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When is the last time you went to the Quicken Loans Arena for something OTHER THAN a Cavs game?  I know, I know…Although I’ve been my fair share of concerts there in the past few years, I’m guilty of being Cavs-centric too. BUT there’s a huge variety of shows and other fun events going on there all the time, including our very own Lake Erie Monsters!

Lake Erie Monsters | Cleveland | iCarabout.com

Yes, we have a hockey team. Is is kind of sad that I can remember going to the Lumberjacks games back in the days of the Gund when I was a little blondie? Sheesh…I’m getting old. 

Anyways, going to a Monsters game is another fabulous, snowy, winter date-night activity in this lovely city of ours!  Lucky for me, I won a pretty posh ticket package through Positively Cleveland. Just another reason for me to love them dearly. Although, after the fun we had, I’d definitely purchase more tickets myself for another fun night out!

The night started off with lots of lots of snow…I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. We went this past Friday, with all the “snowpocalypse” warnings out. I invited Jason and Kelton to come with me, and since I won 2 tickets,  we just bought another one.

TOTALLY WORTH IT.

Lake Erie Monsters Hockey | Cleveland | iCarabout.com

Everyone had a blast! Not only was the game action packed, but the fans were totally into it. The game was also filled with lots of fun intermissions, kind of like the Cavs games. They had all the local mascots there, Lake Erie Monster dancers, contests, give-aways and a great in-arena host!  They even put on the Cavs overtime after the Monsters game for everyone to watch. (The Monsters lost, but the Cavs won in OT!!)

Lake Erie Monsters | Cleveland, OH | Jason Murphy | iCarabout.com

Kelton, Jason and I got special access to the Platinum Lounge with all the free food and drinks we could handle, thanks to Positively Cleveland. I also got free parking in the East Garage, which was way convenient for me since I hate being cold.

The Lake Erie Monsters hockey games are just one more reason to be #HappyinCLE, so why not try checking one out a on the next snowy Cleveland night you have free. It’s a great date night idea and/or fun for a family visit too.  While you’re free, also stop by Positively Cleveland’s website and tell them what makes you happy in CLE+ for a chance to win 1 of their prize packages!

More pictures from the night

As much as us Clevelanders love our city, we can’t deny that the 6 month long winters can kind of get a little old after a while. It’s hard to find fun, fresh date night ideas that don’t involve going out to eat or having some civilizers (as Jason calls them) at the bar after work. As much as I love doing those things, it gets a bit repetitive after a while, even with our amazing restaurant choices.

SNOWTORIOUS | Cleveland | iCarabout.com

Well, Jason and I had been talking about going bowling for a while now. We’ve even tried to plan a double date to meet up at the Corner Alley on E4th. These plans failed over and over again before we realized that although Corner Alley is probably a blast, we wanted to really immerse ourselves into the REAL bowling experience.

Confused? 

As a native Clevelander, I’ve grown up to know that the Southwestern suburbs of our grand city (i.e. Parma/Brook Park) are where the real bowling magic happens. It seems that almost everyone living in this area is either in a bowling league, or knows at least 5 people who are. And trust me, I’m not insulting bowling leagues. After my experience, I’m actually bugging Jason to join one with me. 

With this knowledge intact, Jason and I set out on an adventurous date night to Brookgate Lanes Bowling Center. No, I’m not kidding. If you’re going to try something, you might as well try the honest to god, true experience. Especially one that left us waiting at the bar for the leagues to finish up their games. Seriously. This place was PACKED and quite “happening” on a Thursday night.  So, we waited patiently at the bar, watching the Cavs and chatting it up with the bartender. 

Once our names were called for an open lane, we bought two games and picked out our bowling balls. I took especially long to find one because of my mutant thumb. Don’t ask. (I guess if I had to be born with one malformed body part, I’m glad it was a fat thumb). I was really surprised how friendly and helpful the staff was, especially after the hectic night they had. They came right over, asked us if we had bowled before, and then showed us everything. Not only that, they kept coming back to see if we needed anything and then brought us coupons to use if we come back. 

Cleveland Plus Bowling | Jason Matthew Murphy | iCarabout.com

Anyways, after all his talk about being HORRIBLE at bowling, Jason proceeded to kick my blonde little butt all night. Although, I have to say that before I hurt my (mutant) thumb, I was giving him a run for his money.  

We honestly had a BLAST and are looking forward to more bowling dates, adventures, and laughs to come…maybe even in Parma?  I’m sure we’ll eventually give Corner Alley a shot, but maybe once we’re up to pro-status with our skills. 

Oh, and by the way, perfect bowling date night food? Taco Bell picnic in your car. It’s quite romantic if I do say so myself.

To be completely honest, I can’t begin to express how happy-excited-pumped-proud this local Cleveland company makes me. It’s literally hard to contain. Call me a groupie if you will…I confess I am, and darn proud to be.

If you haven’t checked out C.L.E. Clothing Co.‘ s shirts yet, I’m here today to save your life.

EVERY.CLEVELANDER.SHOULD.OWN.ONE.

END.OF.STORY.

To be perfectly clear, I have nothing to gain for shamelessly confessing my love for this company and in turn, promoting the heck out of them. It’s my pleasure. Not only are their ideas/designs/styles AWESOME, but they use American Apparel t-shirts. I’m pretty sure that if you love tees as much as I do AND you’re from Cleveland, life doesn’t get any better than that.

C.L.E. Clothing Co. | Cleveland Entertainment Reporter | iCarabout.com

I was slow to discover this gem, I’ll admit. I also don’t know much about        C.L.E. Clothing Co. besides that it was started by two guys, who obviously had a great creative vision and made it happen.  Anyways, I saw a few of these            “I ‘basketball’ Cleveland” shirts floating

around and I started thinking to myself, “Those are fantastic, I NEED ONE”.  So, around Christmas time this year, I trolled the Internet and Twitter and finally found them. I ordered a shirt for my man first, then immediately called my sister who just moved to LA.  She was so excited about these shirts that I think she may have ordered 3 or 4 to be shipped all the way out in Cali.  Plus I ended up getting an awesome Browns one from my guy! Might I add that he didn’t know at the time that I had also purchased him one. Freaky, I know. Ordering was simple, I got my shirts fast, and I’ve been connecting with them via facebook and twitter (GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE).

So, please…do yourself a favor and check them out. Not only is this company inspirational, they also just give us another reason to be proud of our great city of Cleveland. REP’ OUR CITY! They also represent a local blogger of our own: Cleveland’s A Plum . Check out her t-shirts on their site and her blog!  Another perk: If you become a fan of C.L.E. on facebook, you’ll get to see their new shirt concepts and comment on them before they hit the store too!

***Oh, and beware of the imitators because they have a lot of them! There’s only one!

C.L.E. Clothing Co. | Cleveland Entertainment Reporter | iCarabout.com

Oh, hey! Remember me? Well, I’m back with a vengeance PEOPLE! I have some great blogs coming soon so don’t fret!

I just wanted to let you know real quick that it’s that time of year again. What do I mean? It’s “Best of Metromix Cleveland” TIME!! If you love Cleveland as much as I do, then set aside some time this week and vote for your favorite places in “The Land”.  I can’t remember what the categories were last year, but it seems like they have a lot of new, interesting ones this year.  I know I had a lot of fun voting…and not just because it took up an hour of my time at work .

Anyways, get on Metromix Cleveland and cast your votes! Also, I know there were lots of places I LOVE that were not nominated this year.  Feel free to leave comments (positive or negative) and let me know which ones you didn’t  see!  Oh, and please vote Map Room for best pizza! (Hehe, only if you really want to)

Hello and welcome to my life…in blog form. I’m here to share the well kept secrets of the fun, new and different things to do around the Cleveland area. Many of us don’t get to take advantage of the multicultural aspects and secret little hideaways of C-Town but I’m here to show you what you’re missing! So, if you’re interested in checking out some new things to do and being up to date on the nightlife, then stop by often. Leave comments, suggestions, tips, I want it all. The more I know the more I can share. You’ll even get a little insight to my crazy life here in Cleveland as a struggling, young college grad, looking for my break into the TV news industry. As much as I hate to admit it, my life tends to be quite entertaining.

For more information about me and all my little secrets (just kidding), go to the “little ‘ole me” tab.