Get a Plan
Who Do You Want to Be?
By Traci McBride
A new month, a new year, a new decade. What will you be and how will you get there?
Create a plan to live out loud. Living Out Loud is the cure for a stagnant life. Ccash through routines and embrace fresh new activities, support local businesses, enjoy all that Northeast Ohio offers. Ready, set, go!
Set ground rules
Who: Is this a solo goal or would you rather team with a friend, spouse or with another couple or group?
What: Who will be choosing the activity? Switching off each time with others can be fun.
When? Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly?
Budget: Assign a 2020 budget for both your time and money for your push to live out loud.
Cool Places
- Cocktails or dinner in a winter igloo on the patio at Georgetown in Lakewood. Invite your coolest friends.
- Relive six decades at flowerchildvintage.com chock-full of childhood memories from 1930’s to 1980’s. With stores in Cleveland and Columbus, explore anytime of the year.
A Natural High
- Miller Nature Preserve is tucked in the middle of the city’s hustle and bustle. With ever-changing exhibits, its Butterfly House is a favorite place to feed your soul June-Labor Day metroparks.cc/miller_nature_preserve.php
- Nature Center at Shaker Heights, year-round activities for all ages. shakerlakes.org
Let Them Entertain You
- We have a plethora of major museums and theaters. When was the last time you visited?
- Cleveland Public Theatre: cptonline.org
- A great Westlake gem: clagueplayhouse.org
- Murder Mystery anyone? This can be a hoot with a group.
pickwickandfrolic.com/new-murder-mystery
- Mystery dinners are held throughout the year at Punderson State Park. pundersonmanor.com
It’s Just Plain Fun
Bowling, Bocce and other games will work-up a hunger for great food and drinks and provide year-round entertainment.
East: Pinstripes at Pinecrest pinstripes.com/cleveland-ohio
Downtown: Punch Bowl Social punchbowlsocial.com/location/cleveland
West: Topgolf Cleveland topgolf.com/us/cleveland
New Skill Thrills
Shop, eat & learn new cooking skills at Architectural Justice Gallery & Cafe in Strongsville architecturaljustice.com/architectural-justice-gallery-cafe
Learn & eat what you make in a group setting at Loretta Paganini School of Cooking in Chesterland lpscinc.com
- Try this website for food-centered activities tasteclevelandfoodtours.com/cooking-class
- Want to experience a one-time cooking class with a friend or two? surlatable.com/classes/in-store-classes
Hungry for More?
Tri-C Encore Campus Friday has a long list of classes to engage your brain and pique your interest tri-c.edu/encore-senior-adult-programs/encore-campus-west.html
- Learn just about anything at Polaris Continuing Ed. polaris.edu/adult-education
- If you prefer a more social one-off experience, try Painting with a Twist paintingwithatwist.com
- Prefer diving deeper? BAYarts has numerous classes bayarts.net/class-list#adults
Good Deeds
Looking to be of service in 2020 to support a worthy charity?
- Support local women to employment Dress for Success Cleveland cleveland.dressforsuccess.org
- Lift up children in need a bed with Sleep in Heavenly Peace shpbeds.org Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Rut Busters
- Switch Sides- Long time Eastsiders or Westsiders need to spend more time on the other side. Let’s bust this east vs west feud.
- Make-up a challenge based on your passion food. Best Tacos or Best Pizza Best Fish Fry etc. – visit the best places to find your very favorite – ask strangers where they go for the ‘Best of…’ and give it a try. Reach out on social media and ask friends to share their favorites.
- Throw-out a random invitation to your friends and invite them to join you. Try, “Friday we are going to be at (fill in the blank) for tacos, if you’re in the neighborhood, join us!” See who shows up.
