Postural Balance for Life | Tom McCook

Learn what good posture is and how to improve it. Your week of classes with Tom will introduce you to the Franklin Method of imagery, along with corrective exercises for postural balance, tension release, conditioning and health. The latest research confirms we can improve and change at any age. Come learn how! We will practice exercises to improve movement ability and alignment in each area of the body including what's needed for a healthy spine, better balance, and making gravity your friend.You will learn how to get desired results from any exercise that you do and enjoy movement.

Tom McCook, founder and director of Center of Balance is a nationally recognized fitness and movement specialist. Tom has taught Pilates certification courses since 2000. Beginning his full time career in personal training in 1984, Tom designs programs for health and life performance for working professionals, people rehabilitating from injuries and world class athletes including Olympic Gold Medal swimmers Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson and Misty Hyman. Teaching Pilates since 1995, Tom’s approach integrates a range of training disciplines including Yoga, Shiatsu, stretching, The Franklin Method and Pilates in order to broaden his effectiveness in designing programs for optimal health. In 2003, Tom produced “Yoga and Pilates for Balance” an exercise video that brings together the benefits of Pilates and Yoga.

Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Patricia Wells

Patricia Wells is a journalist,  author,  and teacher who runs a popular cooking school --- At Home with Patricia Wells – in Paris and Provence. In 2011, she will publish two new books,Salad As A Meal  and  Simply Truffles.  She has won the James Beard Award for The Provence Cookbook, Patricia Wells At Home in Provence, and Simply French. Also nominated for the James Beard Awards are Vegetable Harvest and The Paris Cookbook.  Her other works include The Food Lover’s Guide to Paris, The Food Lover’s Guide to France, Bistro Cooking, Patricia Wells’ Trattoria, l’Atelier of Joel Robchon, and with her husband, Walter, We’ll Always Have Paris...and Provence. The French government has declared her a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Artes et des Lettres, recognizing her contribution to French culture. A former New York Times reporter, she is the only foreigner and the only woman to serve as restaurant critic for a major French publication, L’Express. She was the restaurant critic for the International Herald Tribune from 1980 to 2007.

On the Web: www.patriciawells.com 

Patricia offers three hands-on culinary experiences. She will do a demo on Monday from 3- 5 pm for 40 people and on Tuesday will offer two hands on classes, one from 11 am – 2:30 and one from 4 – 7:30 pm. Classes take place at La Cocina Que Canta, our culinary center.

For more information and registration, please click here.

Russian Blue in Concert

Lev Polyakin, a regular musical guest at the Ranch in his classical mode, is joined by his jazz colleagues Bob Fraser, Roy King, Joe Hunter and Marty Block, with whom he has been performing for 15 years under the name Russian Blue. They have a large and dedicated following in the northeast Ohio area, and have also performed together in Georgia, Florida and Wisconsin. Three CDs have resulted from their collaboration: Russian Blue, The Other Side of the Road, and Christmas Kaleidoscope. They are all available at CDBaby.com and Amazon, as well as the Cleveland Orchestra store.

Lev Polyakin, violin

Inspired and influenced in his early years by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Stephane Grappelli and the Beatles, among others, Lev Polyakin has sustained a love of jazz throughout his years of classical training and professional playing. Lev, who at 21 became co-concertmaster of the prestigious Moscow Chamber Orchestra, is currently assistant concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra. He has won prizes in international violin competitions, including Carl Flesch in London. In addition to his jazz recordings, he is also prominently featured in a CD recorded by Decca entitled Café Music, chamber music by Paul Schoenfield, which was nominated for a Grammy.

Bob Fraser, guitar

A legend among Cleveland-area guitarists and a renowned arranger, Bob has worked with musicians such as Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Schneider, Pat Pace, Bill Dobbins and Marian McPartland. His is an active theater musician and serves on the faculty of Cleveland State University's music department.

Joe Hunter, piano

Joe has been playing professionally since 1979. Studying in Rio de Janeiro fueled his passion for Brazilian music. He has performed with many nationally known artists including Conti Condoli, David "Fathead" Newman, Tito Puente, Eddie Henderson, and Scott Hamilton. Joe has taught at Capital University in Columbus, and the Tri-C Jazz Studies Program.

Roy King, drums

Roy studied at Kent State University. He performs in various venues in the Northern Ohio region, including weekly at Nighttown in Cleveland with his own trio, which includes Martin Block and some of the best pianists in the area. He is a private drums instructor at two music studios.

Martin Block, bass

Martin got an early start playing jazz at the age of fourteen. A graduate of Kent State, he was bass instructor at University of Akron and has traveled extensively as a performer. His experience covers many musical styles but jazz has always been his passion. His association with Bob and Roy spans more than 30 years, and with Lev, 15.

Photography for any Camera, Even an iPhone | Susan and Neil Silverman

In a series of photography workshops (People Photography, Travel and Vacation Photography and The Right Camera for You), you'll learn:

-- Important compositional elements
-- How to avoid common errors that weaken an image
-- How and when to use your flash (your flash can be a friend or an enemy)
-- How to make motion come alive in your still photos
-- How to pan

Susan and Neil Silverman have taught photography extensively for over 10 years. Their enthusiasm and hands-on approach make them a popular teaching team. Their knowledge and experience encompass both digital media and film (35mm, medium and large format). Susan's and Neil's work appears in publications for Sierra Club, Microsoft, Air Canada and numerous magazines and other publications. They are in demand as speakers for professional photographic organizations and are professional members of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. Their expertise includes landscape, macro and wildlife photography, and their background in commercial work gives them added insight into all forms and aspects of light.

On the Web: www.thesilvermansphotography.com.