"The Heart Leads You Back..."

“Make your mistakes, take your chances, look silly, but keep on going. Don’t freeze up.” ― Thomas Wolfe, You Can't Go Home Again

       Reflecting on his life in a Sports Illustrated  (SI.com) first person essay NBA star LeBron James stated , "My relationship with Northeast, Ohio is bigger than basketball." and openly admits, "I didn't realize that four years ago. I do now."  Besides Thomas Wolfe, who says you can't go home again? Sure Northeast Ohio and especially Cleveland has been the punchline for  endless jokes over the years. (i.e "What are the only two seasons in Cleveland?- Winter and construction.)"  LeBron James is like a "snowbird" grandparent in reverse, leaving Florida to move home to his native Akron. Crowned with "The Mistake on the Lake" moniker long before King James was even a twinkle in the eye, it's time for a resurgence. So besides the return of  LeBron what else is hot in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio right now?

       The Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame

 In the early years of radio Alan Freed popularized the term " rock ‘n’ roll" as a Cleveland deejay. Local stations still refer to Cleveland as the Rock ‘n’ Roll Capital of the World. Although this claim may be disputed, North East Ohio has produced many notable musicians from Nine Inch Nails, Devo, pianist Jim Brickman, Tracey Chapman, Filter, The O'Jays, and Guided by Voices to Akron's Chrissie Hynde and The Black Keys. The choice of Cleveland as site of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and Museum resulted from tireless organized fund raising efforts to win a call in poll when sites were being considered.

   

   GREAT MOHICAN POW-WOW • July 11-13, 2014
Pow-Wow time is the Native American people's way of coming together, dancing, visiting, singing renewing friendships and making new acquaintances. The Pow-Wow includes dancing, story telling, drumming, crafts, trades, great food and more. This year featuring POW-MIA Ohio Vietnam Wall & Program. Competitors and guests come from around the country. You can plan to spend a day or a weekend enjoying the tradition and pageantry of Native American culture. This friendly competition is held at Mohican Reservation Campground. 1-800-766-2267 or www.mohicanpowwow.com

67th Annual Italian Festival
Downtown Lock 3
200 S Main St, Akron, OH 44308
For more information it-am.org

 IT'S ALIVE! Young Frankenstein is Fully Charged at Beck Center

80th Anniversary Season Closes With Electrifying Mel Brooks Musical
Purchase tickets online at beckcenter.org 
Beck Center for the Arts is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, just ten minutes west of downtown Cleveland. 

Summer Festival of the Arts
Saturday 10am-7pm; Sunday 11am-5pm
Youngstown State University's annual Summer Festival of the Arts features over 70 local, regional, and national artists. Artist's Marketplace and family activities including children's hands-on art tent. Music, theater and dance performances by various groups throughout both days. Festival of Nations features foods and performances from various ethnic and cultural groups in the Mahoning Valley.
 www.ysu.edu/sfa

Toledo Lighthouse Festival Jul 13, 2014
Sat 10 am-8 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm $3/person
Boat rides around Maumee Bay State Park, 1400 State Park Rd., 419.691.3788
toledolighthouse.org
Jul 12, 2014 - Over 50 nautical arts and crafts vendors; silent auction with gift cards, sports memorabilia, continuous entertainment in the amphitheatre, delicious festival foods, children's activities, a sand castle contest, and more.

Go see a Cleveland Indians game at Progressive Field
 or enjoy a  "Grape Escape" Wine-Tasting Excursion
Each train trip is 2 hours in length and travels through Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm
Departs: Rockside Station

After growing up in Ohio, moving away and recently returning home there is plenty of family, beauty and history missed and even more to discover and appreciate.
So welcome to Northeast, Ohio or welcome back. It's not Miami but at least it's not Detroit. (wink!)