It’s Not About the Money, Money, Money

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Charlene Ann

No, I’m not busting out more of my teen-pop music.

Sometimes it’s just not about the money. And after Tuesday’s announcement of the West Side Market Gala, I thought for sure the Cleveland love would be pouring in. I was highly disappointed by all the negative nellies out there. I get it. It’s not as cheap as most nights out are. With that said – it’s not often you get all those chefs, in one room, with an open bar all to benefit one of Cleveland’s most prized possessions. So is it a little more expensive? Yes. Is it going to help a wonderful cause in our fantastic city? Um yes.

There are certain things I’m always willing to spend a little money on. A fantastic purse? Absolutely (speaking of – anyone wanna hook a girl up with this one?). A great pair of heels? Often. A classic coat? More often than not. A nice car? Sometimes.

A great cause? Always. Giving back is part of how I think we should be living. If it means I’m not going out a few nights the next month to ensure that I have money to attend this event and to give back, then I’ll do that.

I really hope that over the next couple months, there’s a change in an attitude and an understanding that there are so many other ways to get involved. Can’t afford it due to budget? Volunteer! Go to some of the GREAT free events that the Market will be hosting. Shop at the Market every week (which means you will save money and help out some of our local businesses/vendors).

But let’s not make these amazing Chefs in our awesome city feel bad about an event that they are working so hard on. This is just one of the many ways that they are giving back to us.

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Let’s Celebrate 100!

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Charlene Ann

Tuesday’s Announcement of the West Side Market Centennial Gala Celebration had Twitter buzzing. And me personally beyond excited.

First of all – everyone knows I have a crush on a certain chef named Michael Symon. I am praying that I somehow run into him the weekend of November 3rd.

Photo – The Food Network

Second – this list of chefs is unbelievable (including a couple of my most favorite Clevelanders).

April Bloomfield, New York City
Andrew Carmellini, New York City
Britt-Marie Culey, Cleveland
Karen DeMasco, New York City
Chris Hodgson, Cleveland
Paul Kahan, Chicago
Jeff Michaud, Philadelphia
Jonathon Sawyer, Cleveland
Michael Symon, Cleveland
Marc Vetri, Philadelphia
Eric Williams, Cleveland
Paul Minnillo, Cleveland
Rocco Whalen, Cleveland
Andrew Zimmern, New York

To quote Jonathan Sawyer and Michael Symon- 14 Chefs, 6 Food & Wine best new chefs and 10 James Beard Foundation winners and nominations. That’s what we’re working with here people. Yes, the ticket is a little bit more than what I would have hoped for ($250/person) but when you look at the list of chefs and the experience this is going to be and the fact that it’s to celebrate one of Cleveland’s gems, it’s reasonable (in my opinion).

Throughout the next few months, everyone will have the opportunity to join the Market in celebrating #100. Check out WSM100 to learn more and  buy tickets. And if you have’t yet, spend a Saturday morning at the Market. It’s an experience truly unlike any other in our city!

p.s. Big thanks to Chef Symon and Chef Sawyer for being so involved in this gala. I love seeing hometown pride! 

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I’m Gonna Miss This

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Charlene Ann

The Olympics are officially over. Which means a few things. My sleeping habits can go back to normal. My life will not be consumed by all things Michael Phelps (no seriously…obsessed). I won’t be mad at Twitter and Facebook for spoiling the results for me.

But mostly, it means I won’t be sitting in my house, alone, crying at Olympic themed commercials. I literally would sit, watching the Olympics for hours, barely making it through without either crying at one of the P&G “Thank you, Mom” commercials or one of the Olympian’s families who were sobbing when their child won a medal. As Kimberly said, I would have needed a Xanax had The BFF made the Olympics.

I have to say, P&G’s ad agency really stepped up this year, causing me to tear up much more than I originally anticipated. Here are a few of my most favorite Olympic commercials from the London Games:

Kids 2012:

Best Job 2012:

The Difference:

The Team Behind The Team:

Rebuild:

Made in America:

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One Thing I Love: Playhouse Square

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Charlene Ann

I asked what some of your favorite things were about Cleveland so now it’s my turn. One of my most favorite things – Playhouse Square. I’ve always been a fan of the arts but now as I’m getting older, I’m enjoying all that Playhouse Square has to offer to Cleveland – especially The Broadway Series. We don’t need to go to NYC to see some of the very best plays and musicals that are often winning or have won Tony Awards.

One of those upcoming plays – War Horse. I had the opportunity to join donors and friends of Playhouse Square (including my lovely date Kimberly) for an evening with War Horse. Extreme puppetry is the best way to describe how they are bringing War Horse to life on stage. War Horse is a story of courage, loyalty and friendship (which means I’ll more than likely be in tears during the play). The story focuses around Joey, a beloved horse, during his journey throughout World War One. His owner, Albert, begins a mission to find Joey and bring him home. The play, currently playing in London and NYC, is brought to life by the life-sized puppets created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company.

 

We were able to see Joey comes to life with the three actors/dancers that bring Joey to life. Due to the grueling nature of bringing Joey to life, there are multiple actors/dancers that take turns playing Joey. And I literally mean, playing Joey. They create the “sound effects”, walk, trot, gallop and run (and in some cases, while having an actor riding the horse). It’s truly unbelievable to see.

Kimberly wanted to invite the boys from War Horse out for apps and drinks with us post-meet and greet. I had no objections.

War Horse is a part of the Key Bank Broadway Series this year at Playhouse Square and will be here April 9-21st (guess who has it on her bday to do list!). Single tickets are on sale and information can be found here. You also have the option to purchase tickets as part of the 7-show season ticket plan (which guarantees seats to The Book of Mormon which I cannot wait to see).

If you haven’t seen a play or musical yet at Playhouse Square, I cannot speak highly enough of the experience. This is one of the best seasons I’ve seen of the Key Bank Broadway Series, so go grab some tickets and enjoy the show(s)!

Disclaimer: I was invited by Playhouse Square to attend the War Horse Meet and Greet as a blogger. As always, all opinions are my own. 

 

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What’s Not To Like?

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Charlene Ann

Oh hey – The Dawg’s Dish – check it out – you won!! Email me your shoe size and address and I’ll get you a pair fabulous new OrthoLite insoles sent to you! (p.s. I used Randon.org to select a winner….Alana just happened to be the lucky winner – and a fantastic coworker!)

This is going to be a short post but I have a lot to catch you up on. But in the meantime, enjoy this awesome video produced by a some of my favorite people (my coworkers). Great work and I love seeing some of my favorite Clevelanders featured in this video.

To wrap the week up – a question for you Cleveland-lovers: What are your top three reasons to live in Cleveland? 

Note: This is work done by the agency I work for. However, I wholeheartedly love the video and think it’s a wonderful example of all of the reasons I love Cleveland.

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Little Miss

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Charlene Ann

My coworker has been calling me a Socialite for the past, oh, six months and it totally cracks me up every time he says it. But seriously, this year has been full of nonstop weekend and weekday plans. And this past Friday I was able to get away but continue having a nonstop weekend which was full of tons of laughter and one of my most favorite bands.

Taking Friday off didn’t mean sleeping in this week cause me and some girlfriends needed to hit the road to head to Cincy. We were in for a fun-filled weekend which included seeing Sugarland, up close and personal in concert. Last summer I went and saw them and I almost think this concert exceeded last (mostly because they played so many songs that they typically haven’t played in concert before). Most of Friday was spent with me trying to get Sugarland’s attention via Twitter because I seriously want Jennifer Nettles to be my best friend for life. She’s like another Bethenny Frankel to me. I can’t even handle how fantastic she is.

Christine was ready to see Sugarland!

She’s my fave.

I die.

Dear Jennifer, please be my best friend.

After coming back into town, I was so excited that The BFF participated in the Pedal to the Point, and finished over 80 miles of riding his bike from Brunswick to Sandusky. He wrapped up Saturday with the Together in MS team and I gotta say I’m very proud. He’s one of two people that have MS and have participated in the Together in MS team that have finished their leg of the race. And it’s lit a fire in him to hopefully do all 150 miles next year! The fact that he’s been so vocal about his life living with MS the past year has inspired me and made me so proud to call him my best friend. Life doesn’t end at diagnosis and he is a great example of that. Yay BFF!

Sunday was a day of errands, relaxing and helping some friends celebrate their engagement. I love Sundays with good friends (who happen to also be coworkers) and great wine!

What else happened this weekend, Cleveland?

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A Running Start

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Charlene Ann

Hi Friends!

I have lots to update on my fun-filled, fantastic, Sugarland-filled weekend but that’ll need to come later.

First things first, who doesn’t love a fun Cleveland event? Especially when it’s to get active? This Thursday (August 9th) at Second Sole in Rocky River, The Runners Exchange will be taking place. The Runners Exchange is a multi-city event, led by Lifestyle Runner Jonathan Prince. The goal? Encourage running within organization, companies and schools. By having CEOs and those in leadership positions join in the race with Prince and their employees, the goal is that this is the first-step for employees to incorporate running into their daily habit. Jonathan is a runner, speaker and a philanthropist which I, of course, totes love. He uses his forum to promote positive change and inspire people to reach their goals.

As part of the upcoming event, OrthoLite is sponsoring the event and I was lucky enough to be asked to give away a few pairs of these fantastic insoles! Personally, I can’t wait to get my pair (mostly because I’ve ruined my feet after years of wearing the wrong shoes…seriously The BFF has diagnosed my issues a million times).

So because I want to give away some of these insoles, I want you to do the following to enter (three different ways to enter):
1. Like OrthoLite on Facebook (leave a comment below letting me know you did so)
2. Follow OrthoLite on Twitter (leave a comment below letting me know you did so)
3. Tweet the following “I want to win a pair of OrthoLite Insoles from @cacoughlin and you can too! http://wp.me/1o7Bm” (leave a comment below letting me know you did so)

The contest ends Wednesday (7/8/12) at midnight so be sure to get your entries in.

Good luck and get running this Thursday!

(Disclaimer: In return for my posting about The Runners Exchange, I was given a pair of OrthoLites, as well as some to giveaway. As always though – all opinions are my own!)

 

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A Little Rhapsody for the End of Your Summer

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Charlene Ann

Can you believe summer is wrapping up already? Don’t get me wrong – I LOVE the fall (Browns, boots, sweaters…) but this summer has been one of the best for so any different reasons. But don’t fret, there’s still plenty to get involved with in our awesome city.

Looking for something to do next weekend? How about hanging out with Grandmaster Flash (yes, one of the founding fathers of hip-hop) and the Progressive Arts Alliance?

PAA is a nonprofit organization who inspires students to reach their potential (and how can you not support that type of mission?) I love that PAA works with 1,000 students each week (throughout the school year) reaching out via schools, community organizations and libriaries. As someone that was involved in the arts throughout elementary, middle and high school – I can attest to the fact that arts helps to round out a student. It made me a better student, helped me develop friendships and confidence (note: I went to a private school my entire life. Some say that makes you live in a bubble – it doesn’t. But I was lucky enough that I had friends from all aspects of life and that cliques weren’t nearly as bad in my school and most). I’m such a fan of the PAA organization that I’m hoping you’ll get involved and help them out.

PAA is hosting DJ Grandmaster Flash (a Rock and Roll Fall of Fame inductee) on August 11th at 7:30 as part of their 10 year anniversary benefit. At one of my favorite downtown locations, House of Blues, the event “Ten Years of Rhapsody: A PAA Celebration” will also feature a Cleveland favorite – Cleveland Councilman Matt Zone. Back in one of the best decades ever, the 80s, Zone was a part of the Cleveland break dancing group – Project 5. During the evening, you’ll be able to learn more about Councilman Zone and Power 5. And – you’ll have the chance to see the special reunion performance!

General Admission tickets are $25 with VIP tickets available for $50. To learn more, or purchase tickets to support this great organization, visit PAA.

Love this quote from Councilman Zone: “The invaluable lessons I learned as a youthful break dancer in the 1980s helped propel me into a successful career as an adult.I am excited that Progressive Arts Alliance is helping students learn the same important lessons I learned about diversity and
more through bringing the arts, hip-hop, and other creative expressions to youth in our region.”

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Pedalin’ to the Point

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Charlene Ann

One of the signature events for the National MS Society is Pedal to the Point. A ridiculous event having Ohioians race from Cleveland (Brunswick) to Sandusky and back all for the name of raising money for the Socity.

I was first introduced to the event back in the day when The BFF first rode in the race (post-speedskating, pre-coaching career). He, being the athlete he is, rode the entire 150 miles and killed it. There are a lot of reasons that people are involved with Pedal to the Point – obviously some have MS, or have loved ones with MS but some riders are just looking for a great two day race, as well as help out a great cause.

Together In MS

This year The BFF is joining with others who have MS and support the Society with the Together in MS team (featuring Amazing Race host Phil Keogan). I’m totally bumming that I’ll be missing his rally on Friday night, as well as his race on Saturday (already had Sugarland tix otherwise you’d know I’d be there). But I’m very proud that he’s become more and more involved over the last year and will be racing once again.

If you are looking for a great cause to get involved with – this is just one. Consider donating or volunteering. I know the Society is still looking for day of volunteers (either Friday night, Saturday or Sunday).

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Wrapping the Month Up

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Charlene Ann

I can’t imagine a better way to end my month of July. Friends, drinks, Olympics and concerts. What could have been better?

My weekend kicked off on Wednesday when this happened:

VIP Bottle Service

Oh and this:

Just me and Joe (Haden)

Yes, a good night with coworkers and friends for sure.

Friday, I hosted my third ever (just taking one year off for my thyroid cancer surgery) Olympic Opening Ceremony Party, #CLElympics. This year was filled with good friends, good food and lots of laughter. And way too much vodka, which I regretted on Saturday morning. Luckily I had nothing on my calendar for Saturday except bonding with my couch and watching hours of the Olympics. Which seriously, I’ve been glued to.

What’s that Janelle?

Girls

Too cute.

Heart this girl!

Sunday, Tabitha surprised me and was able to score me two tickets to by far the best concert of my summer to date: Brothers of the Sun Tour. Featuring my favorites K. Ches and Tim McGraw. The opening acts: Luke Owen and Grace Potter – AMAZING. And Tim McGraw in those white jeans and that white tshirt….not many 40 year old men can pull that look off. And K. Ches did not disappoint (both with music and with the tight jeans he was sporting).

 

Thank you girl!

Oh Hi, Love

Hmm…

Heart Him

When he sang “In the morning I’m leaving, making my way back to Cleveland” the stadium went nuts.

Yes, I was dragging Monday but it was totally worth it. Not to mention, I have a four-day work week, on Friday heading down to Cincy to see Sugarland with some girlfriends. There’s more going on this weekend too but that’ll need to be for a later post 🙂

How was your weekend? Am I the only one going through withdraw from the Olympics when I have to go to work?

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