ramon Woods grew up here 40 years ago. Tough in spots back then. Different now. They still come back.

Home Opener in Cleveland is its own kind of day. People head to their usual bars before first pitch. At The Old Angle Tavern, 1828 W. 25th St., Ohio City, Leonor Garcia (9 yrs) and Matty Franks (22 yrs) work in sync, barely a word between them. One of the best teams in Cleveland.

Great seeing Kate Atherton at Van Aken working at On the Rise Bakery. A talented artist and children’s librarian at Cleveland Heights–Noble. Always nice to connect with fellow library staff. Thanks for the photo on a beautiful day at the Market.

Met three Cleveland guys at West Side Market this April, Joseph Morehouse, Mac Sullivan, Jamie Dalla Costa. Skaters, friends, easy to talk to. We stood near J & J Czuchraj Meats, one of the market’s great stands. Appreciate the conversation. Great to meet these kind & funny guys.

Met Tom Harrison in the Arcade in Downtown Cleveland He is a Shaker Heights hockey standout, USPHL and UNLV alum, now part of the amazing team at Cordelia. In his spare time, he’s out shooting sharp street photography across Cleveland. Thanks to him for the conversation.

Visited Harold’s Kitchen at 3456 W 117th in Cleveland, once Luchita’s. Owner Lydell Ware, honoring his father Harold, moved from E 159 & St Clair (original 2018 spot). He says the West Side feels right. Catfish and wings still lead the way, east or west. Support local.

Met Brianna Hasinski(right) in person at Dyngus Day in Gordon Square, along with her sister Christine Hasinski. Great to meet the local nurse and her sister during the wonderful Cleveland Street Fest. Music, laughter, & tradition, the city has a way of bringing people together.

Near 20 years strong, Cafe Ah-Roma on Euclid Ave keeps downtown Cleveland going with great food and even better people. Shoutout to Chrissy, Kelly, and Linsey, a perfect mix of new energy and experience. A true campus corridor staple.

Met Marco Oriella and Al Kovach, volunteers with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, planting an Eastern Red Cedar on W 41st & Stickney Ave. One tree can grow 40 feet or more. They spend weekends greening CLE. Goal: 9,000 plantings. True community work. wrlandconservancy.org

Stopped into Atmos Coffee, 5509 Detroit Ave, just a month in and already drawing a crowd. Small-batch roastery by Zach Burkhart, great team, beautiful space. The to-go pastries and made-to-order Belgian waffles kept flying. Feels like a place that’s here to stay.

Home Opener at Old Angle on W 25th. The room excited, Cleveland leaning toward first pitch. Met Evan, Melanie, Mike, John, Nick, Rich holding down a table, Ohio City & Lakewood crew doing it right. Talked, snapped a photo. You walk in alone, leave with friends. That’s Cleveland.

Malik’s Beauty Supplies. 11012 Superior Ave. Cleveland. March 28, 2026.

Great to see Yin Tang again, founder of Blue River Dragon Dance, at Cleveland Public Library Main Library emceeing Lunar New Year. We’ve both been part of it since 2001 and even share the same neighborhood roots. She now teaches at Studio En Avant. www.studioenavant.com/adult-classes

Met Kristin Mulcahy in front of the Cleveland Public Library. She’s a popular NEO content creator sharing family life, personal stories, local events, & community stories on Instagram through Kristin in Cleveland and Kids in Cleveland. Amazing how she uses her platform to promote local causes.

Gormley’s. Pub. 19500 Center Ridge Rd. Rocky River. - February 27, 2026.