Authentically CLE

The People Make the City

Jen

Pressing Pause

Well, it’s been awhile, guys. And it’s not that there’s not plenty going on both in my life and with fabulous Cleveland folks to talk about. But I’m just feeling overwhelmed at the moment.

I’m trying to wrap my head around everything going on with my mom. I’m trying to knock it out of the park at a new(ish) job that I love. I’m trying to be the best mom and daughter and girlfriend and friend I can to, frankly, the most amazing crew of people anyone could ask for in their life.

None of this is meant to be complaining. I offer it by way of explanation. When I changed the … [Read more...] about Pressing Pause

An Authentic Cleveland Fall

Fall has always been my favorite season. I love the cooler mornings and evenings, watching the leaves change, and all the fun things to do around town. Even this year, there is still plenty of fall fun to had... The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has modified it's annual Halloween event to Trick or Treat Fest, a daytime event happening weekends from October 9-31. There will be live performances, characters to visit, Trick or Treat Way, carousel rides, and the Dinosaurs Around the World exhibit included with your ticket.   Cedar Point has also adapted it's annual Halloween event to … [Read more...] about An Authentic Cleveland Fall

Pinstripes Bistro, Bowling, & Bocce

As Jeffrey and I have been exploring places, we ended up at Pinstripes Bistro, Bowling & Bocce at Pinecrest. We started out with two games of bowling, made super easy by the electronic scoring and ease of adding in bumpers for individual players (although perhaps I should have added bumpers for me). Jeffrey had a blast! The bowling balls were marked with stickers over the thumb hole once they had been cleaned, making it easy to know which were good to go. Also, while masks weren't required in your personal lane area, Jeffrey and I chose to keep ours on. After bowling, we … [Read more...] about Pinstripes Bistro, Bowling, & Bocce

Cafilia

Since heading back to the office, I've seen my caffeine intake markedly jump. So when Aleksandra reached out about Cafilia, a new coffee subscription service, I jumped right on finding out more. Cafilia not only supports local coffee shops, but helps to reduce waste. Here's how it works. You sign up for a monthly subscription. You pick your number and type of drinks (10, 15, or 20 cups and drip coffee or latte drinks). You'll receive a reusable mug with your personalized number on the bottom. When you go to a participating local coffee shop, they plug in your number, it deducts from … [Read more...] about Cafilia

John Selick

I'm fortunate to have made a lot of friends in the Cleveland chef community over the years and I have always found them to be such a generous, talented group. As the pandemic hit and stretched on, I've seen them pivot and adapt and still continue to give back too. One shining example of that is Chef John Selick. Tell me a bit about your culinary background (where you’ve worked, studied, etc.) Bachelors Degree from New England Culinary Institute Certified Executive Chef Chapter President of the American Culinary Federation Cleveland Chapter Seven years with the Ritz-Carlton Hotel … [Read more...] about John Selick

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Birthdays have always been a point of reflection for me. A chance to examine where I’ve been and where I’m going.

Last year, on my actual birthday, I jumped off a metaphorical cliff and started a journey to an entirely new life. On my last day of 38, I can reflect on the sometimes hard-to-believe changes that have happened in the last year; the strength in myself and trust in others I’ve found; the amazing things that can happen when you abandon fear and crack open your heart to being authentically yourself.

More so, though, I find myself looking to the future. There … [Read more...] about Looking Back, Looking Forward