It’s hard enough to shop for yourself let alone someone else so; give yourself plenty of time. Don’t rush it. It seems as though most folks want to get their shopping done in one day and expect to find the perfect gifts. Give yourself plenty of time and plan. It seems juvenile but, ask yourself the five W’s and make a list to get started.

Who are you buying for?

What do they like? What are their interests?

Why would it be appropriate for you to get this for them?

Where can you purchase these gifts?

When will you give them these gifts? (keep in mind you may not do your entire gift giving Christmas morning)

The next couple of weeks I will share with you my shopping plans. I am currently shopping for my mother. I thought to myself, why not get her something that I know she won’t get herself.  Right now she is very health conscious & she’s been working hard to lose weight. I’m going to sign her up for a membership at Urban Active. They have great workout groups like Zumba & Yoga, which I know she’ll love. I’m going to stop-in Urban Active and register my mom for a membership to start in January. I will be giving her this awesome gift Christmas morning so a membership in January is perfect.

I’m going to add a few items to her membership to get her started & excited to workout! Here’s what I found:

Victoria's Secret Water Bottle $12 (pink to match the tote below)

Victoria's Secret Tote $19.50

LOFT Yoga Pants $29.99 (Black)

Dick's Sporting Goods - Reebok Women's Athletic Tee $8.99 (Pink)

It’s not necessary, but I think cards are a nice touch to add to your thoughtful gifts. Francesca’s Collections has a rack full of cute & clever cards (see below) In the card to my mother, I am will enclose her Urban Active pass with a little note. Next, I will wrap up the water bottle, pants, t-shirt and put them in the pink tote with some pink & white tissue paper and tie a big bow on the handles. No need to wrap up the bag, it’s too cute.

Francesca's Collections - Card $2.95

The next person on my list is my big sister. She likes simple things (sometimes a little sparkle) She recently went back to school so I’m thinking come January she’s going to need some cute coldweather gear to keep her warm on campus. Also, last time we went shopping she mentioned hoops earrings are all-over style magazines so I’ll add those in too.

Always look for sale or special discounts (30% off coldweather accessories- Perfect)

Francesca's Collections Showstopper Scarf in Ivory $19.60

Francesca's Collections Showstopper Gloves in Ivory $11.20

Charming Charlie Sparkly Hoop Earrings $5.97

Presentation of your gift is important. I’m going to wrap the items above in a bag with snowflakes on it and little sparkle with a white & silver bow on the top. Then, I’ll tie the keychain pictured below through the bow. All done.

Francesca's Collections Keychain

Stay tuned for more gifts – hopefully this gives you some ideas! I will be posting more gifts for my little sister, my dad, nephews & niece, my brothers and their wives, my boyfriend & his family…lots of shopping to do!

- Sarabeth

·   Offering 40+ wines by the glass, extensive martini lists, and creative small plate selections as well | Monday – Friday 4:30pm – 6:30pm
·   Home of the $4 – $6 Martini & Cocktail Happy Hour and $5 Small Plates

Late Night Happy Hour
·   $5 Small Plates 9pm-Close
·     Available in the bar area only.

Vieng’s Asian Bistro
Happy Hour

·   Monday-Thursday 4-7pm
·   Friday & Saturday 2-6pm
·    $2 off draft beer, mixed drinks and wine
·    $1 off bottled beer

Blake’s Seafood Restaurant & Bar
Happy Hour
·    $1.95 half-pound cheddar burger with fries and shrimp gazpacho
·    $1.95 barbecue chicken pizza
·    $3.95 ahi tuna bites
·    $3.95 Thai shrimp
·    Cocktails $2 off and beers discounted by $1

Champps Americana
Happy Hour

·   Monday-Friday 3:30-6:30
·   $3.50 well drinks and $5 wine
·   Select draft beer discounts.

Weekly Specials
·   $5.99 Burgers All Day Monday
·   $9.99 Fajita Wednesdays
·   Pint Night Every Thursday all pints of beer are $2.50 from 11am-9pm

Brio Tuscan Grille
·    Thursdays $2 off martinis
·    $2.95 Tuscan Tasters Bar Menu | Available weekdays in the bar only | Everyday 3pm-7pm and 9pm-close
o   Brio Burger
o   Ravioli Caprese
o   Beef Carpaccio
o   Spicy Shrimp & Eggplant
o   Margherita Flatbread
o   Sausage & Pepperoni Flatbread
o   Shrimptini
o   Roasted Red Pepper & Fresh Mozzarella Bruschetta
o   Sliced Steak Bruschetta

Max & Erma’s
Happy Hour

$5 Munchies | 4pm-7pm bar & patio only
·   6-piece wings
·   Erma Size Nachos Grande
·   Black Bean Roll Ups
·   Horseradish Burger Sliders
·   Erma Size Soft Pretzel Sticks

$3 Drinks
·   Margaritas
·   Mojitos
·   Well Drinks
·   Select 23 oz. Domestic Drafts
·   Erma’s House Wine
87 West
$4 Happy Hour
Monday – Friday 4-7pm | Saturday 12-4pm, All Day Sunday

Daily Specials at 87 West

Monday Ladies Night
·   $6 Specialty martinis and $4 house wines for ladies 7-close

Tuesday S.I.N Night
·  15% off your check for anyone in the “biz”

Wednesday Date Night
·   A bottle of our seasonal selection house wines & a cheese or chocolate fondue for only $25

Saturday/Sunday Brunch – 11am/12pm – 3 pm
·   Bloody Mary bar with all the favorites and mimosas to go along with our special brunch menu

Monday – Wednesday
·   Residents living and employees working in Crocker Park receive 15% off their checks all day

Check out the North Union Farmers Market website for a seasonal produce chart and more information!

After scouring the stores, a list has been compiled of some of the favorites from around the park.  Whether your looking for sporty, fashionable, or for the kids, theses are some great finds to choose from!

Make sure you check out Facebook for more pictures from the event!

There are a number of ways to spend your summer evenings but no matter what you’re looking for, at Crocker Park, it’s all happening here!

Looking for a place for a date? How about a family friendly event for the kids?  Maybe just a place to hang out with some friends?  Look no further!

First stop is Movies in the Park!  Fun and free for the whole family, there is no better way to spend your Thursday nights!  Watch some of your favorite characters and adventures under the stars in our west park while enjoying the beautiful summer weather!

Check out these films coming up in July!
July 07    Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
July 14    Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
July 21    Madagascar
July 29    The Twilight Saga: Eclipse                                                                                   They start at 9pm so come early, grab some dinner, and get a good seat!

If the movies don’t suit your fancy, bring a friend or a date, and enjoy a variety of musical talents at Music in the Park!  On Fridays in West Park at the Sunset Stage and Saturdays in East Park at the Vine Theater, you can hear everything from Motown to Rock to Jazz.

Here are just a few coming up in July!                                                                          Friday, July 1: Time Machine – From the 60s to Today’s Music                            Saturday, July 2: Sight n’ Sound – Cool Motown Sound                                    Saturday, July 9: Karma Kings- Your Favorite Classic Rock Tunes                        Friday, July 15: Maria Jacobs – Recording Artist, Hot Jazz and R&B                    Friday, July 22: Rock Radio – Retro Rock                                                                Friday, July 29: Jim Gill & Cathy Miller – Acoustic/Folk/Originals

Before any of these events, come early and join a number of our delicious restaurants for some of the best Happy Hours around!  Here are just a few highlights:

At Brio, enjoy the outdoor patio and these specials:                                                                 -  Every Thursday $5 martini night in the bar                                                                            -  Monday – Friday try the Tuscan Taster Bar Menu just $2.95! Available 3-7pm and 9pm-close                                                                                                                                           -  Wednesday take $2 off martinis!                                                                                         -  Plus, Saturday and Sunday brunch is available until 3pm!

Happy Hour at Blake’s Seafood is under $5!  Blake’s was voted best seafood & best outdoor dining so make sure you check out the open air bar and their $1.95 bar menu, $1 off draft beer & $2 off cocktails

Can’t make it Wednesday? Don’t worry! No matter the day of the week, 87 West Wine Bar has a LOT to offer!                                                                                                                     Monday through Friday take advantage of specials from 4-7pm! Look at these delicious deals!                                                                                                                                         Monday is Pizza & Pinot night! A glass of Pinot Noir and any flatbread for just $10                Tuesday get cosmos for $5 all night long                                                                              Wednesday offers cheese fondue and a bottle of 87 West’s seasonal selection for $25    And Thursday all house martinis and cosmos are $5                                                         The specials continue Saturday 12-4pm and Sunday is happy with $4 happy hour all day along!

If Monday and Thursday are your days than you want to join Champps Americana!             -  Monday is Burger Madness with all burgers just $5.99 all day!                                         -  Thursday is Pint Night with $2.50 domestics and $3.50 premiums!

As we said earlier, it really is all happening here!  Fun for the whole family, live music and good food, there really is no better way to spend a beautiful summer evening than at Crocker Park!  So come enjoy a movie or a tune, and maybe a martini, this week!  You’ll be happy you did!

For full Movies and Music in the Park schedules as well as a list of restaurants, check out our website! And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates, deals, and more!

Liberty Fest at Crocker Park is just around the corner!

We’re getting so excited for Morris Cadillac Buick GMC Liberty Fest and we hope you are too!!  Just one more week until the big event and things are busy, busy, busy!  The amount of activities and entertainment available for your enjoyment will make your heads spin so that you won’t know where to begin!  Let us tell you about some of them that you don’t want to miss!  Don’t worry – kids, parents, grandparents – we didn’t leave anyone out!

Starting Saturday, July 3rd:

Kids must visit the carnival rides provided by Bates Brothers Amusements that will be running in the grass pad behind Borders all weekend long!  The Ferris Wheel is one of our favorites!

Parents, if the carnival becomes too much, stop by the Main Street Beer Tent that has a wide selection of beers to choose from!  The tent benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society so you’ll be drinking for a good cause!

For the whole family’s enjoyment, we can not forget to mention all the musical performances going on throughout the day at the main stage including: Breakfast Club, and 80’s tribute band, Hard Day’s Night, a Beatles tribute band and of course the Cleveland Pops Orchestra!

And of course following all of this exciting patriotic fun, the sky will light up with one of the most spectacular fireworks displays you have ever seen!!

But this is only day one!

Come back on the 4th for our Classic Car Show, Mayor Clough, face-painting, balloon twisters, Magic Joe and more!

You just can’t go wrong with a 4th of July weekend spent at Morris Cadillac Buick GMC Liberty Fest held here at Crocker Park!  There is really no better way to spend your holiday with family and friends!  Mark your calendar today and we’ll see you next Sunday!

You can find a full schedule with times on our website and as usual, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates, contests and more!

Since Anthropologie’s first store opening in 1992 in Wayne, Pennsylvania, they have offered a one-of-a-kind and compelling shopping experience for women that makes them feel beautiful, hopeful and connected.  As a company, they have learned that their customers appreciate innovation, artfulness and good design and therefore have focused on carefully selecting and designing their products with an eye for craftsmanship, the small details, and that certain something special that makes each item you find more than a novelty but a personal discovery.  There is no doubt that when entering the store, each customer is met with a certain magical spark found only in the clothing and objects of Anthropologie.

The new Crocker Park store will be located at 215 Crocker Park Blvd, on the corner between J.Crew and American Eagle.  Make sure to stop in to witness the magic and novelty for yourself!

Have you ever wondered what’s in a name?  While we don’t have the answer for Anthropologie, in the case of B Spot, its all about the letter B: Burgers, Beers, Brats & more!  Winner of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival People’s Choice Best Burger Contest, B Spot offers custom patties topped with Michael Symon signature toppings.  Round off the menu with brats, classic sides, homemade milkshakes, more than 20 craft beers and a wine list, there is really no better place to go!

B Spot will be located at 20 Main Street between Champps Americana and Cold Stone Creamery.  Our mouths are watering just thinking about it!  We can’t wait until it opens!

Keep a look out in the coming weeks as these hot spots are opening sooner than you know!

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all updates and happenings here a Crocker Park!

Since Crocker Park’s opening in 2004, we have been privileged to host the North Union Farmers Market, a nonprofit organization that operates certified, producer-only farmers markets.  What does certified, producer-only mean you ask?  Let us tell you a little bit about it.

The North Union first opened in 1995 and has since functioned to offer Clevelanders and Northeast Ohioans access to healthy, fresh, local produce sold directly to them by farmers. Their mission is to promote the local foods of Northeast Ohio and their environmental, economic and health benefits by connecting certified producers with consumers through their network of markets.

The North Union fulfills this mission by operating several producer-only farmers markets each week, including Crocker Park on Saturdays.  Certified, producer-only, simply put, means that each vendor undergoes an onsite farm inspection and application process in order to receive a certification for participation.  Therefore, when you come to the North Union Farmers Market, you know you are getting a good product.

Located in the lot across from First Watch at Crocker Park, the farmers market operates every Saturday morning from 9am-1pm showcasing a variety of venders and educating the public on the benefits of eating locally grown food.  This year the market started April 16^th and will run until November 19^th.  The North Union Farmers Market is more than just a farmers market, it is a fun way to spend Saturday morning with family and friends and there is always a lot to see!

Crocker Park recently started the Mange Urban Gardening Program and built a special urban garden to be part of the farmers market!  The project incorporates a green roof, rainwater collection, and organic compost with product from the garden being donated to the Plant a Row project in conjunction with Master Gardeners.  Also beginning shortly, we will be highlighting a new farmer from the farmers market each week here on our blog, so stay tuned!  In the meantime check out our video from last weeks farmers market! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6a8mFXpWGE

As you can see, the North Union Farmers Market is a weekly event you do not want to miss!  So come check it out this Saturday, June 18^th for our Strawberry Festival that will include games for children, live music and an abundance of big, beautiful, fresh farm strawberries! Yum!

Go to the North Union Farmers Market website for more information including a seasons chart, recipes and 10 Reasons to Eat Local! http://www.northunionfarmersmarket.org/

You can also follow Crocker Park on Facebook and Twitter for updates!