Fabulous Food Show Giveaway

Fabulous Food Show full of awesome. 

I love to give stuff away. It makes me feel a little like Oprah. 

A little. 

The good folks at the 8th Annual Fabulous Food Show *and* International Beerfest have given me a pair of tickets to giveaway! Oooo doggies.

If you are anything like me and are a fan of the Food Network or cooking shows like Top Chef, this is  it. This my friends, will be the place to be. 

I love, love, love, love LOVE Tom Colicchio. Not only is he the cool no shinnegans head judge on Top Chef, he is also the creator of the most delicious meal I have ever consumed in my entire life. More years than I will admit ago, I went to a wedding in Vegas. The reception was at Colicchio's craftsteak in the MGM Grand. It was a five course meal of the most amazing food I have ever chowed down. I remember wanting to take a fork home as a memento (no, I did not take it. I was preoccupied with my martini).

If Tom doesn't pull you in, it has to be my favorite judge from Iron Chef and Chopped and new Iron Chef - Alex Guarnaschelli. She has a look that can strike fear into the heart of the toughest chef. I love it!

The Fabulous Food Show will be at the IX Center, November 8-10 from 10 am - 6 pm daily.  Check out the website to find out where you can find your favorite celebrity chef. With over 450 exhibitors and 100 live demonstrations, there is something for everyone in the family!

You can purchase single day or 3-day passes. General Admission tix are $25 and General Admission tix to the International Beer Fest Grand Tasting are $45. There are all sorts of other packages so check out more info here.

Ok, now for the YAYYY!

There are a couple of ways to enter to win tickets, so make sure you leave a separate comment for each method of entry. I let a computer program pick the winner, so if you don't comment, you lose an entry.

Bummer for you if you don't follow directions.

You can also tweet daily, but make sure you come back and leave a comment. 

1. Leave a comment telling me which chef you are most excited to see.
2. Tweet the following: "I want to win a pair of tix to the @FabFoodShow from @clevelandchick! #Nom http://bit.ly/17venBe "

3. Follow the @Fabulous Food Show on the Twitter. 
4. Like the Fabulous Food Show on the Facebook.
6. Follow @clevelandchick on the Twitter.

You have until Saturday, November 2 at noon to enter. Remember, you can tweet once per day. Let's face it, if you tweet more than that, people will want to hurt both of us, so be cool.

Disclosure: I was given a pair of tix for myself and a pair to giveaway to you fabulous foodie people. I'm so excited to go to this I am bouncing around like a puppy. All the words here are my own and currently fueled by way too much hazelnut coffee. 

The Browns QB Nightmare Carousal

The List. Image yoinked from the Brokaw.com site.

Dear Browns,

I hope you will pardon me for addressing the entire organization. There are so many involved in the decision making of different issues at different times, I didn't want to neglect anyone.

I have always been, first and foremost, a Browns fan. Yes, I have dabbled with other teams -  I rooted for the Chargers when I was 8 because of my unwavering crush on Dan Fouts and when I lived in Indianapolis - following Peyton Manning from Tennessee to Indy - they received some of my attention.

At Lucas Oil Stadium, I was known as the "Cleveland Chick" by some of the NFL Network and Media types. I was working in the same stadium as the SuperBowl Champions, and I was only concerned with the Cleveland score. I tell you this, because you are testing my resolve.

I am fortunate that I have lived through Browns playoff games. I remember what it was like watching the Kardiac Kids. I remember the excitement flowing through the city. Many fans now have no idea what it feels like to win. It truly hurts my heart.

The endless rebuilding. The carousal of quarterbacks and next big things. It is tiring.

We, as fans, all have our own breaking points and I am close to mine.

Sirs, if you puree cauliflower and serve it on an beautifully expensive dish and call it cheesecake, it doesn't make it so.

A ridiculous statement? Maybe. But so are your announcements of rebuilding.  Pleading with fans, insisting on their patience borders on offensive.

I apologize for my bluntness, but each season slowly drains me of my fanaticism. When I see my beloved team and city the butt of jokes - giving the media and the league a laugh - I get angry. And then just tired.

I'm tired of waiting for next year.

I'm tired of talking about the next draft in October.

I'm tired of the broken promises.

As a children, we all had that one favorite toy. The one that we dragged everywhere and cried inconsolably if it was out of our sight. Then, one day, that toy lost its luster. It became less important as our lives moved forward. Eventually, that treasured possession became a memory.

That, sirs, is what the Browns are becoming. No amount of smoke, flames or snazzy DJs can make up for a failing team.

I implore you, please, get it right. Do what it takes to win again. Stop the never-ending carousal of quarterback doom.

Just win.

Thank you for your time.

Edited to add this:

Bourbon Street Ball Giveaway

This kiddies, is a fun giveaway.

The Bourbon Street Ball, presented by the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland and the House of Blues Cleveland, is more than some shiny beads.  This event, on October 27, will be hosted by Cleveland 102's Kory in his FINAL Cleveland public appearance (sniffles) and Veranda L'Ni, not only the tallest drag queen in Cleveland, but also the hostess of Drag Bingo.

Entertainment will be provided by comedienne Suzanne Westenhoefer and STOMPer Elec Simon.

This event is not only fun and beadalicious, it is also the largest event for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community of Greater Cleveland. This group's Mission is to advance the rights, respect and diversity of the LGBT community.  

I'm giving away a pair of general admission tickets, but if you want to make your plans now, DO IT.

Here are the dets:

EVENT: The Bourbon Street Ball, presented by the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland and the House of Blues Cleveland

WHEN: Sunday, October 27, 2013

WHERE: House of Blues Cleveland

TIME: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

COST: $250 for VIP, $95 general admission 
$60 for low-income seniors and students. 

For a complete list of ticket levels, sponsorship opportunities and more, click here.  

Ok, now for the YAYYY!

There are a couple of ways to enter to win tickets, so make sure you leave a separate comment for each method of entry. I let a computer program pick the winner, so if you don't comment, you lose an entry.

Bummer for you if you don't follow directions.

You can also tweet daily, but make sure you come back and leave a comment.

1. Leave a comment telling me what you are most excited for about the Bourbon Street Ball (is it the beads, food, beads, entertainment, drag bingo, beads).
2. Tweet the following: "I want to win a pair of tix to the @BourbonStBall from @clevelandchick! #beads http://bit.ly/17rEcP6 "
3. Follow the Bourbon Street Ball on the Twitter.
4. Like the Bourbon Street Ball on the Facebook.
6. Follow @clevelandchick on the Twitter.

You have until Saturday, October 19 at noon to enter. Remember, you can tweet once per day. Let's face it, if you tweet more than that, people will want to hurt both of us, so be cool.

Disclosure: I was given a pair of tix for myself and a pair to giveaway to you fabulous party people. I'm enormously bummed that I will not be able to make this shindig, but you can still go. All the words here are my own and currently fueled by way too much diet coke and a cafe mocha. 

Cleveland Day of Fun

Old friends having fun. Captain Picard and Elmo for the win.

Last week, I planned on going to the Rock Hall with my bestie and we ended up on an amazing whirlwind tour of Cleveland.

We had so much fun running around town that I just had to share it.

Grumpys in Tremont is my favorite breakfast spot.

We started the day with brunch at Grumpy's in Tremont. If you have never been, it is a delicious place to eat. It is busy on the weekends but not so busy that you want to start pulling a fire alarm for a table.

My favorite is the blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon.

After filling our tummies with homemade food, we hit the town.

A Christmas Story House.

Since we were in Tremont, we did a drive by the Christmas Story House. I love the fact that there is always someone hopping out of their car taking pictures at any time.

Paninis

Our next stop was the Indians Team shop, hoping to get a quick tour of the ball park. We arranged something but had an hour to kill. It was around noon, we had time to kill and I had 5 diet cokes at Grumpy's, so we stopped at Paninis for a potty break, and a beer.

These signs at Progressive Field made me sad.

ZOOOM to Progressive Field. The main goal was to take a picture of the new mural after Giambi's walk off, but I couldn't help to snap some pics on our way. These signs were in the hallway. 

*sniff*

The Giambi Walkoff Mural.

This mural makes me so excited for Spring Training this year. I can't wait. There is still time to get your season tickets. I have a 20 game pack, which is just right.

Skylift

We zoomed out of Progressive Field, planning on going to the Rock Hall. But then we saw the car for the Cleveland Skylift project. It is an awesome idea, but it made me a little squicky to think about it in the winter time or being trapped with stinky strangers for the whole ride.

There is no sitting on the monument.

Zooooom off we went to the Rock Hall, but we decided since it was on our way, to stop and see a few sites. There was a sign that the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument was open, so why not visit?

There were little spikes all around the top, to stop people from popping a squat on the monument walls.

Beautiful day at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument

I'm embarrassed to say I have never been inside. It was small but beautiful. The staff member inside was informative and great to talk to. There are tunnels underneath that are normally not open to the public, but Halloween weekend they will be. It is rumored that it is haunted by the ghost of the man that designed the monument.

Tiffany Windows, signed by Tiffany in the Old Stone Church.

We were a block away, so we went into the Old Stone Church. Again, another landmark in Cleveland that I have never visited. The staff was amazingly friendly and they let us wander around and take a few pictures. There are a few stained glass windows that were created and signed by Tiffany himself. The visit was free. Yayy.

Cops, horses and hot dogs.

As we crossed the street, some cops were getting hot dogs. On horseback.

Ahem...

Great Lakes Science Center - Titanic Exhibit - First Class quarters.

We hopped back in the car and drove towards the Rock Hall, where I am a member. But then we decided to see the Titanic exhibit at the Great Lakes Science Center. I had a pair of Indians ticket stubs and with those, we got in FREE (call for details).  While we got in the museum free, we had to pay for this exhibit, but it was well worth the ten bucks.

There are no photos in the exhibit, but it was very well done, including an simulated iceberg you can touch and freeze your hand off on. I admit, when I touched the iceberg, I actually thought about all of the Road Rules/Real World challenges where contestants have to touch ice until they quit or get frost bite.

I can't imagine the amount of wealth that was required to book passage on the Titanic. When you enter the exhibit, you are given the pass card of a passenger and at the end you can see if you person was rescued or not.

Johnny's Little Bar in the warehouse district.

After the Titanic exhibit, we decided we were hungry and since it was dinner time, off we went. We stopped in Johnny's Little Bar for what was labeled the best burger in the city.

It was pretty darn tasty.

Peanut Butter sammiches, yo.

After dinner, it was nearing rush hour, so we decided on dessert, and went to Sweet Moses in Gordon Square.  Again, I had never been and was looking over my shoulder to see if someone was going to revoke my Cleveland card. I went with a sundae and am contemplating a peanut butter sammich for my return.

I also took home a slice of apple pie, that my dad snarfed before I could even put it on the counter.

The witty counter at Loop.

After ice cream, we returned to Tremont to get my car. Before we parted ways, we stopped in Loop for some road coffee. This joint is not only a coffee place, but they also have a great record store...and by record, I mean actual vinyl records.

I'm amazed at how much we were able to pack in, and most of it completely unplanned. Which is the best kind of day.

So Cleveland, what is your perfect day?

Cars Go Crash

Scully investigating a crash.

I let my pop borrow my car and he ended up totaling it.


No one was hurt and the person he hit drove home with barely a scratch. My car however, looked like the Hulk played SMASH with the hood. It was completely peeled back and scrunched like an accordion.

Awesome.

When I went to see the car, there was no damage from the behind or the sides. When I looked at it straight on, one headlight shoved in the engine compartment, I was overwhelmed with gratitude because no one was hurt. My poor pop feels awful, but it was an accident and it happens.

And then, I considered vomiting on the engine. I kept it together, but barely.

Coughing up the keys to a fabulous Ford.

I have a lot of ridiculous not fit to blog stuff going on right now, and buying a new car does not fit in my life equation. Not. At. All.

After much google fu and a few heart palpitations, I found a car in my budget. A 2003 Ford Taurus. I now look like your friendly government employee rolling down the street. Well, that is if they weren't furloughed. Ahem.


I waited to hear back from a good friend that is the car whisperer, and once he gave me a thumbs up, I bought the car.

Even though it was the cheapest thing with wheels on their lot, the peeps at Serpentini in Strongsville were good to me. My guy, Tom, was the anti-sales dude, and was polite, friendly and unpushy. They made a stressful decision a little less. But, maybe that is the  diet pepsis I had while making up my mind.

Here is a fun trick -buy a car and pay with cash. And by cash, I don't mean check or money order, I mean crinkly and wrinkly greenbacks. No one knows what to do when someone doesn't pay with a card.

Grrrr...smokers.

My new to me car drives like a tank (which is good because we are going to get destroyed this winter, I'm calling it) and it has a cd player and moon roof so rock on like Donkey Kong. 

The big issue however, besides feeling like an out of town chick on business, is that the car was owned by a stinky smoker. Ok, I don't know if the smoker was stinky as a person, but the smoke is still left in the car.

I have tried all sorts of things; volcanic rocks,  sprays, gel thingies, and I'm getting ready to try the coffee grounds in the back seat. Someone told me vinegar works, but that seems like going from one stinky thing to another. I really don't want to walk around smelling like a boardwalk french fry.

So readers, any suggestions for getting stinky smoke smell out of my car?

Leave me a comment.

A moment of silence for my Saturn.