Irish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day

There's a semi annual tradition in my house for St. Patrick's Day- dress up like a crazy person and head downtown to hit the bars before most people roll out of bed.  I am 50% Irish (my grandparents came here in the late 40's - grandma is still an Irish citizen), so I feel obligated to celebrate this holiday with my closest friends and thousands of strangers every year.

As a general rule, I don't drink that much (a drink or two here or there), I don't like crowds, and I don't like drunk people, but there's something magical about St. Patty's Day.  It brings people of all ethnic backgrounds together to celebrate.  And it brings a whole heck of a lot of people to downtown Cleveland. 

I support local businesses as much as I can, and I really like seeing SO many people in downtown Cleveland on St. Patrick's Day.  I'm sure if you work in a restaurant or bar downtown, you might not agree with me, but if you're an owner, I bet you appreciate the business.  I didn't even have one drop of alcohol last year and still managed to have a great time. (the people watching alone is worth the Rapid ride)

Every year I buy myself a new shirt to wear on St. Patty's Day, and this year I will be proudly sporting a shirt from C.L.E. Clothing Co.  When I saw this shirt, I just had to have it. 

C.L.E. Clothing Co. shirt and swag

This completely goes against the strategy I've used in past years - trying to find a unique shirt to wear out, but...I'm excited to represent the CLE and Ohio this St. Patty's Day.  I hope to see this shirt on dozens of people downtown!

How will you be celebrating St.Patrick's Day?

You Down With C.L.E.? C.L.E. Clothing Co. Holiday Launch Party

Some people are ashamed to admit that they're from Cleveland.  And I understand that.  What are we best known for?

1. The burning river (I hear that one most often when I travel)
2. The town where no sports team is ever consistently good
3. Quitness

Note: I occasionally hear people tell me that they know about Cleveland for the Rock Hall, so chalk one up in the positive category.

But I like to focus on the positive side of Cleveland.  We've got a vibrant music scene, a wide array of dining options, and to the best of my knowledge, no one has been shot in Tremont lately.  WIN!

Seriously, though, no matter where I travel, I'm always happy to return home to the CLE.

A company that shares that same sentiment is C.L.E. Clothing.  Known for creating kind of wacky Cleveland themed tees, their mission is to spread Cleveland pride one t-shirt at a time.

 

"Fra-gee-lay!"

(See me above, pictured in a C.L.E. Clothing Co. "leg lamp" t-shirt from last year's collection.)

The great folks at C.L.E. are holding their Holiday Launch Party this Saturday - December 4, 2010 at Native Cleveland, a store in the Waterloo arts district featuring products proudly created by Clevelanders. (if you're an artist/crafter/etc., check out the Native Cleveland site to learn more about how you can possibly get your wares displayed in the new store)  I know I can't wait to see what designs will be available this season.  Sadly, the leg lamp shirt was retired last year, so I can only wear it sparingly.  But since I own nearly every other C.L.E Clothing Co. shirt in existence, I know I'll find something to add to my list of gifts to buy for myself this holiday season!