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May 27, 2005
Be a gentleman, get a shave
There is a lot more to shaving than lathering the face with cream and then manipulating a razor in an up and down motion.
In fact, if done properly, the act of shaving can be an artform.
"You have two movements: you have the forehand, and you have the backhand -- which is by far the most difficult. In the end, it is really all in the wrist," Ron Salzano, owner of Mariemont Barber Shop, said.
Salzano has been cutting hair for 30 years. When he started, it was custom for men to come in and get a shave. Nowadays, with the hustle and bustle of society and everyone always in a hurry, very few men go to barber shops around the country and get shaved.
He wants to re-invent the now old-fashioned ritual. Salzano is offering shaves, facials and scalp massages to men who want to experience the treatment.
"The main thing in getting a shave, facial and scalp massage is that it's relaxing. It's a good way to spoil yourself.
"I have one customer who comes in for a shave because he wants to sit down and zone out," Salzano said. "He sits down, lays back and he is in another world."
The art behind a good shave is knowing how to work the angles.
A man's numerous facial contours means being able to apply the straight-edge razor at various degrees.
Everything is an angle, according to Salzano, so he must hold the razor differently according to the location on the face.
"And, everyone's beard is different, so you must have fine-tuned skills," Salzano said.
Men can receive the Business Man's Special, which is the shave, facial and scalp massage for $16. Customers may also buy gift certificates for friends.
"This is a good idea if you want to get a present for someone ... or even if you want to treat yourself," he said, adding the a shave and facial generally take between 45 minutes and one-hour to complete.
For more information, visit the barber shop at 6880 Wooster Pike or call 271-7676 to make an appointment.
Posted by johnston at 10:34 AM
May 24, 2005
The rise and fall of the Inn's elevator
Although it may not a big deal to villagers and visitors to the Mariemont Inn, the news carries a lot of weight.
Literally.
After nine weeks of hard labor, the Inn now has a brand new elevator, replacing the old elevator that seemed as old as the hotel itself.
"The old elevator was an original piece of equipment, a pull-from-below version," Mariemont Inn Director of Operations, Bill Spinnenweber said.
The only finishing touches remaining to do in the elevator is add oak paneling to its interior and place an antique arrow dial (which indicates which floor the elevator is located) on the first floor.
The Inn has always had an elevator and it has never been out of commission for so long a time. SBI owners and management were worried that the shut-down of the elevator for so many weeks would incite numerous complaints.
The first week the elevator was taken out of commission a birthday party was being thrown in the Elizabethan Room below the Inn for a 90-year old woman. Needless to say, there were many elderly people present who needed to shuffle between floors.
But no one complained, and for nine weeks people learned what it was like many many years ago when elevators were non-existant and stairs were the only means of ascending and descending floors.
Posted by johnston at 05:33 PM
History made as lightning visits the Mariemont Inn
By looking at the front of the Mariemont Inn, people wouldn't know that lightning had struck the roof.
But that was the case May 19, when at 1:30 p.m. an electric jolt raced through the interior and extremeties of the village square.
Lightning hit the top of the Mariemont Inn, which punched a hole in a portion of the roof, knocked out the security system and resulted in diminuitive damages in room 327.
"The lightning lifted the slate on the roof in a six-foot area and dropped it back down. It cast pieces of the roof the size of hatchet-heads clear over to the fountain and into the street," Spinnenweber Builders, Inc. owner Dan Spinnenweber said. The hole left in the roof by the lightning was the size of a man-hole cover.
But fortunately no one was hurt and no other property was damaged; that is, except for a couple neighboring business owners' TV sets, which were color but now display television shows in a flourescent hue of green.
The lightning managed to splinter some of the wood in room 327 and fragmented some plaster on the walls into thousands of pieces.
But by 5 p.m. on Friday, passers-by would not even know the Inn was hit. The roof was repaired, the security system was up and running and room 327 received a make-over.
"Lightning has never struck here before," Mariemont Inn General Manager Bonnie Malone said, adding when it occurred there was a large "boom" just overhead.
Since the roof needed to be inspected and repaired a ladder truck was needed. The Mariemont Fire Department responded to the strike but the department's ladder truck was being prepped for service work. Therefore, a neighboing fire department offered the service of their ladder truck.
One thing is certain, though: The Inn never has to worry about lightning striking again since lightning never strikes the same place twice.
Posted by johnston at 05:08 PM
May 22, 2005
Eva's Esthetica selling a youthful look
Eva's Esthetica, Mariemont's day spa, has a new product that is selling nicely to people who are concerned with the condition of their skin.
The spa is sellng Pevonia's Myoxy-Caviar, a new application that helps bring back a person's youthful, radiant complexion.
According to Eva, the spa owner, many people have skin concerns with visible signs of aging, such as lines and wrinkles, cellular deficiency, dehydration, decreased oxygenation and lost of elasticity.
The new product is intended to remedy these skin conditions.
According to the company, skincare specialists like Eva, "... are able to effectively counteract aging," by bringing back a customer's youthful skin.
To find out more about the product, its cost and how it can help you, call the day spa at 527-4770.
Eva’s Esthetica also offers a myriad of facials and skin treatments, make-up, waxing, spa therapy treatments and massages.
The day spa is open Tuesday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Thursday 9 p.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.; it is closed Sunday and Monday.
Posted by johnston at 09:25 PM
May 19, 2005
Updates at the Dilly Deli
Listen up, wine lovers. The Dilly Deli has reserved a window of opportunity from Noon to 3 p.m. every Saturday for people to taste new wines for $4.
According to owners Chuck and Robbie, "a special guest pours a quartet of new wines ... this is not a big production tasting ... (so) just swing on by to sip on a few new flavors, sample some of Robbie's new cheeses or gourmet goodies, stay for lunch if you like, and grab some cheese or snacks for your Saturday night."
The Dilly Deli debuted with Hunter Vogel, owner of KitFox, a few weeks back and it was a sellout. Available now is a Vinoce Sauvignon Blanc, a Napa Valley white for $17.99. There is also a Spanish wine, the Marques de Vitoria Rioja Crianza, a popular red wine, for $13.99. There is also a deep dark red wine from KitFox Syrah for $15.99.
Mojito Night Moving
The owners are postponing the Mojito Happy Hour to Tuesday, June 14.
For more information, contact the Dilly Deli at 561-5233.
Posted by johnston at 12:03 AM
May 15, 2005
The Mariemont Theatre: A few projecting thoughts
The Mariemont Buzz recently sat down with the owners of the Mariemont Theatre for a quick Question and Answer session. The Theatre, located in the heart of the village square, is a popular attraction for Greater Cincinnati residents because of its eclectic taste in popular and independent films. Here is what Theatre ownership had to say:
Q: How long has the Theatre been located in Mariemont?
A: The Mariemont Theatre is located in the 6906 Wooster Pike block. That
particular shopping center was originally built circa 1939. The Mariemont
Theatre was refurbished and opened in 1998.
Q: How much restoration to the old building was necessary to accommodate
the theatre?
A: The entire single screen facility was completely gutted and remodeled into a
state-of-the-art three-screen complex.
Q: The Theatre shows an eclectic array of movies. How does management or
ownership decide which movies will be shown on the three screens?
A: The Mariemont Theatre is proud to be one of the few independent/art film
venues in the Cincinnati area and the film booker for the theatre seeks
films to maintain that mix.
Q: Who exactly owns the Theatre?
A: The Mariemont Theatre is owned by a group of investors, including the
Esquire Theatre. Theatre Management Corporation operates the theatre, which
is also one of the investors.
Q: How is it that the owners decided to create a Theatre in the Mariemont
district?
A: A group of residents from Indian Hill approached Theatre Management
Corporation about opening a theatre so they could have quality films, like
the Esquire, close to them.
Q: What are some interesting facts connected with the theatre, the
building or the company¹s history?
A: The Mariemont Theatre is located in the heart of the Mariemont Square within
walking distance to fine and casual dining. The Mariemont Square and park
area are great places to gather and hang out with friends and to shop.
Going to dinner at one of the several area restaurants and then seeing a
film sets the tone for a perfect evening.
Q: What does the future look like for the Theatre?
A: May 19, 2005 the Red Cross is having a Bikers¹ Ball at the Mariemont Theatre
that will include a showing of Motorcycle Diaries. Also, in May, we will be
hosting Peter Riegert (of Animal House fame) the writer, director and one of
the stars of the film King of the Corner that opens at the Mariemont, on
Friday, May 13, 2005; Peter will be available for a question and answer
session to follow the film.
Also, coming Soon: Wednesday night will be discount night in Mariemont. People will enjoy 20%
off of ticket prices and meals at participating restaurants on Wednesday
nights.
Q: What is the most popular candy sold at the concession stand?
A: The Mariemont Theatre has the best popcorn in town but if you fancy a sweet,
the number one concession candy is the classic Rasinettes.
Posted by johnston at 04:04 PM
May 02, 2005
New village business: Training 'Core'ters
Anna Burkett-Trebbi admits that several years ago she had bad posture, her stomach was not in shape and that she needed to do something to get into shape.
What Anna needed was to take a proactive approach to turning her life around and improving her fitness. She decided to start exercising utilizing the Pilates routine.
“I absolutely loved it. So, I decided to get certified,” Burkett-Trebbi said. She has been teaching Pilates for four years. She has also taught at the Pendleton Pilates and the Cincinnati Sports Mall.
Now she has taken her knowledge and fitness expertise to another level and opened a Pilates Studio called “Training 'Core'ters,” located on the second floor of The Strand in Mariemont.
“The program is amazing. It is something that has been around since the 1920s but only hit the mainstream until recently,” she said. “I've taught many people who suffered from back problems who say they feel so much better now.”
Pilates focuses on an individual’s core muscles a.k.a. The abs, gluts and back, chest, pelvic area and hips by working them through a series of stretching and flexing. Similar to yoga, there is much deep breathing incorporated with the exercise, which is conducted on a machine called a “reformer”. It is suitable for all athletic abilities, and is a non-impact form of exercise that re-aligns the spine, coordinates breath with movement, strengthens the core and creates longer, leaner muscles throughout the body.
“This will especially help people with back problems ... it will remedy those problems right away,” she said. “People with these back problems, aches and pains will feel rejuvenated when finished.
“It will help you in everyday activities and is vital in having a fit body. Pilates is the most effective way to increase your core strength while toning your entire body. Pilates is an exercise that connects the body and mind.”
According to Burkett-Trebbi, the abdominal muscles are the most important muscles in the human body. The abs are in direct connection with the back muscles and the hamstrings (muscles located at the back of the upper legs). The cause for many back problems is due to weak abdominal muscles and tight hamstrings; Pilates aims to strengthen those abs and stimulate for flexibility in the surrounding muscles.
And golfers will be happy to know that pilates improves their golf game. Tiger Woods even does it.
Workouts are one-hour each session with a group. Prior to being included in group sessions, people must first take four private sessions to become acclimated to the machine. Mat classes and yoga classes with parents and their children are also available.
Pilates Studio Training 'Core'ters, is now open but will be having an official grand-opening Friday, June 3, and is open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information on becoming a member, call 271-8500 or visit the studio at 6834 Wooster Pike.
Posted by johnston at 11:30 PM
Fashion by design trunk show at Sara Benjamin's
If you are a woman and believe the blouses in your wardrobe are no longer appealing - or maybe you are looking for a new style to suit your changing designer tastes - Sara Benjamin’s may have the perfect opportunity for a new look.
The Mariemont specialty boutique will be hosting a Craig Taylor trunk show from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, May 12, at its 6810 Wooster Pike store.
“Suppose you want a certain fabric that is available at Sara Benjamin’s and you want to put together a varying number of combos from our multiple styles of shirts, during that one evening you can create your own shirts from amongst the selection,” owner Lori Tanzer said.
The trunk show will showcase the design-vision of Craig Taylor, a high-end shirtmaker who has created a line of tailored button-front shirts in a variety of silhouettes.
“If you want a particular color and fabric of shirt that will go with a skirt you own (but can’t find the shirt you are looking for) you can create the shirt to your liking,” Tanzer said.
According to an interview by Tom Julian for fashionwireddaily.com, Taylor describes his new line: “The perfectly tailored shirt starts with the woman’s shape, accentuates her best assets and minimizes her lesser ones. I always look to show the female form in its prettiest light. It should skim the body, but not hang up on it or gape at the bust.
“For me, the perfect tailored shirt would be made of superfine European fabrics, which drape and conform to the body. Sea Island cottons and Italian silks are my favorites. It would include features like flat seams, perfect stitching and genuine mother of pearl buttons.”
Women living in Greater Cincinnati will have the opportunity to view numerous shirt bodies, collars, cuffs and other shirt features and create their own shirts to fit their personal tastes.
“You can mix-match designs so you can create your own shape and design,” Tanzer said.
The shirts will retail between $175-$275. Women will be able to create and order their shirts the shirts will be delivered in four to six weeks.
Lisa Miller, an executive with Craig Taylor, will be present at the trunk show to present the new line, explain the various fits and showcase the many prints and bodies.
“The trunk show will be a fun opportunity for women who want a classic, well-tailored shirt with a modern take on vintage pieces,” Tanzer said.
Refreshments will be available from the Dilly Deli. For more information on the trunk show, call 272-2280.
Posted by johnston at 11:17 PM