Hey. I like to drink just as much as the next guy, and I've got the elevated hepatic enzymes to prove it. ((note: never go to the doctor on your 40th birthday "just to get checked out" .....only ill can come of it ))

Anyhow. I see these IAH and EWR folk having a ball and thought maybe it would be fun on the North Coast as well.

There's a new place that just opened up on the near West side called Stone Mad.

http://timferris.blogspot.com/2008/0...ed-monday.html

A great place for a couple pints near the Lake.

http://www.tagzania.com/item/50327

Any interest?

There have been a couple of CLE mini DO's. On a weekend with surprise tours of CLE operations on Sat. and group dinner at the restaurant overlooking the airport. I do not think CLE folks have had a go out for drinks on a Wed.

is the bomber squadron or whatever its called still open? i haven't been there in years--since you used to be able to listen to ATC

The best mini-DOs have been at CLE cuz I've been to one . You can always begin organizing one yourself and maybe coordinate with MBM3 who has taken the lead to organize the past CLE DOs.

Second kingalien.

Talk to MBM3, King of Clevelands

He knows all the good restaurants!

And unless I missed it, the CO Forum didn't wish said restaurant king a happy 40th!

Yes it is. In fact we had dinner there during the mini DO that I attended. Good food and a good time.

There have been two CLE Do's. The Statuesque Mrs. RNE and I enjoyed them greatly and we laud MBM3 for his organizational efforts thereto. Those Do's were airport-focused more so than city-focused, which made sense--though, there were certainly side trips to city sights (e.g. Rock n Roll Hall of Fame). We have discussed having another Do, and I'm sure we will--though everyone agrees we need to alter the venue this time for the sake of variety. I'm not personally knocking the places you suggest. We'd go. (You Buckeyes who diss me will see I'm not so bad. ^) But we may be the exception.

Most CLE flyers don't live near or want to go anywhere near CLE on a weeknight--even if they work downtown! In contrast to CLE, cities like IAH and NYC are "functioning." They are places people want to live in/near and visit for reasons other than work. CLE is a shrinking, dysfunctional shadow of its former self. It's not a place the population of Northeast Ohio wants to go. (That's MHO, YMMV.)

Lest you think I am being too hard on CLE, consider EWR. It benefits from nearby NYC. EWR itself is worse than CLE in many ways. How many people want to live in the city of Newark NJ? And how many EWR Do's are held there (rather than NYC)?

So, count us in (depending on the date chosen), but my advice is to consider a less-Cleveland location for any CLE Do. More people will show. Just a wild suggestion, but how about a winery? Lake Erie ensures Ohio has some of the best but least appreciated domestic wines. Such a venue may draw folks from the other hubs! Those New Yorkers can take a break from their French wines and, shucks, Texans will come because they're curious about what wine is!

Agree with the statement above, I assume that today most local FTers live out in the burbs somewhere as opposed to downtown which probably wasn't as true 20 years ago.
EWR has NYC, as an alternative venue to CLE, I offer up YNG.

Cleveland's problems are not just Cleveland's anymore. Many of the suburbs in Cuyahoga County are facing the same issues.

From Cleveland's own planning commission [emphasis added]:
My point is not to knock Cleveland (its own population has done that already by spending the last half a century moving out, farther and farther away), I'm merely pointing out where the CLE flyers live and suggesting that a place nearer them (rather than in the City) might make a better meeting place.

I am in no way wedded to my suggestion.

Pondering a bit on "not to far from the airport" locations now.
The 100th Bomb Group Restaurant has from what I have heard, fallen pretty low down the quality ladder, but I personally have never been.

I'll keep thinking on it. Ideas Welcomed!!

While I'm sure you are right about FT'ers living in the 'burbs, there is probably a nice split between west and east siders, thereby making downtown CLE a nice middle point.

As far as downtown CLE not being a place you'd ever want to be on a weeknight-have you really never been downtown when one of our beloved sports teams are playing???

Yes, I did join the 40 club yesterday and enjoyed an amazing dinner at Fahrenheit.

I am mulling over another event later this summer and agree that Stone Mad is an amazing place to tip a pint.

Ooh Fahrenheit! Always a winner ....the place of the first date with dergon_gf /and/ where dergon also celebrated his 40th!!

I'll defer to your judgemnt MBM3, seems like you;ve got your finger on the pulse of Cleveland ((thready as it may be))

Downtown can be a ball during the week assuming the Cavs/Tribe are in town. Having the DO on the weekend just opens up the possibilities for more folks to attend. Cleveland Pint Tipping DO I maybe?