2010 Cleveland "to-do"

Hello all!

Welcome back to iheartcleveland. Hope everyone had an amazing holiday season. I know I did. I am rested, relaxed and ready to rock and roll as we dive into this new year.

As I was thinking about what my first post of the year should be I started thinking about all the things I have always wanted to do, but somehow never have. Take a look at my list and feel free to let me know what your 2010 Cleveland resolutions are!



my cleveland "to-do-taste-see" 2010 resolutions list

Go to the Orchestra
I have been to Severance Hall for a gorgeous wedding once, but I have never seen the world renowned Cleveland Orchestra play. This year I want to experience the magic of the talented area musucians. Can't wait! In the meantime I may enjoy one of the free tours that are being offered on Sunday January 10th. For more information visit their website, reservations recommended.

Get to know Malleys
Ever wondered how they make the 3 foot Easter bunnies and the millions of luscious Buckeyes? This year I'd love to get a group of fellow choco-holics together for a trip to the 60,000 square feet of chocolate fantasy at the Malleys Chocolate Tour. The tour is self-guided and best of all it's free! Anyone interested?

Celebrate the Jump Back Ball
I've always heard the buzz but I've never attended the massive party explosion called the Jump Back Ball. This year I plan to don my feathers and sequins and celebrate Carnival (this years theme) with my fellow arts supporters. I hear tickets are going fast...so get yours today...then we can all party together!

Ghost Hunt
Ever since I've moved to North East Ohio over ten years ago, I've been tempted to take a walk through the old Ohio State Reformatory at Mansfield. For those of you who know me, I'm not one for blood or guts, but the idea of ghosts is a bit intriguing. Did you know you can go on a ghost hunt year round in Mansfield? Spooky!

Ride the path
I love to ride my bike. I love to ride my road bike down Lake Ave, fast. I love to tool around town in my Schwinn Cruiser with my sweet basket & coffee cup holder. I love to ride my mountain bike through the muddy metroparks in spring. This past fall a friend of mine and I got to sample parts of the towpath, this year, I would love to start on one end and make it all the way to the end...tackle the towpath! Time to look for a new helmet. :)

Get schooled in Beer
I've drank an Elliott Ness, I've snacked on a pub pretzel and recently I've enjoyed one too many Christmas Ales...but as an Ohio resident I feel I should have a better understanding of the happenings and beer types at or our world famous Great Lakes Brewing Co. I think this is the year I'll make it a point to attend a free brewery tour, a tasting or a brewmasters dinner to enhance my palette and enjoy those porters and pale ales to the fullest.

Spend the day at the fair
I post about it every year. Every August I crave funnel cakes and corn dogs. I dream of the biggests blueberry pie and adorable pot belly pigs. This year I promise myself I am going to spend an afternoon at the Cuyahoga County Fair. Perhaps I can get one of you to come with me...if you're up for it, perhaps we can even dress alike..everyone's doing it. :)

Get spooked at the Zoo
I don't have children so there really should be no real reason why I want to spend my afternoon navigating my way through the sea of strollers at the Cleveland Metroparks annual event...Boo at the Zoo. I don't know if I am drawn to the idea of elephants and monkeys in costume or an entire bag of candy corn that i can destroy as I watch the lions, tigers and bears devour their haunted treats. This year I really want to go to the fun alternative to average neighborhood haunting, who wouldn't want to go to an event with candy "Stations?"

Tour of Pasta
If you've ever been to the Westside Market on a saturday morning then you've seen the confetti colored Ohio City Pasta's whimsical little raviolis. Every time I go to buy some I have such a hard decision what flavor to choose...SO, this year I plan on working my way through the glass case and savoring each little pasta creation one flavor at a time. Perhaps a few a month..I'll keep you posted! Any recommendations which ones to start with?

What Cleveland Wants for Christmas

A few weeks ago I sent out a request to some area bloggers, business owners and personalities asking them what they wanted under their tree on Christmas morning. Thank you to the many emails I received, I really appreciate you sharing with us!

See their spirited answers below...



Michelle V. : Cleveland Foodie
“I want a night away with my husband, maybe something local like gambling in Detroit coupled with dinner at Roast and then to sleep in past 6 a.m., something I haven’t done since I had my daughter. Plus, I wish Clevelanders would skip chains in the New Year and make a conscious effort to eat and support local.”

Mark Nolan : Anchor on Channel 3 News Today
“I just turned 40 (which I’m told is the new 30) so, I’ve become more and more nostalgic over the past few years. I think a simple light snowfall, no “Black Friday”/”Cyber Monday”, no holiday traffic, lots of sleigh bells ringin’ type Christmas would be just fine for me. I just want quiet. Lots of smiles from friends as I pass along the perfect gift. That’s what I want… Here’s Hopin.’ Merry Christmas!”

Tammy Lyons : yogi & owner of Inner Bliss Yoga
“My wishes for all this holiday season... A little more forgiveness...a little less anger. A little more faith...less hopelessness. A little more love...less fighting. More listening and less defending. More Love, More Joy, and a vibrant, white holiday!”

Danielle Deboe : owner of Room Service & Made in the 216.
Cooking lessons....one on one weekly cooking lessons! I do not think that anything less...say a class scenario or a monthly lesson would actually stick....and of course, in this dream scenario, I would also have the time, to do a weekly cooking lesson...but alas, a girl can dream can't she!

Amanda “Lilly” Montague : creator of Lilly Handmade Chocolates
1. An Anti-Griddle so I could create fun, frozen molecular gastronomy confections 2. A traveling vacation to every craft brewery in the states! Dogfish, Stone, The Bruery, Great Divide, etc. 3. Another Pembroke Welsh Corgi for my lovely little Lucy to play with (she's a Pembroke Welsh Corgi too! One can never have too much love in their lives!) Happy Everything to Everyone!

Chris Allen : Musician
Since I can't see world peace anytime in the next several years, for Christmas I would like a weekend in Florence, Italy to forget that fact. The most beautiful city in the world, I would like to take a Saturday stroll walking the brick alley ways, view amazing works of art, sip a little wine and have a prosciutto and brie samwhich from a street vender.

Me : i heart cleveland
I’d like an old record player that I could bring to the beach in the summer and play old records while I soak up the Ohio sun! (Do they make old players with batteries?)

Cleveland...what do YOU want...tell me. We will post it...and then you can refer your family to the blog for your wish list! Sounds fun, right? :)

The real "Mrs Cleveland"

I think she looks so sophisticated and elegant. I would like to sit and drink tea with her on a Saturday afternoon discussing politics, fashion and the state of the weather.



(Mrs Frances Cleveland)
1899, oil, 157.2 x 92.2 cm
Wife of President Grover Cleveland

"Sustainable" Creation

Last week I had the privilege of attending one of the most inspiring, insightful conferences around. No, it was not another design conference where we got together to talk fonts, paper and alternative printing options...this was a conference about world change! The Global Forum 2009 : Business as an Agent of World Benefits...pretty heavy stuff.

As I sat through lectures, round table brainstorms and paper discussions one thing I took away is that each of us, little by little can add up to greatness. By doing one small thing, having one conversation, taking time to read and question, expanding our thoughts, sharing your vision...the GLOBAL world can only be a better place. (Oh and don’t forget the idea of sustainability in everything you consume and design moving forward...I almost forgot.)

During the conference there were many ideas on display, lots of public-sharing and enthusiasm of new ideas. What if there was an “American Idol” of the most sustainable organization in the world? Do you think millions of people would tune in and vote? What if there was a government mandate, a tax credit program for businesses to do good? Would executives set aside more time in their days to give back? What if there were temporary places; spaces that could exist to become a hub of inner-city community wellness? Would residents flock to the possibilities or look the other way? My mind was swirling of open ended thoughts, how could I get my arms around everything?

Then I came upon a really great visual, an idea, a design solution. Cleveland Institute of Art; environmental design student, Abby Bickel (info@abbybickel.com) had put much thought into the idea of “architecture as a catalyst for change”...what’s not to love, I had to share.



Her project, appropriately titled “Socialscape” hits on the idea of developing a central space for human interaction as well as community growth, making neighborhoods “sustain.” “With Socialscape, I conceptualized an experience that would provoke our senses and encourage social interactions, strengthen the community, provide a way for us to collectively identify ourselves as individuals within the larger context to our urban landscape and ultimately improve the quality of our lives,” explained Bickel.

Amy told the story as if the space might exist in Lincoln Park in the heart of Tremont...Cleveland. Take a peak at Amy’s extensive renderings, she makes it very easy to want to pitch in and make socialscape truly exist as more than a great idea.







Cleveland is filled with big thinkers, (hence hosting a GLOBAL conference here) artists, designers, philosophers, educators and more. This conference was only a catalyst for discussion. Tap into your sphere and have those discussions of greatness, of growth, of world change. You’d be surprised how others are interested too.

Thanks to Amy for allowing me to share her idea with you. Amy, I look forward to attending the “socialscape” opening, I promise to help, I love your concept! Keep up the wonderful sustainable creative work.

You've been punked!

Although I have BIG dreams for this blog, and would absolutely welcome ALL of these opportunities (okay Kim?), I think my April Fools prank worked, and you've all been "punked."

I received a comment earlier and didn't publish it, as I wanted to keep the fun alive all day but it best captured the spirit of the silly post.

"OK, I'm a little torn on this one. On side I'm like "holy crap! this is such exciting news." But then a small little voice comes out and reminds me that today is April Fool's day. Hmmm...everybody is capable of a simple prank I guess. But then I go back to the other side and think that there are no ends to what amazing things this author can do, so then I start to believe all this good news..... Except for the Lebron interview. Maybe I can understand Al Roker but I think interviewing Lebron would be hard to keep a secret. Regardless, I'm choosing to be happy and excited for our very own. Besides, I don't want to ruin my chances at being invited to a few Tribe games, eat at nice restaurants and see good plays. Congrats!"



Thanks to all of the kind words and support. I LOVE writing the blog, keep the fun events coming, get out there and make Cleveland as special as it truly is. PARTICIPATE. Support your local business owners. Stand up and speak for why YOU love Cleveland.

Tag, I'm it!

Hello & good morning Cleveland!

I hope everyone is in deep into the holiday mode by now. Me? I have put up half the decorations, purchased and wrapped half of my gifts, made LOTS of cookie dough (but nothing baked), sent half of my holiday cards, I really need to complete something. But instead I thought I would take the time to answer my first blog tag.

Last week I was tagged by local blogger www.heidzillas.com, Thanks Heidi! The tag states that I need to share six non-important things/habits/quirks about myself with my readers, here goes nothing.



1 | I love to collect things. Some of my current collections are vintage buttons, 70's clutch purses, old liqueur carafes, cake stands and globes! I often fill my collecting habiy with quick trips to Unique Thrift on Lorain Ave. www.uniquethriftstore.com/StoreDetails.aspx?store=14 or for a Saturday morning adventure I scour Suite Lorain www.suitelorain.net/SuiteLorain24MP4.mov

2 | When I grow up I want to own a small bakery with a personal training studio in the back. What could be better work hard to eat sweets? I bake on a weekly basis and try to fit in some sort of exercise daily. While a good run can really excite the endorphins, the sight of a perfect pink chocolate cupcake makes me smile.

3 | I have lived in Cleveland the longest I have lived anywhere. I was born in Kansas City, MO, lived in ME, PA, WV & NY. As a transplant to this city I am a constant observer. As I drive from the East-side to the West-side of the city I notice the beauty, the hustle and bustle and the heart that this amazing city has to offer. I have lived here ten years.

4 | I love to sing. I sing in the car really loud. I used to be in the show choir, the madrigal choir, musical theatre, the school chorus and my church choir all at the same time, a scheduling nightmare. I am not involved in organized music at this time, although I love to go see Lounge Kitty (www.loungekitty.net) perform and daydream of someday getting back involved in music.

5 | You have the occasion, I have the card. As a designer I take pleasure and delight in a gorgeous greeting card. Small hand letter pressed masterpieces are my favorites. I keep a very organized portfolio filled with tabbed dividers fro any and all occasions. Having a baby, moving into a new apartment, Bon Voyage, just engaged, thank you for dinner...I have just the card for you!

6 | Small everyday patterns in nature excite the me. The other day I was stopped at a red light and out my window noticed the bark on the trunk of a tree. It was a pure geometric natural formation, a pattern that one could replicate, but nature perfected. The structure of a honeycomb. The way the sand ripples on the beach when the tide goes out. The simple but elegant design of a snowflake. All patterns, designs of nature that inspire, excite and intrigue me.

To continue my tag-duties, I must recommend six blogs that I read. Enjoy!

1 | www.chocolateandzucchini.com
2 | www.mrs-o.org
3 | citified.blogspot.com
4 | www.orangebeautiful.com/blog/
5 | 4designerd.blogspot.com
6 | feedingmaybelle.blogspot.com

The official tag rules!
1. Link to the person that tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
5. Let each person know they have been tagged, comment on their website.
6. Let your tagger know when your entry is posted.