Michelle Miller Detwiler

The Summit County Board of Health conducted a hearing June 13 to declare a home in Copley a public health nuisance. Lorenza Pearson, owner of L & L Exotic Animal Farm, at 2060 Columbus Ave., was cited by the Summit County Health Department for the lack of suitable boarding accommodations for 60 wild animals on his property.

The "exotic" animals include lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, lynx, bobcats, alligators, pythons, boa constrictors and 16 black bears. According to Copley Township Trustee Dale Panovich, the animals' cages are on 1/2-acre of land, while the entire property owned by Pearson is approximately three acres, according to Summit County Department of Engineering land maps.

Pearson currently has no system in place for the collection of waste; instead, according to health department environmental health representative Bob Hasenyager, there are two trash receptacles on the property into which animal waste is thrown. The farm has been cited by the health department for failing to empty the trash receptacles containing the waste more than once per week. For Pearson to be in compliance, he must empty the receptacles daily, or at least six days per week, during May through October, and at least three days per week from November through April. (Continues)

For some, the mere thought of remodeling the home is a nightmare. Figuring what to remodel, how to do it and how much money to spend are just a few decisions that need to be made. The biggest and most important decision, though, is deciding on a remodeling contractor or company.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) has established a comprehensive list of criteria for choosing a remodeler. NARI is a not-for-profit trade association that represents contractors, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and trade publications that work for the remodeling industry.

The following suggestions from Pat Jones, executive director for the Tri-County NARI chapter of Ohio, are useful tips for finding the right remodeler. (continues)

For those who have recently experienced the death of a loved one or a romantic breakup, Valentine's Day can be difficult. With co-workers, friends and family members gushing about their significant others, those who have lost a mate may feel alienated or especially lonely on Feb. 14.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 40 percent of the population is single and nearly 80 million people in the United States will spend Valentine's Day alone this year.

Instead of visiting relatives for the holidays this year, why not gather the extended family together and take a trip south? Just eight hours away, nestled within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is a family-friendly resort town known as Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Every winter since 1991, the city has been lit up for its Winterfest Celebration, which takes place from November through February. Winterfest features more than 2 million lights, hung through the Parkway -- the main thoroughfare through the town -- and along the path of the Little Pigeon River. The Southeast Tourism Society named the Winterfest one of the "Top 20 Events of the Year." Trolley tours are available for checking out the downtown shopping district, as well as the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. (continues)

If you told Omar Vizquel that his uniform would consist of an all-wool long-sleeved shirt and knickers, knee high black stockings and a wool cap during his innings at Jacob’s Field, more than likely, he’d be reluctant to play a whole season of baseball. But there are some rabid fans in Akron who get suited up in that hot gear and play as much as three times a week.

The Akron Black Stockings is the men’s club team for Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens’ Vintage Base Ball league. Beginning each May, the 13 men on the team don their best wool uniforms, grab their thin bats and soft balls and catch with bare hands, just as the game was played in 1869. Not to be outdone by the men, the Akron Lady Locks also get in on the game, wearing historically accurate uniforms of long-sleeved cotton blouses with high necks and floor-length full skirts. They don’t use gloves or face masks, either but are allowed to catch balls in their skirts – so long as they don’t show any skin during the catch. “Learning how to maneuver in skirts, that’s hard. It does get very hot,” according to Lady Locks manager Cathy Harold. (continues)

Approximately 14 out of every 100,000 people in the United States are affected by a condition that causes muscle weakness, fatigue and difficulty chewing or swallowing. In Ohio alone, an estimated 1,200 people are afflicted. During the month of June, local chapters of support groups will be advocating for Myasthenia Gravis awareness.

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a chronic neuromuscular disease that attacks the immune system and restricts neurological impulses from reaching the brain to the voluntary muscles in the body, such as the ones that control eye movement, chewing, swallowing, breathing, coughing and facial expressions. It affects all races and ages, but has shown to be more prevalent in young adult women and older men, according to the Ohio Chapter Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, Inc. (continues)

Despite the lyrics for which he's best known, Dan Tyminski is not a "man of constant sorrow." In fact, he's downright happy. And he should be, considering the mountains of accolades and awards he's won in the past year for his work on the soundtrack to Ethan and Joel Coen's movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

Those awards include the Country Music Association 2001 Single of the Year for "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow," as well as Album of the Year. Not to mention the soundtrack's six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow." Plus, as guitarist and vocalist with Alison Krauss and Union Station, he was awarded three Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, among others. Tyminski is just one of the musicians scheduled to appear as part of the "Down From the Mountain" tour on the Blossom Music Center stage July 7. (continues)