Friday, May 18, 2012
Patch bloggers share their wisdom
1. Can $1 stadium dog be overpriced? Patch blogger Adam Gockowski thinks so. Gockowski has written one of the most thoughtful screeds in the history of ballpark franks. "The official hotdog of the Indians are Sugardale Hotdogs," Gockowski writes. "According to my tastebuds, Sugardale hotdogs are no different than microwavable, rolled-up balogna. The quality of a Sugardale is very cheap and I think $1 is too much for it, let alone the regular price (of $4.") What ballparks serve worthy wieners? Read Gockowski's latest post to find out. 2. Dennis Spirgen -- attorney, blogger, nice guy -- is a wealth of information when it comes to legal matters. For example, did you know that you can't sue a public recreation area (like the Metroparks) if …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
How did the mothers of Mentor Patch's Moms Council react to the controversial Time cover?
Each week the Mentor Patch Moms Council answers a question on parenthood posed to them by readers or another member of council. This week's question: Time Magazine wrote a story about attachment parenting and put a woman breastfeeding her 3-year-old son on the cover. (The story is not available online. All I could find is a behind-the-scenes gallery.) This has touched off a debate on how long a mother can or should breast feed. So, the obligatory question is, how long did you breast feed (if you breast fed?) And, if you saw the Time cover or read the story, what was your reaction? Melanie Majikas: I think the cover photo was ridiculous and obviously designed for shock value and to further inflame these trumped up "mommy wars" that don't …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Read the letter and tell us what you love about Cleveland
Chef Michael Symon, owner of Eton Plaza's B-Spot and other area restaurants, showed a little emotion and a lot of Cleveland pride in a touching love letter to Cleveland for The Huffington Post today. Raised in North Olmsted and a graduate of Lakewood's St. Edward High School, he reminisces about places all over the area: I remember when I was young and I would spend my entire weekends with you and my grandfather: heading to the Eastside and staying with my grandparents; taking the rapid Downtown; shopping at the Westside Market with all its fabulous aromas of smoked meats and baked breads. It is here I found my true love for food, for going to the historic Terminal Tower to pick up my Grandma at Higbees and heading back east to cook split …
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sound Off: Do You Own Fish, and What Makes Them Good Pets?
When I asked my husband to explain the appeal of pet fish again, he replied, “Just 'cause.” I was driving, and turning to see me unmoved, he added, “'Cause they're fun to look at. And they're entertaining. And they're somethinge else to get interested in.” (He's been wanting to get a tank for years.) For someone who grew up with fish in the house — zebras, angels, guppies, all kinds of little lesser-names — I don't know why I've rejected the idea of adding fish to our household for so long. The cats would absolutely eat them up. (Ahem, not literally.) The tank I had in college was minimal, though large for its occupants: Mei Ling the betta fish, Ping the big snail, and an ever-growing pleco I never named because he creeped me out. And, yes…
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Let us never take for granted the little gifts our children bring us
I remember the very first time Sadie, my oldest daughter, picked a flower to give to me. It was, of course, a dandelion. In her chubby little childish fist, though, it was special to my “mother’s heart.” As a matter of fact, it is currently pressed and dried and residing in her baby book. Back then, her newfound flower-picking ability was especially noteworthy. (Her usual toddler behavior was eating sand out of the sandbox.) A fistful of wilting daisies, a gloppy mess of congealed finger-paint on construction paper, notes with a scribbled “I (heart) Mom,” a wide baby grin, a slobbery good night kiss right on the lips, a sticky hug, a whispered, “you are my best Mommy, Mommy!” or “I never want to let go of this hug!” These are priceless …
Tweets about North Carolina's decision to ban gay marriage, the death of beloved author Maurice Sendak and more
Saturday, May 12, 2012
How to you feel about the new close-to-home gambling spot?
The new Horseshoe Casino is set to open Monday night. Big crowds are expected to swarm in when the doors open at 9:30 p.m. But while some people will celebrate the new casino, others will barely notice it's there, and others believe it never should have been built. Obviously, developers believe it'll be a big hit -- in fact, it is estimated the casino will draw 5 million visitors during its first year. Will you be one of them? What are your feelings on downtown Cleveland gambling?
Friday, May 11, 2012
Soak in the wisdom of the bloggers on Mentor Patch
1. All dog owners love their pet and think he or she is special. (Well, almost all.) But does your dog have what it takes to be therapy dog? Is your dog qualified to comfort those who need it most? "The reality of therapy dog activity is usually a bit different than one assumes," warns Elizabeth Richards, a blogger for Mentor Patch and the owner of Digging Dogs. Take the quiz that Richards posted to see if your dog has what it takes to be a therapy dog. 2. This class of college seniors is going to join the working world soon (hopefully.) And, if you thought school was difficult, just wait until you get to work. There's an enormous learning curve when it comes to this lifestyle adjustment. Fortunately, Kelly Blazek -- our Job Search House …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
How do you keep prom from breaking your bank?
Each week the Mentor Patch Moms Council answers a question on parenthood posed to them by readers or another member of council. This week's question: How much is reasonable to spend on prom for your kids? Jill Korsok: Two years ago, when my daughter went to prom, we talked about what we should spend. We thought the dress would be the biggest expense but found a beautiful dress at Dillard's for only $99! Her date offered to buy the prom ticket, so that was easy. She had a group of friends she was attending with and they debated on what to do with dinner, which they thought would be the most expensive part of the night. My husband and I threw out the option of allowing us to host them all for dinner at our house and they were all really …
Monday, May 7, 2012
Ohio Department of Agriculture Frustrated With Inability to Monitor Post-Quarantine Care
Two leopards, two Celebes Macaques and a bear are back in Zanesville. And yes, they are back on the same property from which they were released with more than 50 other wild animals back in October. Marian Thompson, the widow of the man responsible for that release, who took his own life, brought her animals home Friday after a quarantine keeping them at the Columbus Zoo was lifted. Now that they're there, though — affirmed by the “Welcome Back!” balloon tied to the mailbox outside her rural homestead Friday — local authorities can only become involved in their safekeeping if they receive a complaint, and state authorities cannot get involved at all. Clearly frustrated, last week the Ohio Department of Agriculture released this statement, …
SharEd
2:44 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Cleveland and the surrounding area has it all! Moved here in '96 from FL and have never looked back. You never run out of things to do, places to see, and it's beautiful too. Some areas look like Europe or New England -- charming towns with gazebos and commons. There's so much to do and the summers are glorious! Fall too! I love the sun shining on crystal snow and huge snowflakes falling! I've … more ›