Weekend & giveaway!

Well, it’s going to be a perfect weekend to finish up those summer project around the home. Me? I’m planning on giving my garage a good clean out before the winter chill sets in as well as hanging some spooky decorations for the upcoming holiday!

I might try and squeeze in a bike ride since the weather is supposed to be amazing. Can anyone tell me how you find the tow path entrance that is supposedly behind Steelyard Commons? Or is that an old wives tale?

Besides cleaning, decorating and riding...here are a few other things that I may try and squeeze into my weekend...what are your weekend plans???

- Tonight's Best of Cleveland Party at the Rock Hall is supposed to be a great time.

- Polka happy hour at Happy Dog if I need to escape the party.

- If I felt like dressing like a zombie...the Dead Ride around town would be a fun event.

- For those of you who have always wanted to spend the night in a movie theatre...12 Hours of Terror at Capitol Theatre!

- Like to craft? A paper making demonstration at the Cleveland Public Library sounds cool, it's part of their Octavofest.

- Stash Style in Chagrin Falls is hosting a Breast Cancer Benefit from 5-11pm. Pink goodies, drinks & food. Vintage and hand knit fashion showing! Mini massages, palm readings & more! LIVE Music at 8:00

Or...drum roll please......

-The second annual Cleveland Beer Week begins TODAY friday october 15th, and runs through next saturday october 23rd. As a celebration of craft and import beer cleveland beer week features tastings, dinners and activities at over 100 venues.



The big gala-type of event; BREWzilla is being held next Saturday, October 23 at the galleria at erieview from 6 to 11pm. BREWzilla acts as the closing event where one can sample beer from over 80 breweries and enjoy tons of food and cheese from heinen's and winking lizard.

Guess what? I have TWO FREE TICKETS to giveaway to BREWzilla. Tell me about your favorite beer and provide your email address and the winner will be chosen by random NEXT Wednesday.

Other than that, have a great weekend!!! Love ya Cleveland!.

A Rookie’s guide to tailgating.

As many of you are aware this weekend is the home opener for our Cleveland Browns, but what you may or may not know is the in’s and out’s of tailgating.

As a resident of the "Cleve" for over ten years believe it or not but I have never truly tailgated. I mean, I may have parked in a lot off of West 6th for one beer pre-game which I hear doesn't really count, but to truly set an alarm, get there early, eat chips for bfast, etc. etc. Let's just say this Sunday I am in for a real treat!

I asked a friend to give me a little run down on tailgating tips, and after his VERY thorough response, I couldn't resist but share with everyone. You're gonna love them, read on....



"You see tailgating on TV all the time. Your friends always talk about the fun times they’ve had before the games. You want in. You want to be part of all the excitement. But how? You might have lots of questions so let me try to be of some help.
Here are a few tips to make your tailgating experience a little more enjoyable:

What’s the big deal about tailgating?
> With the Browns not faring so well on the field, tailgating is sometimes the most fun you’ll have on that Sunday

Which games are best for tailgating?
> The home opener is always the best. The weather is still warm and the team’s record isn’t a disappointment yet. The tailgating atmosphere for the first several home games is always energetic.

Can anyone attend?
> Yes, of course. You don’t need a ticket to the game or even be a Browns’ fan. But be warned; do not wear opposing teams’ jerseys or even colors. Not cool at all.

What to bring?
> Depends….are you meeting up with a group already tailgating or creating your own tailgate spot? If you are meeting up with an established crew then just bring whatever you plan on drinking and some food to contribute to the group. Keep it simple. If you plan on creating your own situation then at a minimum you’ll need a grill, coolers and music system. Still don’t go overboard as a rookie. Start slow and figure out what you’ll need for next time.

What are the liquor laws regarding tailgating?
> The simple answer is just use common sense and don’t be a jerk. Keep all drinks in a non-see through cup. Don’t use bottles or even carry around cans. Don’t advertise that you are drinking. Everyone knows what’s going on but it’s easier on the cops if you aren’t abusing their leniency.

Where to tailgate?
> See image above. The only answer to this question is the Muni Lot. Everywhere else is a shadow of what’s going on there. You’ll know what I mean when you see it. Once you tailgate in the Muni Lot everywhere just becomes unacceptable.

What time do I need to get there?
> New rules on the opening of the parking lots changed from 4 am to 7 am. If you plan on driving you better get there way before 7 and get in line. Otherwise you’ll end up parking far, far away.

Best way to get there?
> Any method besides driving a car. I prefer taking the RAPID or calling a cab. Actually, when the weather is nice I like to ride my bicycle!

How much is parking?
> I rarely take my car down there but I think they’re charging around $25.

How far is the walk to the stadium?
> Not far. Just follow the herds. For a 1 o’clock game, people start tearing down their site around noon and walking over a half hour before kick off.

Well I hope some of this information helps you. Be safe, have fun and GO BROWNS!"

Thank you "Major" for the incredible run down on tailgating in Cleveland. I hope others find this as helpful as I did. I will be the one with my face painted, football-shaped brownies, perhaps orange finger nails and a strategically cut sweatshirt from Unique! GO BROWNS!

Inked for Ohio & weekend fun (08/13)

Hello CLEVELAND!!!!

I have been traveling for work a bunch as of late and I am SO SO SORRY for being a little slacking on letting you know what the scoop around the 'hood is.

First off, I want to introduce you to Nichole. I ran into her a few weeks ago and couldn't help but notice her artwork on her arm. She said it came to her in a dream, that's her and her best friend on a great day in our city. Thanks Nichole for sharing your "tat," it seems like a wonderful dream to me!!!

Now, onto this weekend...

- It's the second weekend of the month, so you know what that means...the evening art walk in Tremont. Hip hip horray!!

- Have you tried the new RoseAngel? I hear the drinks are to die for, so beat the heat with a mojito or margarita before the labor day weekend!

- 100 days, 100 nights....To know a man's heart....Ms Sharon is coming to the Rock Hall...don't miss her.

- There once was a great friend who gave me an even better book...she recommend I read it while eating chocolate & drinking wine...And so...the movie comes out this weekend...not too be missed!

Just a few little somethings to keep you busy in the land of Cleve the next few days!

XOXO -iheartcleveland

Back to Basics!

Another weekend in Cleveland is upon us, and what fun! TGIF.

You guys know I am always up for a party, a soirée perhaps? But this weekend I am hoping to get back to summer basics. Throw on my flip flops, braid up my hair and take my bike out for a spin or two.

The beach seems like a perfect plan, or perhaps my city pool. If I’m in the mood to roll down my windows and drive out of the city a burger from the festival might be yummy. If I can get out of bed from all the summer fun, a bit of downward dog to LIVE music on Sunday followed by some tasty treats in Tremont.

There is always something fantastic to get yourself into in Cleveland...JUST DO IT!

24 flavors.

The other night I was driving home during a summer storm and had to get gas...we are talking driving on fumes.

I pulled over at a random gas station that barely accepted credit cards at the pump, you know the kind. As the rain dripped through the over hang my gaze was drawn to a shiny red light of the neighboring business.

There it stood in the rain, parking lot filled with cars, people in raincoats with umbrellas, pushing and shoving their way into this random ice cream shop/grille. For a moment I thought to myself, "why on earth would this place be so hoppin, and who would actually make it a destination on a hot and humid night?"

Then somehow, my feet started walking towards the light, just like a bug zapper luring a mosquito. I was entering the Cone Zone & Grille, located in Cleveland (next to Westpark) at 4081 Rocky River Drive. There was a big banner on the front of the building reading "24 Flavors of Soft Serve"....Apricot. German Chocolate. Coconut. Peach. Peanut Butter. Just a few of the LOTS of flavors of soft serve.

I hadn't eaten dinner so it gave me a free summer dinner pass for a small cup of cheesecake soft serve and WOW, was it tasty. Don't judge a book by it's cover. Fill your car and head over to the Cone Zone for a variety of smooth creamy treats. Next time, I'm thinking a mixture of peach, coconut & banana, tropical fun.

a "sweet double feature"

This weekend stock your car with twizzlers, rasinettes and snowcaps, throw in your favorite blanket and a pillow and head out to the Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In Theatre located in North Ridgeville.

The Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In was built in 1965 by the Sherman family and is still owned and operated by a third generation of the Sherman Family. The Aut-O-Rama Drive-In became the Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In for the 1972 summer season.

This weekends best double feature is Grown Ups (with Adam Sandler) @ 9:40pm and the Karate Kid @ 11:30pm. I think that this is by far the best double feature lineup they've had so far this season.

I also think this is pretty cool...rather than ban outside food at the Drive-In they give patrons a choice of weather or not to bring food or beverages into the drive-in. For a $5.00 fee, you can purchase an “outside food & beverage permit” at the box office to bring in your own goodies.

So, when the summer sun goes down, where will you catch your summer blockbuster hits? Hope to see you at the drive in!

Clifton Arts Fest

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

This year marks the 23rd Clifton Arts & Musicfest in the lakefront Cudell/Edgewater neighborhood on the northwest side of Cleveland, on Clifton Blvd.

The Clifton Arts and Musicfest was established as a unique celebration combining fine arts and live musical performances – a true street festival located in a very attractive and vibrant urban neighborhood setting.

As a juried art competition, only the finest artisans from Ohio and around the United States are admitted to the show. Prize money in the amount of $7,500 is awarded annually in the Juried Art Show.

It is always a fun, colorful show. Ride your bike, walk, throw on your roller blades and enjoy your Saturday afternoon taking in some fabulous local art.