Fundraisers

With the onset of fall comes the arrival of fall not for profit "charity-fundraising season." Post-summer vacations and pre-holiday season, this is the perfect time to scrape your extra change together and give back to the numerous not for profit organizations in the community.

Here are a just two of this weekends events you might not want to miss...

Sips & Dips : raising money for Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital

A Taste of Little Italy : Montessori School at Holy Rosary

A BIG "Taste of the Browns" DEAL

Hello Lovers of CLEV!

How was your weekend? Mine was sorta quiet but really nice. Sometimes, isn't it nice to just slow down, stay at home and enjoy the downtime of a relaxed weekend? I think so.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't stay in ALL weekend...I had attended a kick off weekend for the Junior League of Cleveland Members. This amazing group for women always inspire me to give back, strive for better and look to the future, very poignant to living in Cleveland, don't you think? If you are interested in learning more about the JLC, they are having an open forum, info session next Saturday morning at Joseph Beth booksellers for more information call 216.231.6300. I also enjoyed a peach pizza at Players and spent Sunday with fellow blogger Allison & pal Shannon wandering around Chargin Falls...a WONDERFUL weekend!

So what' the big deal you might ask??? Ever been to the Taste of the Browns? It's an evening on Monday, September 13th, where big hunky football players, mingle with area chefs all to support the Cleveland Food Bank. People come from miles around to grab a gourmet dinner as well as a few autographs from the Browns team members. I can't wait to go this year!!!

So, the deal is TWO THINGS...

THIS WEEK, August 23-26th you can purchase your Taste of the Browns tickets from the link below for $125 a $25 discount. www.clevelandfoodbank.org/heart

In addition to the sweet discount I have been given TWO TICKETS PLUS a TASTE OF THE BROWNS COOKBOOK to give away to one of my readers...so, let's have a little contest...tell me your favorite Cleveland Browns memory or fact and this Friday at 4:00 I will choose a winner at random....Good Luck, and happy week!

Accessorize for the APL (08/20)

Friday, August 20th,2010

I received this press release, and although I don't usually just report the information, I am returning from a long work trip and must get you-the readers some great around town happenings...so here goes it!!!!

The Market Avenue Wine Bar in Ohio City will host jewelry artists red i jewelry, Gai Russo and Deborah Woolfork for a stylish event that puts as much emphasis in doing good as looking good.

The three highly regarded artists, each of whom have a large following for their hand-crafted jewelry, will be launching their fall collections during the event, scheduled from 6pm to 10pm

Throughout the evening, raffle tickets will be sold for a grand prize, a grouping of three necklaces, one from each artist, all of which were specially designed to layer with one another (a $350 value). Ticket prices are $5, or three for $10. The drawing is at 10pm. One hundred percent of the raffle proceeds will be donated to the Cleveland Animal Protective League, with the specific intent to purchase spay and neuter supplies for its animal welfare clinic.

"It’s a win-win situation," says Susan Scaparotti of red i jewelry. "A summer night of drinking great wine, buying great jewelry and donating to a great cause."

Rutabaga Nights (05/01)

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

Jokers & Jackpots (05/07)

Friday, May 7th, 2010

The Junior League of Cleveland is thrilled to invite you to the second annual Jokers & Jackpots event a benefit to support the leagues' Mission and community outreach programs.

Once inside the "casino" aka The Shoreby Club, you can bid in our silent auction (Lululemon pants, facials, dinner parties & more) on fantastic one of a kind items, enjoy entertainment and the beautiful view of Lake Erie, plus the chance to win some very creative prizes.



6-11 pm : Cocktail attire suggested (per Shoreby Club rules, no jeans please).

For tickets visit the JLC website.

a busy weekend in CLE

Wow, have we a busy weekend or what Cleveland???

Feel like a dance party with a wrestling twist? Don’t miss Front Room’s “Ultimate Chapped & Chaffed Wrestling Federation International Extreme Entertainment Fighting Championship.” Beginning at 9:00pm, wear your dancing shoes. (3615 Superior Ave, East Cleveland) FREE

Sign up TODAY, for the Ultimate Sugar Cookie Decorating Class from Sandusky’s talented, Wendy Kromer. (contributing editor & baker aficionado to Martha Stewart Weddings) Join Wendy and her team as you learn her special secrets and tips of the decorating trade in her Sandusky Bake Shop. Limited spots available. Saturday, May 8th. From 9:00-11:30. $42 per person, supplies provided. To RSVP email sales@wendykromer.com



American Greetings Spring Fine Arts Show, This Friday at Spaces Gallery from 6-9pm. Don’t miss this outpouring of very talented local artists. This is a juried show so you’re in for a BIG TREAT! Spaces Gallery is located at 2220 Superior Viaduct.

I hear there are free pet nail trims at the remodeled PetSmart’s in North Olmstead & Mayfield Heights this Saturday? That’s all the info I have on that one, can’t find anything online.

Can’t make it to the Tri C Jazz Fest, Roots Concert Saturday night? Swing by B-side for some record mixing by ?uestlove. $15.00 pre-sale.

Did you know Saturday is also “Record Store Day?” As a new record player owner, I may have to get some new vinyl to spin in my kitchen. Baking and listening to records is my new love.

and the winner is...

Congratulations "Susan" (My favorite springtime memory is Memphis Kiddie Park!) you are the winner of a pair of tickets to this years Market Under Glass Event on Thursday, April 22nd, 2010.

Drop me a note and send me your address (editor@iheartcleveland) and I will make sure they get to you. While you are there, find me. I will be serving at the Three Birds table and would LOVE to meet you. Happy weekend and congrats.

To everyone else, THANK YOU for the wonderful springtime in Cleveland memories. From Opening Day to daffodils and tulips, to ice cream and eating outdoors, I couldn't agree with you enough. Cleveland is a wonderful place to call home...especially in Spring. :)

If you still want to go to the Market Under Glass event, there is still time to buy your tickets. Gather up your friends and get ready to enjoy a night out.

Market Under Glass : Free ticket contest

Hello & happy best spring weekend EVER!

I hope you were able to enjoy a bit of sunshine while also enjoying your friends and family on this holiday weekend. I had a nice weekend, and can't believe it's a new week all over again. Let the good times roll...

So, a few months ago I was approached to see if I might volunteer my time to the Cleveland Foodbank for their annual premier event, Market Under Glass. They wanted myself and a handful of other area bloggers to appear as "celebrity" servers, and I use that word very loosely. I laughed at first and thought that was the silliest request...me? A minor "celebrity," I think not.

But since it was for a good cause, and since I could be the "Three Birds server," I signed up for the evening event.

Market Under Glass, will take place on Thursday, April 22 from 6-9 pm at The Galleria at Erieview. The event benefits the annual Harvest for Hunger campaign, a 21-county food and funds drive, coordinated by the Cleveland Foodbank.

Over 1,200 guests will spend the evening grazing on superb cuisine and delicious wines and beers from more than 50 of Cleveland’s premier restaurants and beverage purveyors. There will also be the opportunity to win prizes through the Continental Airlines Silent Auction & Raffle. Tickets are for sale $100. Tickets to Market Under Glass may be purchased online at www.cleveland.com/marketunderglass or by calling 216.738.2046. For the complete list of restaurants check this out!

The good news for you is that I have a pair of general admission tickets to give away for this big Cleveland benefit. Just tell me by THIS Friday, April 9th @ 3pm, what your favorite Cleveland springtime events, activities and or memories are. I am so excited to hear from everyone.

winter animal attractions

Hello all you lucky Clevelanders. Don’t you just love that they are forecasting tons of the fluffy white stuff this weekend? I do! Everything will look so pretty like it’s covered in butter cream frosting and sparkly sugar...perhaps the last time for sledding or a snow-lady or getting all geared up in your best polar bear ski attire. EMBRACE THE SNOW! (but don’t forget to fill those birds feeders for our little feathered friends)

My dog is so funny in the snow, he hesitantly places each paw on top of the accumulation as if his next step will be his last. The best is when it has rained and turned to ice OVER the snow and he attempts to glide across it but instead gets stuck in a “snow sink hole,” I digress...

Speaking of dogs (or birds or polar bears) there are some very fun animal inspired events going on around town this weekend...so shovel out your driveway, bundle up the kids (or dogs) and get going.

Lake Erie Monsters invite you to pad up and bring your pup to Sundays hockey game against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Your ticket will cost $15, but your dog’ $5 will go directly to the Cleveland APL. I wonder if my little pup would like a beer and a pretzel on Sunday afternoon? (of course, he eats wood dust and fuzz) He sure would look cute in skates!



The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes is hosting Breakfast with the Birds on Saturday morning from 8-noon. If you don’t have a bird feeder you can learn to make one there. Want to explore the snowy outdoors? Bring your binoculars for a bird hike. If nothing else check out their live birds of prey show. And if all this activity makes you hungry, they will be serving all you can eat pancakes, sausage & applesauce, no need to eat like bird there. Call 216.321.5935 to pre-register.

Growing up my dad gave my mom this really cute Gmund Polar Bear stuffed animal that used to sit on their bed (insert cute “Aww” sound), myself and my sisters used to love to crawl into their bed and play with it, I think we enjoyed it more than my mom...another tangent...Did you know that real living polar bears (not the little stuffed ones) are indicators of our ecosystem? They are. Join Geoff York, senior program officer for polar bear conservation w/the World Wildlife Fund TOMORROW, Friday the 26th from 7-9pm when he speaks at Happy Days Lodge (500 W Streetsboro Rd in Peninsula.)

So if your feeling cooped up inside you home and need to get out...grab your real animal, your stuffed animal of your binoculars and explore! Enjoy.

this & that

This week I have been sharing some images from my excursions around town, last weekend.

I mentioned the Salvation Army on Euclid and East 55th as one of my top places to score a deal. Check out their in-store signage, very vague as to what their selling, but the perfect directional signage for those of us looking for a unique find. I love the drippy white paint over the older orange walls.



Someone had a great suggestion that from here on out, when i find something to post that doesn't quite have obvious headline, I should name it "this & that," I think that's a terrific idea...stay tuned for more of "this & that."

Happy Wednesday Cleveland. Stay warm!

REMINDER...DISCOUNT Jump Back Ball Coupon Code

Just a reminder you have TODAY ONLY to use your I heart Cleveland code to get the TODAY ONLY discounted ticket rate of $135.

Just use the Jump Back Ball coupon code of "HEART" (before end of day, February 2nd) when purchasing your tickets and you will receive the discounted rate! Sweet...you can use the extra cash to buy your date an elaborate corsage...HA!

donate & win!

My friend Michelle of Cleveland Foodie has recently posted a wonderful opportunity for her readers and I just wanted to make sure everyone knew about it.

To support the Culinary Vegetable Institute, Veggie U, and area Cleveland City Schools, Michelle is requesting a minimum donation of $5 for the opportunity to win a slew of gift cards to many area restaurants, including Greenhouse, Parallax, L'Albatros and more!

This is a wonderful opportunity to take a chance and donate to a yummy cause. Thanks Michelle for your enthusiastic and educational post. We heart you!

Read and enter here!

Why will you stay? (11/18)

To rsvp for this exciting high-energy event, visit iwsicleveland.blogspot.com

Prom anyone? (11/07)

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

The following is the official invite from Spaces gallery to this Saturday Night prom...it is so cleverly said, that I'll let it speak for itself!

"Grab a date (or two), break out the boutonnieres, and call up your clique. For those who didn’t get asked, had too much “punch,” got kicked out for cross-dressing, or wore the wrong dress, here is your mulligan for the enchanted evening you were promised in high-school. Join us for our annual benefit party, Erie Prom: Enchantment Under the Lake. The big bash/splash will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at SPACES. This night to remember begins with a VIP party and ends with a gallery chock full of great art for sale, games, campy photo opps (complete with the trellis), and dancing (without chaperones).



Paying homage to our Great Lake Erie, we claim the grand theme with a new twist. Remember: This is your do-over—YOUR prom. Creativity, outsiders and weirdness are not only condoned, but encouraged! Wear what you really wanted to wear the first time around, or come decked out in Lake Erie-inspired duds. Whether you feel pretty in pink, dapper in a tux or you want to flex those Zebra Mussels, this is your all-access hall-pass to one of Cleveland’s wildest parties of the year. Proceeds from the event make SPACES’ programming and operations possible."

For tickets visit www.spacesgallery.org

Roller Girls (11/07)

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

Last night as I was on my third rep of shoulder presses at my neighborhood gym in walks this sprite of a woman. Covered from head to toe in vibrant colors, her coat covered in a mass of ornate patches, her hair pulled up under a cap she floated through the field of sweaty gym rats to discreetly distribute the little postcards.

As I completed my last rep, I swiftly made my way to the card stuck into the bulletin board...

It read “THIS Saturday, November 7th, CSU, Wolstein Center, Roller Derby, Black & Blue : WHIP IT GOOD! Team Black vs. Team Blue, going head to head for charity, Doors open at 5pm”



All I kept thinking was, “I’m so there.” Thanks little roller girl “sprite” You rock!

For more information visit burningriverrollergirls

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.

Sips & Dips (9/24)

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

Join the gang at Rainbow Babies for a wonderful evening of hors d'oeuvres (they like to call them "dips"), tasty wines (which they call "sips"), silent auction, great prizes and fabulous live music as they raise money for the babies at Rainbow!



5:30 - 6:30 pm VIP Wine Experience
6:30 - 9:00 pm Main Event

Going down at The Hoyt Block, 700 W. St. Clair, in the heart of Cleveland's Warehouse District (next to Blue Point Grille.)
$35 or $75* per person (*includes VIP Wine Experience)

For information on how to make reservations click here!

Drinks with the Dogs! (8/26)

TONIGHT, Wednesday August 26th, 2009

What could be more fun than a night out with your pup? Come Celebrate Hump Day with Berea Animal Rescue and Second Hand Mutts.



What better way to get over the Hump than hanging out with celebrities and having a few cocktails, all while helping animals in need? Come to the Hump Day Celebrity Bartending Happy Hour to benefit theBerea Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) and Second Hand Mutts (SHM) at the Garage Bar in historic Ohio City. You can hang out with local celebrities and help rescued animals at the same time. All celebrity bartender tips go to help homeless animals at the two rescues; you can afford to be generous since there’s no cover charge!

www.thegaragebar.net

Bike Old Brooklyn (7/18)

Saturday July 18th, 2009

Walk+Roll Old Brooklyn THIS Saturday! The afternoon will included free bicycle tours (from beginner to advance/extended), walking tours and trolley rides of one of Cleveland's most interesting neighborhoods.

Start the day at the Old Brooklyn/Brooklyn Centre "All Access" from 11-4 and finish the day at Cleveland Metropark's FREE BrookStock Music Fesival which starts at 4 at Brookside Reservation.

Sign up for the free trolley tours or any one of the bike routes by visiting their website TODAY. spots are limited.

Donate your tickets TODAY

I know it's happen to you before...tickets to a game, or a show, last minute meeting called at work or project that isn't quite complete and there is NO WAY you could be downtown in time for the opening act or even the first four innings. But you have called all of your family and friends and noone can take the tickets off your hands...have we the "good deed" solution for you!

Most Valuable Kids (MVK). It's an organization that gives kids in Cleveland the chance to see a sporting event, concert or play that they might not normally have the chance to go.

They take tickets donated from companies and individuals like YOU and put them in the hands of underprivileged kids throughout Cleveland. Given the current economy, it's a great way for people to contribute and do something good without spending a dime.



Think about it, how many people have season tickets and decide at the last minute not to go to the Tribe game or pass on the orchestra? Instead of letting the tix go to waste, you can call us and we'll give them to a child (plus chaperone). It's incredibly easy and the kids love it!

Check out their website or give them a call at 216.556.5933 to DONATE YOUR EXTRA TICKETS RIGHT NOW!