If you're a fan of McDonald's Big Mac sandwiches, saw those sandwich boxes. On September 1 and September 15, you can trade them in for an upper deck ticket when you purchase one ticket to see the Cleveland Indians play at Progressive Field. Plus, the first 4000 fans into the ballpark on September 1 will receive a coupon for a free McDonald's Iced Coffee.

Gametime is 705pm on Monday against the Chicago White Sox and 705pm on September 15 against the Minnesota Twins.

The Indians have been quietly moving up the ranks after a horrible mid-season. The are currently riding a 10-game winning streak and are 16-3 in their last 19 games. All-Star pitcher Cliff Lee is starting on September 1. He is currently 19-2 for the year and looks to tie or surpass Gaylord Perry's 1974 record of 20 wins in one season. It might just happen on Monday.

Trade your Big Mac boxes in at the Progressive Field ticket office.

Citizens of Northeast Ohio are invited to celebrate the life of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones at the following services and events:

Friday, August 29
Viewing at Bethany Baptist Church, 1211 E. 105th St., Cleveland
6pm - 8pm
Guests are asked to move through the sanctuary in an expeditious manner. No loitering will be permitted. Parking will be available at neighboring churches and on the side streets, but not on E 105th St.

Saturday, August 30
Viewing at Public Hall, Cleveland Convention Center, 500 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland
8am - 1030am
Free parking is available at the Williard and Huntington Parking garages off of Lakeside Ave. Guests will enter through the main doors and there will be a security check.

A memorial service will follow the public viewing. The event will be broadcast live on Channel 5. Scheduled to give tributes are Governor Ted Strickland, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, former Congressman Louis Stokes, and Senators Hillary Clinton, Sherrod Brown, and Barack Obama.

^{(US Government Photo)}

It may be over two months until Halloween, but it's time to make plans for Cedar Point's Halloweekends. The park is transforming itself into a haunted wonderland every weekend from September 12 until November 2. Beginning September 12, the park will be open each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for "Halloweekends." Attractions range from the tame to the truly terrifying.

New this year are two themed walk-through attractions: Terror Island, which is inhabited by pirates and mermaids, and CornStalkers, which is a cornfield guarded by mysterious scarecrows. Guests will also find two new dining options: The Mid-Evil Market and Alien Cafe. Returning this year is the Monster Midway Invasion Celebration, which takes place at 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Cedar Point is open Fridays from 6pm until midnight, Saturdays from Noon until midnight, and on Sundays from 11am until 8pm. Adult admission is $25.95 on Fridays and $43.99 on Saturdays and Sundays. Senior (over 62) and Junior (under 48") admission is $19.99.

^{(logo courtesy of CedarFair)}

According the the US Census Bureau survery, published August 26 (2008), Cleveland has moved up to #2 (from #4) in the list of the poorest big cities in the United States. Only Detroit fared worst that Cleveland.

The US Census Bureau defines the "poverty level" as a $21,203 annual income for a family of four or $10,590 for an individual. The survey estimates that 12.5% or 37.3 million Americans are living in poverty. Although the number of Americans living in poverty increased slightly, the number of Americans without health insurance decreased slightly, to 15.3%. You can read the entire report here.

Clevelanders with a few extra dollars or a few extra hours can make a difference by volunteering at a local food pantry, planting an extra row of fall produce to share with one of these kitchens, or donating to Cleveland Food Bank or the wide number of faith-based hunger programs in the area.