Crocker Park, The Family Destination

Some people may think that Crocker Park in Westlake is only an outdoor mall.  I was one of those people until last year.

Before I realized that Crocker Park was much more than just a retail location, I shopped at the Gap, Dick's Sporting Goods, H&M, and my favorite store, Trader Joe's.  Before Dudo came along, the Husband and I would go to movies and eat at Bruegger's Bagels (technically the Promenade, but it's close enough to all be one establishment.)  Now Crocker Park has expanded and become a family destination.

Before our recent home purchase, we lived in an apartment.  Yes, Me, the Husband, Dudo, and our dog Payton all lived in a 1100 sq ft. apartment on the west side of Cleveland.  I wanted to try out the longer commute before committing to a permanent residence.  The Husband and I lived in Westlake when I was in law school.  Crocker Park was just being built when we lived there.  Now, it is so much more than I ever could have imagined.

It started on the 4th of July.  The Husband's wonderful aunt and uncle live in Westlake and invited us to watch the fireworks at Crocker Park.  I instinctly parked the car at a building across the street and walked into the square.  There were thousands of people packed in that square listening to the Orchestra before the fireworks.  It was pretty neat to see all those people and to listen to patriotic music.  Then, the fireworks started...right over our heads!  They set off the display from the rooftop of the buildings.  I grabbed Dudo and ran back out toward our car.  We sat in the lawn watching the rest of the fireworks without incident.  Dudo was a little freaked out though.  How was I supposed to know that they would set off the fireworks right over my 1 year old's head?  I'm sure he'll get over it next year.  The fireworks were beautiful though.

Now eastsiders may be thinking, "Well, is Crocker Park just like Legacy Village?"  To me at least, the answer is no.  I have been to Legacy Village a handful of times and each time I felt that I needed to drive to a place I wanted to shop and then walk in the middle a bit.  The restaurants were on the outskirts.  At Crocker Park, I ditch my car in a parking garage and walk it.  The restaurants are mixed right in with the shopping establishments.  I also like the variety: B-Spot (yes, I am a Michael Symon junkie), Dave's Cosmic Subs, Cheesecake Factory, Champps, Bravo, Liquid Planet, Casa Vella Pizza, Aladdin's Eatery, Karl's Corned Beef, and many others.

Chef Michael Symon, Dudo, and I at the B-Spot Westlake opening day 2011.  All rights  reserved JMB.

Shops continually spring up in Crocker Park as well.  Along with the few I previously listed, small boutiques like Marcell and Francesca's Collections moved in along with Ann Taylor Loft, Danny Vegh's, Apple, Learning Express Toys, Barnes and Noble, and tons others.

This summer, Dudo and I had to kill a few hours before the Husband came home.  I took him to Crocker Park to walk around for a bit.  To my surprise, I see a fountain with jumping water for children to play in.  The sign said it was sponsored by Kalahari Water Park Resort.  I let Dudo run around in the foutain and have some fun.  Several other kids were permitted to get soaked right along with Dudo.

 
All rights reserved JMB 2012.  Do not use without permission.

Crocker Park was quite busy this holiday season. It was beautifully decorated with lights, decorations, and a 50 foot tree. The tree lighting ceremony was an entire family affair. A rock band entertained the thousands of people before Santa took center stage and flipped the switch on the Holiday Season. Then there were fireworks to top off the evening.

Crocker Park continues the fun year round with many events such as Casino Nights, Art Fests, a weekly farmer's market in the summer.  Check the events section of http://www.crockerpark.com/.  To learn more about the farmer's market that occurs from April to November, check out this link http://www.northunionfarmersmarket.org/markets/crocker.html. 

There's even an urban gardening program on a rooftop and they are looking for people to get involved.

I look forward to the many family gatherings, lunch, dinners, and of course super bargains I'll get at Crocker Park in the years to come.

CLEVELAND BEER WEEK!!!! A celebration of craft brews

Two things that I like very much combined and celebrated in the same week?  That's Cleveland Beer Week 2011 which is slated to begin October 14 through October 22. 

http://www.clevelandbeerweek.org/
This is the third annual event that begins in less than two weeks.  I was on board right from the very first year...except so was Dudo.  I found out only mere weeks before that I could not join Cleveland Beer Week 2009.  Ah well, now that Dudo is here, it is time to enjoy the festivities!

I am a stout and porter type of girl.  I also enjoy ambers and the occasional lager or ale.  IPAs?  You can keep them.  I am not one for hoppy beers.  How did this girl who was raised by non-drinkers come to enjoy dark robust flavors?  It happened in two steps: First, I went to the University of Dayton.  There I learned to drink.  I drank Beast Light.  And sometimes Beast or Beast Heavy or Beast Red depending on how the night had progressed.  It was quite a step up when my two friends and former roommates, Linda, Linda, and I ordered three kegs of different Leinenkugel beers for our joint graduation party.  After graduation, I made my way back to Cleveland for three torturous years of law school.  I actually gave up drinking my first year of law school.  I wasted a perfectly good year of drinking and according to my law school transcripts, I have nothing to show for it!

The second step occurred when my two law school friends, Lynda and Dar, invited to me to hang at the Winking Lizard on Huron with them.  The Winking Lizard is the mecca where I learned about beer.  How fortunate are we to have Winking Lizards all around the Cleveland area? 

http://winkinglizard.com/
Not only is the food not to shabby, but anyone can learn about beer.  I enrolled in the The World Tour.  My friends and I shared beers and everyone helped buy them off my list.  By the end, I realized that all I wanted were the porters and stouts.  I did not finish the tour because back then, you had to drink every beer from the list and there was no way I was going to waste my stretched-already-too-thin law school budget on IPAs.  Years later, I celebrated my 30th Birthday at the Winking Lizard Lakewood with friends, fam, and some really drunk co-workers.  These days we go there for some dinner, beers, and the many football games broadcast on their TVs.  I understand that the Lizard has revamped the Tour so you can complete the tour drinking beers more to your preferences.  If you have not visited your local Winking Lizard, I suggest that you do.

Anyway, back to Cleveland Beer Week!  (By the way, the Winking Lizard participates in Cleveland Beer Week, of course.)  There are so many events for Cleveland Beer Week, there is no way one person could ever attend them all.  There is an opening dinner, beer pairings, beer tastings, beer brunches, etc, etc, etc.  You can find the Cleveland Beer Week catalog here: http://www.clevelandbeerweek.org/calendar/calendar.aspx
The catalog is great because you can search by date, or neighborhood, or even preferred breweries.  Some events require advance ticket purchase such as the Grains vs. Grapes: The Ultimate Matchup at the Crowne Plaza or advance reservations for Founder's is Food at Lilly Handmade Chocolates in Tremont.  Other events include tastings at local Heinen's (Yay to them for participating!) and special kegs of brew tapped at your favorite eateries.  Lots of establishments are participating!  I'll be heading to B-Spot Crocker Park on one particular evening.  There really is something for everyone during Cleveland Beer Week.

Our wedding anniversary fortunately coincides with Beer Week and I decide to plan our celebration.  The Husband and I will relive our pub crawl college days with the more adult Liquid Beer Hunt beginning at the Winking Lizard Lakewood.  I cannot think of a more appropriate celebration for the two of us.

What is the best part of Cleveland Beer Week?  Not only can you learn about some new beers and some old favorites from brew masters and others, but you can sample the delicious foods that Cleveland offers at our awesome restaurants.  If you think I am going to Dogfish Head on the Southside at Southside, 2207 West 11th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 in Tremont without having their chicken and waffles, you obviously do not know me.  Come on out and celebrate with me Cleveland!

***I feel compelled maybe because of my first job, or maybe because I worry too much, but please enjoy Cleveland Beer Week responsibly.  Have a designated driver or call a cab.  As the title of this blog suggests, Life is Too Short, so don't cut yours or someone else's short because you drove drunk.  Public Service Announcement concluded.