Category Archives: eco

{Apr 22, 2013}
  celebrate earth

Hi everybody, happy Monday and even better HAPPY EARTH DAY! What a wild weekend weather-wise don’t you think? Literally Friday it was warm with a spring-like breeze, then Saturday morning we had suspicious white flakes and Sunday while the sun was pretty it was chilly again. Come on CLE weather fairy it’s time to warm things up.

Did you do anything to celebrate Earth Day over the weekend? I mean, besides recycling your wine bottles or picking up friends to go out, carpooling to save on gas. I know that the big festival presented by the Earth Day Coalition was held at the Berea Fairgrounds yesterday, I’m glad they had great weather too.  I believe the celebration of Mother Earth used to be at the zoo but so many people wanted to celebrate they were looking for a larger venue, so that’s cool.

If you took the day off work today to celebrate but now have decided you actually don’t want to do spring yard clean up and you’d rather stay indoors…HGTV is hosting an all day marathon of my personal go-to show Love it or List it! It’s half remodel show, half chartacter development and a game show all rolled into one hour of home improvement fun. If you’ve never seen it, now is the time to check it out.

Yesterday I was in the backyard of our new-ish home when I noticed these little violets trying their best to lift their faces and smile towards the sun to celebrate spring and how happy they are to be nesteled at the edge of our patio. I couldn’t help but smile and be happy that while most of the yard is still a cool shade of gray green, these charmers were a vibrant pop of purple in all their glory.

Happy Earth Day Cleveland. I hope you can get outside and explore your yard, your community, a local park or beach. Find something that makes you thankful it’s almost spring summer in the CLE and be thankful that the Month of May is quickly approaching! Cheers.

Posted on April 22, 2013 by charity
Posted in beauty, celebrate, eco, event, outdoor, outdoors | 1 Comment

{Aug 25, 2009}
  Roller Disco Bash (8/28)

Friday, August 28th, 2009

clevelandrolls.org

7-10pm : Leff Electric building, 1163 East 40th St., Cleveland, 44114 : Free!

Posted on August 25, 2009 by charity
Posted in athletics, dance, eco, festival, free, funny, music, party, public, sports, technology | Leave a comment

{Aug 18, 2009}
  A Night Out With the Stars (8/20)

Thursday, Aug 20th (new moon), 2009

Join Museum naturalists and astronomers (Clyde Simpson, Judy Semroc & Larry Rosche) for a night of music (from the insects) and bright lights (from the stars) at the beautiful Wendtwood Preserve. Discover what comes alive when the sun goes down. Bring a flashlight and your night vision. Telescopes will be set up for the astral viewing.

9 to 11 pm Location specifics will be revealed when you register. Members: $6; nonmembers: $8. Limit 20. To register visit www.cmnh.org

Posted on August 18, 2009 by charity
Posted in adventure, eco, education, event, nature, outdoors | Leave a comment

{Mar 30, 2009}
  Mobile Encounters (4/05)

Sunday April 5th, 2009

Downtown Cleveland, from Public Square to Playhouse Square. This Sunday after the Rock Hall inductions. Let’s show the out-of-towners that downtown has some cool kids running around town. :) Show the Rock Hall inductees that Cleveland’s Cool.

Open to all creative, eco-minded, fun-loving, fun-living folks. Play in the street. Discover downtown. Try transportation methods like walking, biking, skateboarding, car-sharing, car-pooling, trains, busses, scooters and maybe even ponies.

Some of Sunday’s downtown events include…Bike polo • Ice cream bike • Heelsplitter bicycle (traveling bluegrass band) • Bike decorating • Bike maps from NOACA • Erie Island coffee samples • Poets on the RTA Healthline • Costumed bears on the Healthline • Glenda the Goodwitch floating around the streets • Free pedometers from COSE • and much more!

I hope it is warmer than today, currently it is supposed to be 56! But if not, we can all pull out our mittens and leg warmers one last time! Free and open to the piblic. 2-5pm for more information visit www.walknrollcleveland.com

Posted on March 30, 2009 by charity
Posted in athletics, bike, eco, event, sports, streets | Leave a comment

{Mar 3, 2009}
  Warm thoughts & the greenhouse

Cleveland it’s cold! But come on…we are in Ohio, wait five minutes and the weather will shift. See, we have this large body of water which greatly effects how the temps will swing, one day it’s 18 and the next it’s 50. Where else can you experience such “flexible” weather patterns?

I have heard a ton of complaints and even “prayers to the gods” to make spring come faster this year. For those cold babies, I have a few ideas I will try and share throughout the next few winter weeks.

Thought #1

While most of us are aware of the grandiose beauty that lies within the glasshouse at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens (www.cbgarden.org), have you ever visited the Rockefeller Park Greenhouse (aka : City of Cleveland Greenhouse)? Built in 1912 and located just off 90 on MLK, this greenhouse not only grows all of the plants used in the city landscaping it also is a place of wonderment, discovery and “vacation.”

Don’t have the cash to escape the cold and get to the tropics? The greenhouse has a vast collection of orchids and citrus trees. Wish you could fly to the desert for a blast of the hot (but wicked dry) air? The garden has a room filled with cacti and succulents. This weekend pack your lunch, grab your notepad and colored pencils and head over to the garden for a few hours of warmth in the greenhouse. Note* unlike the larger botanical garden (although I LOVE this museum too), this greenhouse museum is free (thanks to our tax dollars at work!) and open daily from 10-4.

For more on the greenhouse visit www.rockefellergreenhouse.org

Posted on March 3, 2009 by charity
Posted in adventure, eco, education, families, free, gardening, indoors | Leave a comment

{Aug 22, 2008}
  Green Patriot

On July 4th, more than sixty buses hit the streets of Cleveland encouraging “Green Patriotism” with posters designed by native designer Michael Bierut. The posters, which are visible on buses across the city, promote the use of mass transit and valorize buses as sound for the environment as well as for the vitality of Cleveland. Interior bus ads promote the development of green jobs in the manufacturing sector.

Bierut says, “Back in the 30s and 40s, folksinger Woody Guthrie had a slogan on his guitar: ‘This machine kills fascists.’ I was looking for a similar kind of statement to turn every bus ride into a blow for the environment.”

The project was organized in conjunction with The Canary Project: Landscapes of Climate Change, an exhibition on display through 10 August at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Canary is using the project to inaugurate a nationwide program with posters from a wide range of designers. Pentagram also developed the program’s emblem, a green silhouette of a Revolutionary War Minuteman. I think its darling!

Posted on August 22, 2008 by charity
Posted in art, eco, free, outdoors | Leave a comment

{Jun 30, 2008}
  Rain. Florida. Bears?

I know I have been posting a bunch, but there are so many reasons I heart cleveland, I just can’t pick one thing a day anymore…

So as of late, I feel like I am living in Florida. Sunny in the morning, a brief cooling downpour in the afternoon and then a late evening clear up. The trees and plants are thriving and everyone’s lawns look ultra lush. Isn’t it great?

I didn’t make it down to the Metroparks this weekend (due to parties, weddings, and lots of work)…but I imagine if I did I might have found an image like this…the two little bears playing together, sharing their finds, taking time to sniff the roses. Do we have bears in Northeast Ohio? I just love this picture and couldn’t resist sharing! It makes me smile.

Have a great week Cleveland!

Posted on June 30, 2008 by charity
Posted in eco, photo, travel, weather | 1 Comment

{Jun 12, 2008}
  Happy Hour in the Park

As the week comes to a close my favorite place to spend my summertime Friday night happy hour is in our amazing Metroparks System.

Have you been into the woods lately? Seen the prancing deer at nightfall? Have you noticed how the once delicate spring flowers have now taken root and have matured to strong fixtures of the forest floor? If not, you are missing out on one of Northeast Ohio’s hidden gems.

Like many of you I enjoy a stiff vodka soda with a lime at happy hour, lately it’s just something about the way the air feels as it sails over my shiny bike helmet that keeps me buzzed on Friday evenings. It’s the feeling of freedom after a week of commitments, deadlines and budgets. It’s the way the light shines through the trees. The park is a place where I find myself centered and inspired to take on the weekend in a fresh creative manner. Perhaps it was the way I was raised? Camping, hiking, picking up all the sticks in the yard (for my allowance of course!) I was brought up to get outdoors and reap the benefits.

For the past few weeks, when Friday nights rolls around and I enter the park, the temps are dramatically cooler than the house-lined streets above. The air seems to be cleaner and moves along the paths so quickly. If you think it’s too hot, I bet you would find the urban oasis a cool retreat from your front porch or local bar patio. This summer when you are looking for a way to get recharged and excited to take on a new day…make your way into the woods. Whether it be for a long walk with your favorite four-legged friend, a round of golf, a long bike ride, maybe it’s just to sit by the river and read? There are endless possibilities of how you can enjoy the parks in your neighborhood.

To catch one of the many events (from music in the park to guided hikes), or for maps/directions visit www.clemetparks.com. I hope to see many of you for “happy hour” and hear of your adventures too!

Posted on June 12, 2008 by charity
Posted in adventure, athletics, eco, explore, free, outdoors, sports | Leave a comment

{Jun 11, 2008}
  Luxe on Detroit

As we approached the Marlin Kaplan’s newest restaurant; Luxe, we could feel we were in for a treat. The warm glow from opulent indoor chandeliers reflected onto the street sidewalks and the smell of good food wafted out the front door.

We were seated in the main dining room (you can eat in the bar too…next time) near the old bank vault that had been converted into a wine cellar and the kitchen’s glass doors put the chefs and cooks in our full view. The eclectic use of mismatched vintage plates, glasses and silver wear were a pleasant surprise…just like eating at home.

As we inhaled our salads, gnocchi and steak we enjoyed the interesting array of guests that surrounded our table. the people watching was just as yummy as the food itself. The prices were super reasonable and the portions perfect. Next time you are in the mood for trying something new, head downtown to Luxe.

6605 Detroit Ave. Cleveland, OH. For reservation call 216.920.0600 or visit www.luxecleveland.blogspot.com

Posted on June 11, 2008 by charity
Posted in drink, eco, food, restaurant | 1 Comment

{Jun 9, 2008}
  Yoga in the Park (6/09)

Monday June 9th, 2008

If you’ve been searching for a way to relax after your Monday work day, search no more! Join the group of yogi’s for the 9th annual series of Monday night yoga practice at Rocky River Park.

The sounds of the soothing lake and the picturesque sunsets will sooth your body and your mind. Open to ALL levels of experience. Wear comfy clothes, you may want to layer for when the warm glow of the sun sets. Must bring your own mat. Classes will be every Monday night until August 4th, $5 drop in fee cash only, 7-8:30pm. (there will be a time change after the fourth of July because of the early sun setting). Parking is limited, so come early.

Directions to Rocky River Park at Beachcliff Blvd.
One block north of Lake Road Market and Kensington School
On the deck at the top of the hill overlooking Lake Erie.

Come and experience the practice of Yoga in the great outdoors!

Posted on June 9, 2008 by charity
Posted in adventure, athletics, eco, outdoors, sports | Leave a comment