Shaker
Online
S.A.M.S. Invites Senior
Citizens to Share Stories
Shaker African American Moms Support
(S.A.M.S.) is a newly formed group
whose mission is to provide support to
African American mothers. The group
aims to enrich families by connecting
people to resources, providing a sense of
community, and building fellowship.
S.A.M.S. is working with the
Shaker Schools on Letters to Grandma,
an intergenerational project that will be
part of an International Baccalaureate
unit during the 2017-18 school year.
The project helps second grade students
gain a unique perspective about what
they are learning by writing letters to
ask the class “grandparent” questions
about the topic at hand. Senior citizens
willing to volunteer for these positions
are asked to share important stories
and perspectives from their lives. The
goal? To help students relate to the
subject through real world examples.
To make the project successful,
S.A.M.S. is asking for senior volunteers
to be a class “grandparent.” A background
check of each volunteer is required (and
paid for by the schools). Interested?
Email sams.moms1@gmail.com.
4 SHAKERONLINE.COM | SUMMER 2017
Cheers to You, Shaker Wines
Like the finest wine, Shaker Wines has aged well. Celebrating its 80th anniversary in
2017, this Shaker Heights institution continues to provide high quality, carefully selected
wines for discerning customers in the City and beyond.
Shaker Wines was founded in 1937 as Shaker Square Beverage by Baron Jurgen Von
Leutwiz and his wife Berniece. Gene Veronesi purchased the establishment in 1979 and
later changed the name. Veronesi’s passion for and knowledge about wine come, in part,
from his wine-producing family in Italy. This guy knows grapes.
Eleven years ago, Shaker Wines relocated from Shaker Square to Shaker Plaza,
20100 Van Aken Boulevard. Nestled in the middle of the row of shops, the store offers
wines from around the world selected by Veronesi himself.
Popular monthly wine-tasting events in the shop, usually focused on a specific region,
enable Veronesi to share his love and knowledge of wine with customers who have
become friends. The catered menu is selected with the featured wines in mind. Veronesi
says the tastings always sell out and participants are a “cross section of Shaker Heights…
everyone adds something, makes friends, and has a good time.”
He goes on to say, “I’ve heard over and over from so many customers in Shaker that
they prefer to shop local and support local endeavors. They like the idea of knowing
shopkeepers who know their taste. I appreciate that.”
Now approaching his 40th year in the wine business, Veronesi has seen many cycles
in people’s taste and interest in wines. With oaky Chardonnays fading from the palette,
he’s seen a rise in the popularity of Rosés and favors Provençal Rosés in particular. When
asked which labels he would recommend, three came to mind: Miraval, Domaines Ott,
and Whispering Angel. When the weather turns warm, Proseccos are popular so Veronesi
has a selection of good quality bottles from which to choose.
Asked for a piece of advice to keep in mind when selecting a bottle of wine, Veronesi
says emphatically, “Don’t just go for the picture on the label. Read the label to learn who
made the wine and where it comes from.” And, talk to your local wine expert.
Someting New is
Brewing at Juma
The Coffee House at Juma Gallery is now Brew at
Juma. The rebranding comes along with an expansion
of offerings to include both kinds of brew…the adult
beverage variety now on tap, and the locally roasted,
caffeinated variety from Rising Star Coffee.
at juma
In other words, beer, wine, and coffee of all types are now served at Brew at
Juma. With the introduction of a daily special during happy hours of 4-7 pm (except
Sundays), there is ample incentive to stop by and drink in new offerings.
In addition, Brew at Juma now serves nitro coffee…a frothy, slightly bubbly,
rich, iced coffee with extra zing. It actually comes from a tap, is stored in a keg, and
has a frothy head, but it’s caffeinated. It’s the perfect summer refresher and Brew at
Juma is one of the few places in the area to offer this latest coffee trend.
Like Juma Gallery and Brew at Juma on Facebook and visit jumagallery.com. SL