great takes on family travel in the U.S.

Join fellow Clevelanders on July 4^th, 2008, to celebrate Independence Day on Public Square. Be a part of the Cleveland Orchestra’s 19^th annual free Public Square concert, “A Star Spangled Spectacular.” This year’s main festivities take place on Wednesday, July 2, at 9:00 pm EST.

Don’t wait until 9:00 to show up, though. Prior to the concert you and your family can enjoy musical entertainment on Cleveland’s historic Public Square. The pre-concert festival features a broad range of Northeast Ohio music groups. It begins at 4:00 pm and runs until 8:15pm.

“A Star Spangled Spectacular” will be led by guest conductor Giancarlo Guerrero and will also feature soprano Indra Thomas. The program, which will be hosted by WCPN’s Dee Perry, will include a tribute to Leroy Anderson in celebration of the composer’s 100th birthday. This year’s concert will also celebrate the 200th birthday of Cuyahoga County.

It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July if the evening didn’t conclude with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, followed by a fireworks display certain to bring out the patriot in everyone in attendance. Be sure that you and your family are on the scene to celebrate.

If it’s summer in Cleveland, it means it’s time for a visit to Blossom Music Center. With gas prices so high, I hope more people are taking advantage of local entertainment options, and Blossom is a definite local gem.

The 2008 concert series looks like it’s going to be great, with acts that will accommodate just about everybody’s tastes. From music legends Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Rod Stewart, Steve Winwood, and James Taylor, to country artists Brooks & Dunn and Rodney Atkins, to rockers Iron Maiden and Poison, the music varies as much as the crowd at Blossom.

For those who like a laid back and more contemporary sound, check out John Mayer with Colbie Caillat or Jack Johnson, or consider seeing the Dave Mathews Band for a more blues-infused rock sound. If you are a little alternative, then you’ll want to catch Radiohead with Grizzly Bear. And when you are ready to really get things pumpin’, pick up tickets for Projekt Revolution featuring Linkin Park, Chris Cornell, Bravery, Ashes Divide with Street Drum Corps, Atreyu, 10 Years, Hawthorne Heights, and Armor for Sleep.

For the more sophisticated Clevelander, consider the 2008 Blossom Music Festival, which runs through the months of July and August. The Cleveland Orchestra takes the stage, as it has for the past four decades, to delight music lovers of all ages. The 2008 season will include Broadway Today, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Gershwin, A Bernstein Celebration, and more. Of course, it would be the Fourth of July without Blossom’s, “An American Salute,” where the Cleveland Orchestra invites guests to enjoy their great American Holiday Program of family favorites, including a salute to the Armed Forces, Sousa marches, soloists, and Tchaikovsky’s “1812” Overture. Needless to say, there are fireworks!

There’s no reason not to head to Blossom this summer. Take a picnic basket and some lemonade or wine, sit under the stars, and enjoy some wonderful music. What could be better?

Mother’s Day gets all of the attention. What about Father’s Day????? This Sunday, treat your dad to something special, whether it’s a ball game, a movie, or lunch at a favorite restaurant.For something a little different, try the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland’s Collingwood neighborhood. I was there about three years ago with my hubby, oldest step-daughter, and her husband to see Butterfly Boucher and we had a blast. The opening act that night was Griffin House, and we are big Butterfly Boucher fans in this house….coupled with good drink and grub, and we loved it!The Beachland Ballroom has since expanded its menu and also now offers breakfast. This would be a great stop for Dad—it’s a laid back, low-key crowd, but still in a fun and historic atmosphere.The Ballroom was built in 1950 as the Croatian Liberty Home and Ballroom. A kitchen was added in 1976 and in 2000 the landmark building became a concert club, still retaining much of its historic charm. The beach is about a half mile north of the club, but the entire neighborhood actually carries the “Beachland” designation, a carryover from the days when Euclid Beach Park was just up the road.Today, the Ballroom hosts a full schedule of regional, local, and national musicians throughout the year. The club is particularly noted for its excellent sound system and boasts two stages, the Ballroom and the more intimate Tavern.Every Sunday the place opens up to all ages for Sunday Brunch. From 11am to 3pm, The Tavern welcomes the entire family for DJs and live music. Also available during this time are their delicious brunch items:

• Eggs Beachland: Poached egg & peppercorn on a grilled baguette, topped with smoked gouda sauce
• Egg & Cheese Strata: Fluffy baked egg, cheese, & bread casserole
• PB&J: Crunchy peanut butter & today’s jelly dipped in whole-wheat batter and deep-fried
• Breakfast Quesadilla: Chorizo, beans, & cheese in a corn tortilla (substitute vegetables for chorizo to make vegetarian)
• Oatmeal Pancakes: with maple butter
• Breakfast Polenta: Creamy, buttery corn goodness with roasted garlic, cheddar, and bacon
• Stuffed French Toast: whipped cream cheese & fruit
• Fruit Cobbler: Seasonal fruit baked with granola and topped with honeyed yogurt
• Bacon, Sausage, Roasted Potatoes, Corn Bread, Grilled Baguette, or Seasonal Veggie

There are several vegetarian options as well as specialty and non-alcoholic beverages, so there is clearly something for everyone. Which means there is no excuse for not letting Dad know how special he is to you on Father’s Day!

The weather for Memorial Day weekend is going to be gorgeous in Cleveland, so those of you who have been holding off on making plans, the time has come to move forward!

A great way to kick off the summer is by spending the weekend at The Great American Rib Cook Off and Music Festival, held each year in downtown Cleveland. Your price of admission includes live music, BBQ ribs with all of the fixin’s, and lots of fun. The 2008 dates are May 23 through may 26, which makes this a great little holiday weekend getaway.

BBQ masters from all over the country arrive in the Midwest to show off their rib skills with the goal of receiving the prize for Greatest Ribs, Greatest Sauce, and/or People’s Choice Award.

Live entertainment this year consists of KC and the Sunshine Band, Jonny Lang, Colin Dussault’s Blues Project, Dennis DeYoung, and Seether.

The Rib Cook Off is not only family-friendly entertainment, it is also economical. The Cook-Off and Music Festival is open Friday (May 23) from 11am to 11pm; Saturday (May 24) from Noon to 11pm; Sunday (May 25) from Noon to 11pm; and Monday (May 26) from Noon to 8pm. Admission prices for 2008 are $7 for adults. Children under 12 are free. The concerts are included in the admission and food prices vary. Friday lunchtime (Noon - 4pm) admission is free.

Above and beyond that, there are discounts available. Two dollar discount coupons are available at Marc’s stores and via the WKYC Website and you can also receive a $2 discount by showing a Memorial Day Cleveland Indians ticket stub.

Now there is no reason to stay home this weekend. Pack up the family and head to downtown Cleveland for sunshine, live entertainment, and great food. As always, be safe, and have a WONDERFUL holiday!

There is plenty of good grub in the Cleveland area, but sometimes by looking outside of the expected area you can find something new to try.

For example, take Salvatore’s Ristorante in Vermilion, OH. It’s a very small, intimate space that probably gets overlooked often because of its location. It’s not in the downtown area right off of Rt. 2 and it’s in a little strip plaza across from a drug store. And yet, you’ll find some of the most delicious authentic Italian food you’ve ever tasted this little eatery.

Be prepared when you walk in the door—you’ll have to walk down a dark hallway that doesn’t seem that welcoming. But once you get inside and see the bar, someone will be there to greet you with a smile on their face. Only after taking a moment to be seated will you note the tacky old-style décor, complete with silver hanging blinds, Italian statues, and dark marble tables with high-back chairs—along with the requisite music by Frank, Dean, or something being sung in Italian by Josh Groban, of course.

You can dress up or down here and families of all types fit in. The wine list is not extensive but decent, and dessert is always a must—the tiramisu is truly wonderful here. You can also spend a little or a lot at Salvatore’s, depending on your taste. When we go we enjoy drinks before and after dinner, a bottle of Chianti, appetizers and desserts, along with dinner. We can drop a pretty penny, but others get in an out for a quick meal at a much lower cost.

It’s important to note that the restaurant can fill up quickly, especially on the weekends. I always recommend calling ahead for reservations anywhere you go for dinner when you can, and Salvatore’s is no exception. For directions and contact information, click here. And then make plans to enjoy some fabulous Italian food!

I started out intending to write about several things to do on Mother’s Day in Cleveland. But as I began my research, I found nothing that excited me as much as the Cleveland Botanical Garden (CBG). And let me make it clear that I do not garden, and much to my husband’s annoyance, I don’t notice when he gardens, either. I just can’t pull myself away from this place, though, so I have to make it the entire focus of this blog.

The CBG is having Mother’s Day Brunch at the Garden on Sunday, May 11^th, from 10am to 3pm. The menu will consist of traditional buffet fare such as carved beef, homemade soup, salads, and a pancake station. Cost and additional menu items can be found on the site.

The neat thing about this is that it’s not just a meal—your group will have access to the gardens and their special exhibit, Zensai:The Horticulture of Japan. After that, be sure to visit the other gardens, including the Hershey’s Children Garden, the Mary Ann Swears Sweetland Rose Garden, and the Western Reserve Herb Society Garden. There are several others as well, so there is plenty of beauty to enjoy on the grounds.

One thing I did not realize is how much goes on at CBG. In addition to the outdoor gardens, there is also a Glasshouse which houses the Cloud Forest of Costa Rica and Spiny Desert of Madagascar exhibits. The CBG also offers a wide selection of programs including classes, lectures, and travel programs for area residents. And you can rent the CBG for weddings, corporate events, and other private events, with catering provided.

I think this is a wonderful place to add to your Places to Visit list in the Cleveland area. If you can’t make it for Mother’s Day, be sure to check it out at another time. It’s simply stunning!

In honor of the recent Earth Day publicity, I thought I’d look into what Ohio has to offer in the way of eco-friendliness. There was so much press about events planned in other cities across the country, but I heard nothing about Cleveland. So to the Internet I went!

The biggest change taking place right now is that of Cleveland’s landscape, beginning with the design and construction of EcoVillage, an initiative set forth by Cleveland that will focus in urban regeneration with eco- and social-sustainability as the focus. From the EcoCity website, here are the specific goals:

EcoVillage is:

• An innovative partnership involving nonprofit organizations, the city, the regional transit authority, private developers, and neighborhood residents.

• A national demonstration project that will showcase green building and transit-oriented development.

• An opportunity to realize the promise of urban life in the most ecological way possible.

Currently, Green Cottages are available for purchase, with other housing initiatives in the works as the project progresses. These are 2 and 3-bedroom homes designed for families in the moderate income level. I’m not sure about the other home designs as far as size, but they will follow the same eco-friendly basics as the Green Cottages.

Another interesting city-wide undertaking is the Cleveland Design Competition. The 2008 competition is not yet underway, but the award winners for 2007 are listed on the Design Competition site. The competition is an open, anonymous, single-stage ideas competition being administered by a local committee that seeks to find new ideas for land that is currently languishing in Cleveland. Last year’s competition involved Irishtown Bend, an area outside of the Flats with a rich history that is sadly now mostly overgrown and uninhabitable. To view the amazing 2007 winning concepts, click here.

While Cleveland may not have garnered the same amount of attention on Earth Day as San Francisco and other large cities, I’m proud to know that in our small corner of the planet, we are taking steps to ensure the longevity of the Earth and our community.

I live near Cleveland on Lake Erie (and am darn proud of it), which means there is no getting around the fact that Spring Has Sprung! Area marinas are beginning to show signs of life as boaters make their way to their vessels to paint, clean, and prep for the traditional May launch. Seasonal workers are starting to trickle in as the tourist industry gears up for yet another summer of putting smiles on millions of faces as they pass through the region. And local merchants begin the process of enticing visitors to shake off their cabin fever and step out to enjoy all that life on Lake Erie has to offer.

One event guaranteed to bring folk out of their winter funk is Bay Harbor Restaurant’s “Spring Fling” Wine Pairing Event. Located on Sandusky’s waterfront in the Cedar Point Marina, Bay Harbor will serve up an evening of fine wine and dining on Friday, April 25, 2008. Gloria Ferrer wines will be paired with 5 courses*, including Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche, Lobster Stuffed Chicken Breast, Pretzel Crusted Halibut, Grilled Clams, and a Mixed Berry Trifle.

Paired wines will include Brut, Carneros Chardonnay, Carneros Pinot Noir, Rust Rock Terrace Pinot Noir, Carneros Merlot, Carneros Syrah, and Blanc de Noirs. A vineyard expert will be on hand to explain each wine as it is tasted and Bay Harbor’s experienced staff will ensure that every guest has an enjoyable evening. Wines will be available for purchase at the close of the dinner for those who wish to take home a bottle (or a case) for themselves or as a gift.

I’ve been part of Bay Harbor’s wine dinners in the past, and I guarantee they are a good time. Everyone is so prim and proper at the beginning of dinner, but by the end of the evening the dining room is full of smiles and laughter. Whether you are a couple looking for a night out together or a large group of friends hoping to catch up, Bay Harbor can accommodate you. A stellar view of the lake as spring unfolds, combined with excellent food and wine, is a recipe for success regardless of the number of people at your table!

Dinner begins at 7:30 and the bar will open at 6:30 for “gathering” (i.e., a pre-dinner cocktail). The cost is $65.00 per person + tax. Gratuity and additional beverages are not included in the price of dinner. Reservations are required as the restaurant will be closed that night to other business. Parties of all sizes are welcome (and encouraged!), so call now to guarantee your spot: 419-625-6373.

Have fun, and remember to designate a driver or arrange for alternate transportation–no drinking and driving, please!

*Menu subject to change. Additional course may be added.