There’s so much to love about it—the architecture, the culture, the people, the haggling, the produce, the meats, the pierogies. And the little old elderly Eastern European women pushing their little shopping carts around are my favorite. (Maybe because they remind me of my own Bohemian grandma!)

So I’ve loved to be able to introduce the West Side Market to each of my boys. It comes a little closer to answering the “where does food come from?” answer than the enormous big box grocery stores that most suburban kids experience. And really, how many times do your kids bug you to go to the grocery store? My kids bug me to go to the West Side Market. Now, I’ll admit, part of that is seeing the bizarre foods like the completely skinned pig, the chicken feet, the beef tongue, the pig knuckles. Oh, and probably part is due to the fact that they know I’m a sucker for getting a big, chocolate-y treat there at one of the bakeries in the main building.

Matthew always insists on walking past the fish counter that’s snuggled into the far northeast corner of the main building, and tells me over and over—both before and after we walk by—that the fish there “really stink.”

Today’s trip was a bountiful one—blackberries, pierogies (including my favorite, chicken bacon ranch—they are awesome!), ravioli, apples, salsa, pork chops, and, uh, a slice of chocolate cheesecake. Yes, Josh talked me into that one. Big shocker. I would have bought even more, but the Market is not air conditioned, and we were nearing our melting point.

We actually went downtown first, for a chance to visit the recently renovated Terminal Tower observation deck on the 42nd floor. The observation deck, closed after 9/11, is only open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. for four weeks this summer. (The last day is August 1st.)

But the line was insanely long—maybe due, in part, to the extensive coverage that the Plain Dealer has been giving the observation deck’s reopening. The line snaked all around the entrance to Tower City and the security guard told me it was at least a 90-minute wait, if not 2 hours. I knew my boys would not stand for that, especially as the temperature in the lobby was a lot closer to the 95 degrees outside than 72-degree air conditioned comfort.

Instead, we visited the Tower City fountains under the big atrium. Now, I know that Tower City has had issues for years, struggling to keep retail space filled. But it was still sad to see that the fountains seemed in a bit of disrepair. I got to thinking how the space reopened as an urban mall, back in about 1991. At that time, the fountains, especially the main one, were a showpiece and seemed like something that was first class—a real “wow” thing to see in downtown. While my boys were still amused by watching them, I hope that maybe with the new connected casino development to be built in the coming years, some money can be invested in doing something new and exciting with the fountain space. 20 years is a long time, maybe it’s time to try something new. (I vote for new fountains, just more impressive ones!)

July 17: ZooBlooms at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
July 17: 2nd Annual Joe Thomas Fishing Derby in Westlake
July 18: Family Fun Day at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park
July 23: Space Sleepover at the Great Lakes Science Center
July 24-25: Lake County Heritage Festival at the Lake County Historical Society
August 7: Cleveland Dragon Boat Festival in the Flats
August 9-15: Cuyahoga County Fair in Berea
August 12: Perseids Meteor Party 2010 at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center
August 13-15: The 36th annual Corn Fest in North Ridgeville
August 14: Creature Comforts at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
August 23-29: Lorain County Fair in Wellington
September 4-6: Cleveland National Air Show at Burke Lakefront Airport
September 11: Discover the Cosmos at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center
September 25: Teddy Bear Day at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
October 21-24 & 28-31: Boo at the Zoo at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

What events are you and your family most looking forward to this summer? Let us know!

I took my older son to Cedar Point this evening, for a few hours of dad & son time, and as luck would have it, that coincided with the ridiculous LeBron James media circus/announcement show on ESPN. So glad I didn’t stay home to watch that ego-driven nonsense. I’m a lifelong, passionate Cleveland sports fan, but I became disenchanted with this whole thing weeks ago.

What really gets under my skin is that—I’m told—all the cable networks were showing replays of The Drive, The Fumble, etc., as though sports and sports alone define this city. They do not.

And that’s why I’m asking you to join me in this grass-roots effort to show the world what’s special about Clevelanders and our community.

I’m mad about what happened. But I refuse to channel all my energy into negativity. (Oh sure, I plan on having a backyard bonfire for s’mores and burning my Witness shirt this Saturday, but, hey, give a guy one release.) So, I hatched a plan on the way home from Sandusky. Let’s turn this negative into a positive for Cleveland and the surrounding communities.

Starting Friday, we have 23 calendar days in July. As we all get #23 out of our systems, let’s each pledge to do something for Northeast Ohio in those 23 days. I started tonight by giving $23 to the American Red Cross of Greater Cleveland. And I plan to take part of a day to volunteer, maybe at the Bishop Cosgrove Center downtown.

Will you join me in this movement? Please consider giving $23 or whatever you can to a worthy charity. Maybe Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland. Or the United Way. Or Our Lady of the Wayside. Or Hospice of the Western Reserve.

Or volunteer your time to help our community. Maybe you’re more apt to volunteer to educate kids or pick up trash at the Cleveland Metroparks (they have a charitable arm, too, if you’d rather give cash). Or give some canned food (23 cans sounds like a nice, round number) to the wonderful, deserving Cleveland Food Bank.

What LeBron did was completely without class. I, for one, will do my part to show him that this community deserves better than what his values show. Please consider donating or volunteering in support of the “Cross out 23″ movement—and in support of your town. Whatever you choose to do, please leave a comment, to help inspire others. And if you have other volunteer opportunities or charitable suggestions, those are welcome, too.

Go Cleveland!