Blog Post: (Re)Discover Cleveland

Perfect timing!

I listened to the Sound of Ideas:  Buying in Your Own Backyard on Tuesday on my drive into work, and thought that there should be a conversation on the Civic Commons where we could share all of the local gems we have found for holiday purchases that would keep more of our resources circulating locally.  I hadn't gotten around to starting the conversation yet - and your blog showed up.

So Northeast Ohio - what local gems have you found that I ought to know about as I go about my holiday shopping?

Gems like -

• gifts
• ingredients for holiday feasts - or parties
• places to go and celebrate - or just take a break from cooking
• holiday cards
• services I need to help me get through this busy time (or that someone I love might appreciate as a gift), and maybe even
• local charities that need my resources

(There are a number of the ideas in the SOI show - but if you don't have time to listen, the guests and their websites are on the page)

Posted Dec 07, 2011

If you are looking for really exquisite quilted pieces, try Barbara Robertson - Quilted Expressions.  Wonderful sense of color and design, and meticulous piecework.  She has some pieces ready made, but also does custom work, in both contemporary and relatively traditional styles.  I believe all of her fabrics are hand dyed, pieced together by hand, and machine quilted.

Someday I'm going to have her make a wall hanging for the cathedral ceiling wall in our house. . .

Unfortunately, I managed to hide her business card from myself.  I had been waiting to post this until I found it, but I think I'd better not wait any longer - so I hope what I have found on the internet is correct:

Barbara Robertson, (216) 991-5331, 2830 Lee Road, Cleveland, OH 44120-1834

Posted Dec 18, 2011

First Night Akron!

An alcohol free celebration of visual and performing arts in Akron from 6 Pm to midnight on New Year's Eve.

This is a delightful event with entertainment and activity for everyone in the family, culminating with fireworks to bring in the new year.

Admission is $10, children under 10 are free.  You can buy admission buttons online, or at these brick and mortar locations:  Acme Fresh Markets, Actor's Summit Theatre, Akron Beacon Journal Customer Service Desk, Carolyn's Cupboard, FirstMerit Bank (some locations), The Library Shop on Main, Lock 3, and Stage Left Boutique at the Akron Civic Theatre.

Admissions buttons make great stocking stuffers, secret santa gifts, etc. - or just plan on making it a holiday family event.  You can squeeze in 8-10 events, if you plan it right.  At $10 a person how can you go wrong?

(Full disclosure – I’m biased.  We’ve attended nearly every First Night since it the first, have volunteered for perhaps half of them, and my spouse was the volunteer coordinator at least one year.)