Market at the Fig

Hello Clevelanders and happy holiday weekend.
Couldn’t we all use a break? A few days off to rest our brains from deadlines, to do lists, meetings and conference calls? I for sure am looking forward to an extra day to relax and enjoy Northeast Ohio.

As everyone is beginning to make weekend plans, I wanted to share with you an adorable little place I went to lunch at yesterday, Market at the Fig; a small urban pantry.



Created by Karen Small also chef owner at Flying Fig, her vision for a neighborhood lunch, wine, gourmet cheese and sweets destination has come to fruition. The food was delicious...we had an Dilled Farm Egg Salad on focaccia roll, a Spanish Tuna fish sandwich and the special of the day a cucumber sandwich. Thumbs up all around! An extra plus is you can take your lunch outside and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Historic Ohio City area...it’s simply city awesomeness! Everyone should try and stop in this weekend, it’s so sweet. Way to go Market at the Fig!



A couple of other things...don’t forget about the big Rock Hall Ball this evening. The Taste of Cleveland and the Air Show all weekend long. PLUS for those of us beach lovers...grab your towel and get outside I think it’s gonna clear up.

Last but not least, as we move into the month of September, I am going to be blogging for the The Ohio Chevy Network Dealers from out and about around Cleveland. Please visit gottalovechevyneo.com to see what fun myself and the other area bloggers get ourselves into!

Free Concert for the 4th (05/01)

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Join thousands of your neighbors, family, and friends in downtown Cleveland for a special evening celebrating Independence Day, brought to you FREE by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

The fun begins at 5 pm with a Pre-Concert Festival of performances by exciting local youth ensembles. The festivities continue with The Cleveland Orchestra Concert at 9 pm, led by assistant conductor Tito Muñoz, presenting the Orchestra's 21st annual community concert in downtown Cleveland. The program features all-American favorites by Bernstein, Copland, and Gershwin, music from Star Wars, and a Salute to the Armed Forces, with special guest soloist, Cleveland’s own Grammy-nominated violinist Caroline Goulding. The evening comes to a rocketing end with Tchaikovsky's “1812” Overture and a spectacular fireworks display cascading over the skyscrapers of downtown Cleveland — and it's all FREE! This is a free concert presented as part of The Cleveland Orchestra's Community Music Initiative.

celebrate earth day!

merry & happy to you!

Hello Clevelanders!

I am taking a few holiday days off to visit with family and friends but I wanted to make sure to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and happy new year. Enjoy your time off with friends, eat lots of cookies, sip some nog and get lots of rest.



xoxo
i heart cleveland

Get your Santa On (12/12)

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Ever wanted to dress up like Santa, but just don't have the extra time to spend your Saturday afternoons in the local mall? Time to steam and or febreeze your velvet and white fur costume for the Night of 1000 Santas...Cleveland Style!



Join the holiday bar crawl through the city's near West Side for a night of Christmas cheer.
The schedule (as it stands today) is as follows...
7:30 : Reddstone
8:30 : Parkview
9:30 : Happy Dog (no cover for Santa suit-wearers)
10:30 : Garage Bar
11:30 : Bier Market
12:30 : Touch (no cover for Santa suit-wearers) and dancing included.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Happy Santa and cocktails to everyone and to all a goodnight. :)

Bazaar Bizarre (12/12-13)

Saturday, December 12th, & Sunday, December 13th 2009

A yearly holiday shopping tradition, you won't want to miss this years Bizarre Bizarre! From wacky indie crafts, to the unique art of area locals...it's a great place to check off every gift on your list.



Dissatisfied with stencils of country ducks and painted wooden slices of watermelon, a hodge-podge of friends started the Bazaar Bizarre craft fair in Boston in 2001. years later this community based event is still growing in popularity and has now spread to Cleveland!

78th Street Studios: 1300 W. 78th St to 1305 W. 80th St., north parking lot, north entrance (behind the building) -- accessible from W. 78th OR W 80th St. Noon to 9:00 pm, and Sunday December 13th from noon to 6:00 pm.

Glog on the Blog

Happy Monday Cleveland!

Hope everyone enjoyed the cool winter weekend as much as I did. With my visitor in town I sure did pack a lot into the holiday weekend. One of the things I wanted to "report" on was this funky little drink I experienced at the Greenhouse Tavern..."Glog!"

Glog, defined in the dictionary as a "hot spiced wine and liquor punch and it is a delicious warming drink. Glog is a traditional drink of the Swedish & Finnish Advent season. Traditionally made with red wine, and each small glass has a few almonds and raisins in it as well as the drink. Glog's origins are with mulled wine - wine heated with spices. Glog also tends to have more sugar as well as a heavier alcohol content. It is said that Glog cures the common cold.



The bartenders at The Greenhouse were kind enough to show me how they made their new holiday drink. The drink is assembled using special house made glog mix & honey liquor, steamed and then accessorized with little golden raisins.

Be warned...I took a big sniff (from my brandy snifter) and wow...I thought I burned off my nose hairs...let's just say it's potent...in a good way! :)

I still can't 100% say I loved it, but I can't stop thinking about this potent hot toddy, so I guess it made an impression on me. Let me know what you think!

Vintage Holiday

The other day I made a quick trip to one of the areas BEST vintage shops around, Flower Child. The holiday windows of old sleds and Xmas cheers drew me inside like a mosquito to a buzzing blue lantern.

Although I had expected to see a mirage of decorations of days gone by, I had no clue the intensity and overwhelming shimmer and glitz that was about to come before me.



The store is filled with every type of holiday decoration you can imagine. From vintage lights, holiday cocktail glasses, delicate glass bulbs, ornate holiday linens, something from the 40's, something from the 80's (see ET stockings!), a pink themed room, a green themed room, a candy cane and mistletoe room....whatever you holiday dreams they have the decorations for you.



This weekend will be a big "get ready for the holidays" weekend. Why not shop local and recycle the past by adding a touch of flair from Flower Child. BUT, be prepared...this store will suck up hours of time on the weekend, so wear comfy shoes and a good friend for hours of fun.

FYI, there is a Starbucks across the street in case you need a gingerbread jolt of energy to make it through the entire newly expanded basement of the store. Happy holidays!

Flower Child : 11508 Clifton Blvd, Cleveland OH 216.939.9933

Give back

You are blessed.

Anyone who has time to squeeze in a blog read or two is blessed.

You have health. You have family & friends. And most likely each evening your heat is turned up to a toasty 68 degrees.

Every holiday season, it gets me thinking how lucky and blessed I am and how I could help those who aren't so lucky.

Have you ever worked at a soup kitchen? It really opens your eyes to how blessed you are. It awakens the compassionate soul and teaches you the idea of being so truly humble and grateful.




If you have always wanted to try to volunteer at a soup kitchen here are a few things you should consider....

1. Find out which soup kitchens are located in your area. Do a search online, look in the phone book, call information or ask your city or town clerk.

Some of the larger Cleveland area soup kitchens that need are....
> Zion Soup Kitchen (call 216.861.2371)
> St Malachi Center (call 216.771.3036)
> Trinity Cathedral (call 216.774.0425)
> Cleveland Catholic Charities (call 216.334.2961)

2. Contact a local soup kitchen and tell them you'd like to help.

3. Organize a group of people from your circle of friends, your neighborhood, work, your church or synagogue who are willing to volunteer on Thanksgiving.

4. Understand that the soup kitchen needs lots of help in other areas besides food service. Offer to pick up donations, do an inventory on them and store them away. You might also set up tables, prepare the food and help clean up after the meal is through.

5. Include your children in your efforts. This is a great way to teach them the importance of community service.

6. Consider making this a tradition in your family every year. Counting your blessings and helping people in need is a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving.


If you have other volunteer options or ideas please make a comment.

Pumpkins for Joe at the Zoo!

Shopping with Sotka

So, I have this little blue picnic basket that I bought as a very fun barn sale...I use it to collect little gifts throughout the year for the holidays and that way I know where everything is when December rolls around.

Anyways, I was excited to see that Mitchell Sotka has planned an array of artist evenings that feature area artisans...and most of the little gifts for sale would fit nicely inside my picnic basket.

See the schedule of the next few Thursday evening shopping events...if you are looking for something new and unique, put these shopping dates on your calendar...plus there will even be wine!

Nov. 12 - Lee St. Marie (Stylish Hats)
Nov. 19 - Gai Russo
Dec. 10 - red i jewelry
Dec. 17 - Don David Designs
Dec. 24 - Holiday Ornaments 50% OFF

Mitchell Sotka, Ltd. is located at 19071 Old Detroit Road in Rocky River. For more information please contact us at 440.333.1735 or mitchell@mitchellsotka.com.

a Wicked weekend

Halloween is my favorite holiday! The warm colors, the spicy scents, the sassy costumes, the sugary sweets it all adds up to the celebration of fall. Plus we fall back so we get a bonus hour of sleep.



This weekend along with bobbin for apples see if you can squeeze any of these little treats to your weekend rundown...

- An “All You Can Eat Buffet”
- A Party with the Dead
- A little Coco before Chanel
- Hoops with the boys
- Being okay with Miss Michaelson

So Happy HAlloween to everyone in the "Land-of-Cleve," and might I warn you, don't come by my house without a costume or you won't get any candy. :)

Doughnut adventure

Hi Cleveland and Happy Halloween-Thursday (let the junk food raid begin!)

Lately I have been dreaming of driving from one side of town to the other filling my picnic basket with doughnuts from area fryers and blowing any sort of healthy-living ideas out the window. Unfortunately I have not been able to squeeze in this dreamy doughnut adventure, try as I may, it just won’t happen pre-Friday.



My initial intention of this nutty trip was to assemble a really great plethora of ideas for where you could go Halloween morning as the wizards and witches rise from bed in anticipation of the treat-filled day ahead. Well, instead of all the extra calories, I’ll just give you a brief rundown on some of the spots I have been to over my tenure in Cleveland...

> Doughnut Pantry : 14600 Madison Ave., Lakewood : Saturday 6am-2pm (a bare bones, not fancy, get-em-while-their hot place)

> Spudnuts : 21800 Center Ridge Rd. Rocky River (sweets made from potatoes? Carbs + sugar, yumm)

> Fragapane Bakeries : 650 Dover Center Rd., Bay Village (my friend Meg swears by this place, it has to be good!)

> Prestis : 12101 Mayfield Rd, Little Italy (does Prestis even make doughnuts any more? If not grab anything else, its’ all good!)

> Jack Frost Donuts 4960 Pearl Rd, Cleveland (Saturday 7am- 8pm)

And then there is always Dunkin Doughnuts, Krispy Kreme and even Starbucks is selling good old fashioned sour crème favorites!


Perhaps I will grab a warm doughnut and hit the gym extra hard on Saturday to celebrate the arrival of fall, shorter days and more evenings at the gym :)

Happy doughnut hunting to you.

Spooky Tour (10/29)

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

When the lights are dim and the fog has set in, do you feel the spirits of Cleveland lingering around every corner of downtown? Do you see the misty ghostly creatures hover over the lake in the early morning sunrise? Do you shiver when you put away your bike in the dark garage out back?

Do you ever think of ghost or goblins, or worse?

This Thursday channel your inner spooky fears and hop aboard the Classic Cleveland Ghost Tour with Psychic Sonya. This is the ORIGINAL Haunted Cleveland Tour, one with too many locations, we aren't at liberty to tell you, tour locations are NOT pre-disclosed, so as to discourage any would-be pranksters



Grab your closest friend and hop on the private, chartered bus tour of authentic haunted Cleveland locations, featuring Playhouse Square. Tours run 6:30-10:30pm, beginning at Local Heroes (East 9th & Bolivar, Downtown)
$50 per seat. Prepaid reservations ONLY. CALL Sonya @ (440) 775-1217 to reserve your seat(s) early.

www.hauntedclevelandtours.com

Monster Makers

Located just down the street in Lakewood stands an unassuming 4-car garage. Each day UPS and fed-ex make frequents stops at the side door, carrying large packages back and forth, in and out. Being a "slightly" nosey-neighbor, I had to get to the heart of what was going on...little did I know I was in for a complete spooky surprise.

Monster Makers is a thriving business that caters to the movie making and special effects industry nationwide. From special latex mask making to artificial hair and eyes, there is something for every mask-maker in your home.



Looking to make a spooky mask in the likeness of your own face? Check out this link, it's the coolest!

Interested in trying your hand at the art of mask making for your halloween costume? Give Monster Makers a shout at 216.521.7739.

Pumpkin fun! (10/21)

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009



By now I would assume some of you have your upcoming weekend, “to do” list completed. (Groceries. Rake leaves. Concert. Laundry. Buy Pumpkins!) Instead of waiting till this weekend to buy your pumpkin, swing by flourish, grab one of the 1001 pumpkins and give a donation to Harvest For Hunger and the Cleveland Foodbank in exchange for an “orange ball of carving fun.” All donations welcome!

If you’re feeling lucky you might also run into Rebecca Wilde from Q104...she is said to be hanging around the neighborhood giving away Miley Cirus tickets! (I still love “Ms. Montanna,” even though her new rap stinks!) Good lucky tweens & teens alike!

The pumpkin palooza frenzy will begin around 9am and run until 7pm, or while supplies last. Flourish : 1001 Huron Road East. Questions? Call “team get & give” at 216.696.9116.

Happy Fall (9/22)

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2009

This past weekend I drove out past Chesterland to attend an "almost-fall" wedding. The leaves were changing and there were pumpkins for sale at every country road inetrsection.



With cinnamon spice and apples gallettes, why not welcome in the first day of fal with an infamous pumpkin spice latte or a kick through the tree lawn leaf pile.

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, Fluttering from the autumn tree." - Emily Bronte

Happy first day of fall! :)

The "FEAST" (8/13-16)

Thursday, August 13th through Sunday, August 16th, 2009

Cleveland's Feast of the Assumption, is held each year in mid-August in the city's Little Italy neighborhood, it's a four-day street fair that celebrates the Catholic Day of Assumption (August 15), when the Virgin Mary died and assumed her place beside Jesus. Although the hill is a complete "MOB" scene, the Feast is a fun-filled Italian street party with rides, food (Gnocchi & Cannolis), live music and the traditional parade.



The four-day Feast of the Assumption is a wonderful mix of religion and secular fun. The entire length of Mayfield Road, between Euclid Ave and Cleveland Heights is closed off to traffic. In their place are carnival rides, delicious Italian-themed food vendors, arts & crafts booths, and live music stages, playing everything from rock to "It's Amore." In addition, there are fireworks at night and a parade on August 15. The event draws over 100,000 visitors each year. Admission is free.

Thursday Aug 13, 6-11pm
Friday Aug 14, 6-Midnight
Saturday Aug 15, 10-Midnight
Sunday Aug 16, Noon-9:30pm

Celebrate FRANCE Cleveland (7/13-14)

I know I am not the only Clevelander to be a francophile. Love french music, cook french food, drink french wine, travel abroad to breathe the french air and stroll through the daily french blogs all while living and LOVING our home Cleveland.

This week marks the celebration of the French national holiday, Bastille Day, celebrated on 14 July each year. It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution.



Celebrate France, Celebrate Cleveland, Celebrate good french food and wine at the following Cleveland events...

The Greenhouse Celebrates Pre-Bastille Day : $60 french food & drink! $5 French Bicycle Raffle: Winner receives bicycle ($500 value) & other French goodies including French Champagne, Vintage Postcards & More!!! Includes French Cuisine cooked by some of Cleveland’s Great Chefs (Beverage, Tax, & Gratuity Additional) 07.13.09

Bastille Day at L'albatros, 4-courses plus wine, $50. call for your seat. 07.14.09

Bastille Day falls during the Tour de France and is traditionally a day when French riders try to take a stage victory for France, working harder than they might on other days. Mark next weeks watch party (July, 27th) in your calendars at the Flat Iron Cafe from 10-3 presented by ClevelandBikes and the Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op. As part of the day, stick around for an Ohio City bicycle Scavenger Hunt at 12:15 starting and finishing at the Bike Co-Op, lasting until about 3PM. Fun prizes for top finishers in many categories. $5 (for co-op members) or $20 (if you are not a Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op member). contact kevin@clevelandbikes.org for more information.

American "glitter" (7/04)

Saturday, July 4th

Get ready for the Fourth of July! How fun and cool is it that the holiday lands on a Saturday this calendar year? Does the Lee Greenwood tune come to mind (And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I wont forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today. ‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.)? I think I whistle the tune every year around this time.



Here's your partial guide to the 4th...aka...Independence Day fireworks shows across northeast Ohio.

Cleveland: July 4th at 9:45pm - The Flats, Waterfront

Avon: July 4th at dusk - The stadium (on State Route 611 and Miller Road)

Bay Village: July 4th at dusk - Cahoon Park

Brook Park: July 12th at dusk - City Hall

Lakewood: July 4th 9:45pm - Lakewood Park

Medina: July 3rd at dusk - Medina Senior High School

North Ridgeville: July 3rd beginning at 6pm at Party in the Park; fireworks start at dusk - South Central Park

Oberlin: July 4th at dusk - Next to Splash Zone on Hamilton St.

Westlake: July 4th at dusk - Clague Park