One nice thing about getting old is that you generate more opinions and more stories to tell than the younger generation. And, hopefully, you’ll find an audience for your stories and opinions. The Chinese have always embraced the idea that the elderly in society deserve special respect because age and longevity bring with them a greater understanding of the universe. Today’s fast-paced world with all of its challenges needs more opinions, wisdom and solutions from the grandmas and grandpas from places like Beachwood. For instance, a modern problem, with age-old connections, is bullying. We …

If you’re like a lot of folks in Beachwood and the surrounding areas you probably enjoy a daily glass of wine or two before or during your main meal. And, if you believe everything you read then you know that doctors and biologists have been promoting the consumption of a daily glass of wine for a long time because they feel that it’s actually good for your health. However, because of the harsh economy, many regular wine drinkers have scaled back or eliminated their wine purchases simply because it doesn’t fit into their current budget. I’m no sommelier, but growing up in New Orleans, I didn’…

Every time we turn on the TV or click on an Internet news and entertainment page we are bombarded by half-dressed, bizarrely costumed male and female singers and performers who sing (or lip-sync) inaudible lyrics to love songs and causes. They constantly proclaim their undying love for each other, their intention to live together forever and their commitment to be involved in some highly visible cause to save the world, or whales, elephants, polar bears, snapping turtles and sometimes even people. If any of this sounds familiar, it is. It’s American pop culture at its best and most consistent…

Today is Valentine’s Day: a day that is universally celebrated as a day when friends, lovers and family members exchange Valentine cards, flowers, candy, jewelry, loveable toy bears, wine and exotic gifts of all types. Romantics treat their sweethearts to elaborate meals with champagne, lobster tails, chateaubriand and Cupid-type festive cocktails such as chocolate martinis surrounded by chocolate-covered strawberries and coffees mixed with liqueurs and bittersweet chocolate, crepes with homemade strawberry sauce, red velvet cake and more. And if you’re lucky, your spouse or lover includes …

If you live and work in Beachwood, then you are surrounded by some of the most creative and artistic people in the United States. That’s right, Beachwood, with its 11,000 residents residing in a 5.2-square-mile area, boasts of scores of talented musicians, artists, authors, writers, singers, dancers, poets, actors, photographers and craftsmen. They’re everywhere throughout the city. Just look around – they are family members, neighbors, friends, co-workers and students. What they all have in common is that they have all decided to live in Beachwood and be part of a growing, vibrant and …

Hi, my name is Mike Cargile. I was born in New Orleans, LA, home of Mardi Gras, gumbo, crawfish, red beans and rice, Dixieland jazz, hurricanes (both the intoxicating kind and the devastating kind) and non-stop entertainment and fun. So, naturally, at an early age, I assumed that the world of New Orleans was a world we all lived in and if not, we should. So, I began creating fun, big ideas and entertaining stories every chance I could and shared them with anyone that would listen. As a kid I loved books, movies and writing, loves I never lost. At the ripe age of just 3 ½ I launched my …