Would you like to get out for a relaxing evening with a friend and learn about a fun, creative and culturally fascinating practice? The Independence Art Guild is hosting a program on April 12 called The Timeless Art of Henna Painting. The event will be held at the Liberty Station Building in Independence from 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.The program is being presented by Kristina Haberek. She is a Cleveland-area artist, who has been practicing henna art for 13 years, and participants will learn about the history of henna art, as well as its cultural significance and have a chance to have a small…

This Saturday is the start of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's 2011 Bike Aboard! program. According to their website, Bike Aboard! allows you to bike the towpath trail as far as you like, then enjoy a relaxing one-way train ride on the scenic railroad back to the Brecksville Station (or any station along the route) for just $2. If you bike from the Brecksville Station, you could go as little as 4.25 miles to the Boston Mill station or more than 24 miles to the Akron Northside station.  When I have participated, there has been a separate train car for bicycles, and CVSR employees loaded …

Would you like to get out this weekend and attend one of Cleveland’s major cultural events? Then you're in luck. This will be the 35 year for the Cleveland International Film Festival and the kickoff is this Thursday.  You can pick up a program guide for the festival at the Brecksville branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. The guide gives information about each of the films, lists various activities that are part of the festival and provides information on purchasing tickets and ticket prices. You can also consult the Film Festival website for details, as well. According to the …

Spring will be here on Sunday! If you look closely, you might see the first wildflowers beginning to bloom this month and hear the first of the springtime frogs.  Spring also means that it’s time to blow the cobwebs off your walking shoes and get out for a hike or a walk with a friend. Here are some ideas for great places to walk in Brecksville. If you have any favorite walking spots in and around town, please add them in the comments. The Brecksville Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks has many trails, and maps are available at the Brecksville Nature Center. Here are a few trails in the …

Get ready to hit the art scene in Cleveland. The Tremont ArtWalk is starting at 6 p.m. this Friday.  The ArtWalk has been going on in Tremont for more than 15 years, and it takes place on the second Friday of every month. Artwork by local artists is featured in about 30 different venues, from restaurants and bars to galleries, stores and boutiques. A map is available on the ArtWalk website. One of the great things about the ArtWalk is that it’s casual and accessible. You don’t have to be “artsy” to participate. You can just grab a friend, lace up your shoes and walk from location to location…

Is your cabin fever out of control? Would you like to immerse yourself in tropical warmth? If so, you don't even have to buy an airline ticket: just take a short drive to the Cleveland Botanical Garden.  Orchid Mania is the Cleveland Botanical Garden's annual orchid show, and this is its eighth year. The theme this year is “Purple Reign," an homage to this royal color commonly seen in the orchid world.  In addition to the flowers, there are lots of other orchid-related events and workshops, including photography and art displays. You can also buy orchids directly from growers on March 5 and 6…

When my older son was a baby, I took my first painting class. Getting out of the house for a few hours to explore my creative side helped renew my energy. It made me a better mom and wife and a happier person. It also gave me something to think about on all those sleepless nights, while rocking a crying baby. The Brecksville Center for the Arts has some upcoming beginners acrylic painting classes. The classes will be held on Thursdays, March 3 through 24. There are two sessions to choose from; the morning session will be held from 10 a.m. until noon, and the evening session will be from 7 to …

My Saturday nights pretty much consist of getting my boys to bed, then collapsing in exhaustion in front of the tube here in suburbia. While exploring ideas for things to do, I discovered that Brecksville has a night life that I never knew about. Don’t let the storefront facade fool you: the Peppermill Pub and Grill is a classy and cool place with a laid-back attitude. It is also one of the only places in Brecksville to see live rock music on a regular basis.   They have a “Saturday Nights Live” program, featuring a live band every Saturday night from 9 p.m. until midnight. They feature local…

Call the babysitter and take someone special for a romantic ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. this Friday, Feb. 11.  The train boards at the Brecksville Station. This is their Valentine's Day Moonlight Express tour called "That's Amor!" and it is part of a series of "Grape Escape" wine-tasting excursions. These popular tours are held about once a month. Gloria Bonamer, who works in customer service for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, said that the wine-tasting will consist of five wines from South America. Each wine will be paired with an appetizer …

Your teens have a meeting at the high school Saturday. Your parents offered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday. Your preteens take tap on Wednesdays. Whenever it is, when the kids are out of the house, it’s your time: take it.  Each week, Brecksville Patch will bring you a Great Escape pick in the area: one great idea per week to give you a much-deserved break.  This week, our suggestion is 2182 Brecksville, a chic yet cozy place to escape for an evening out with your better half or your best friend, without the kids. They are having a wine tasting at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 where all…