Sunday, May 15, 2011
It's the perfect way to get a flair of the Far East without the jet lag
Summer is the season for festivals and fairs, and here is a new one to add to your list of favorites. The AsiaTown Festival was such a huge success last year, with more than 10,000 guests, that it's returning as an annual event on Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The festival features authentic Asian foods and merchandise, local and national performing artists, children’s activities, health screenings and games; the festival is a melting pot in action. A complete schedule and map for the free event is available at their website. The fact that Cleveland has its own AsiaTown may come as a surprise to many people. Originally named Chinatown, it all started in the 1950s when waves of Chinese immigrants settled …
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Remember how you fell asleep in history class? This is much more exciting that that was
It’s hard to imagine a war on our own soil, but almost 150 years ago this summer that’s exactly what was taking place. The tragic battles of The Civil War often had brother facing down brother, and if all you know about it is from Gone With The Wind, the Geauga County Historical Society is giving you a chance to learn more in an interesting, interactive way with its annual Civil War Re-enactment on May 28-29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Century Village in Burton. The event is just one in the line-up of activities to celebrate life in the Western Reserve from its earliest times as the Summer of History kicks off beginning May 10 and continuing through October 1. Twenty-four Northeast Ohio organizations including historical groups, museums, …
Saturday, April 30, 2011
If you haven’t been to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in a while, this is a prime time to get re-acquainted with another one of Cleveland’s greatest treasures and welcome back our giant, wrinkly friends
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is presenting a very special “trunk show” to kick off its summer with the grand opening of its new African Elephant Crossing on May 5. If you haven’t been to the zoo in awhile, this is a prime time to get re-acquainted with another one of Cleveland’s greatest treasures and welcome back our giant, wrinkly friends. During the past two years of construction, Cleveland’s three female elephants have been temporarily housed at the Columbus Zoo, and there are two new additions to the herd. The parade of pachyderms includes females Martika, Moshi, Jo, Shenga and Willy — a 13,000-pound bull elephant and the largest animal on exhibit at the zoo. There will also be meerkats, mole rats, and native birds sharing the five…
Saturday, April 23, 2011
See An Opera Or Ballet Live From Lincoln Center In New York City
No trip to the “Big Apple” would be complete without a tour of Lincoln Center, home of the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic and venue for many other prestigious performances. Even better would be box seats to a show, but time is short and airfare is exorbitant so chances for a getaway to NYC are probably unlikely. The Cedar Lee Theatre comes to the rescue bringing you live broadcasts via satellite of performances from Lincoln Center, Paris, London and beyond that you might never have an opportunity to enjoy. In addition to “The Met”, see the Bolshoi Ballet or the Royal Opera House of London from the comfort of a cozy theatre seat wearing your most faded jeans and munching on a bucket of buttery popcorn all the while. Don’t be …
Saturday, April 16, 2011
You don’t have to be Mr. Audubon or over 65 to enjoy bird watching, and there are a many nearby locations that are hot spots for sightings
Walk out your door one of these mornings and you may be blasted by the cacophony of chirping, pecking and twittering you hear. Yes! It’s that welcome time of year when the birds are back in town. Many of our colorful, feathered friends that have been vacationing in South and Central America over the winter are at the peak of their annual spring migration back North, which definitely means warm weather is very close. Northeast Ohio is home to one of the best selections of songbirds, including many different varieties of finches, sparrows, woodpeckers, grackles, nuthatches and many more. If you regularly hang a feeder, you will have probably noticed cardinals, blue jays and chickadees as well. You don’t have to be Mr. Audubon or over …
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Perfect for a ladies' day out or a memorable mother-daughter experience, Remember When will transport you to an era when tea was the drink of choice
Remember donning old party clothes and accessories from the “dress-up” box for a pretend tea party with your dolls and stuffed animals? Perhaps history is repeating itself with your own children today. You can bring those make-believe tea parties to life at Remember When Tea Room and Gift Shop in Kirtland, Ohio. Perfect for a ladies' day out or a memorable mother-daughter experience, Remember When will transport you to an era when tea was the drink of choice — although other hot and cold drinks are offered as well. Remember When, housed in a charming little cottage with hand-painted murals on the walls and ceilings, features more than 60 tea blends, which can be enjoyed with a unique luncheon menu that includes soups made from scratch…
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The CIFF has been bringing the newest and best films from around the world to Cleveland for 35 years
There is something slightly mischievous about sneaking out in the middle of a weekday to catch a movie. In the coming weeks, however, this will be relatively normal behavior to the thousands of people who will attend the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) from March 24 through April 3 at Tower City Cinemas in Downtown Cleveland. The CIFF has been bringing the newest and best films from around the world to Cleveland for 35 years now. It is a great opportunity to peek into other cultures and the subject matter that interests them, and find out how much we really have in common. Many of the foreign movies are subtitled, but if you’re not a fan of that kind of thing, there are plenty of English-speaking movies as well. The …
Saturday, March 19, 2011
At Cuyahoga Community College’s Massotherapy Clinic, located at Harvard and Richmond Roads on the Eastern Campus, you can get a 45-minute full-body general relaxation massage at a bargain price
Why is it that stress always seems to find its home in your neck and shoulders? All it takes is a day of back-to-back meetings compounded by driving the kids to their various activities in the middle of rush hour, and you can feel the tension in those muscles escalating. A great way to relieve the pain is a massage, but perhaps you think that’s too pampering or self-indulgent. Nonsense. It’s not. Especially when you are getting much-deserved relief and helping future physical therapists and massage therapists gain some practical experience. At Cuyahoga Community College’s Massotherapy Clinic, located at Harvard and Richmond Roads on the Eastern Campus, you can get a 45-minute full-body general relaxation massage for only $25 and $20…
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Check out Amazone in Medina for fun for the whole crew
It’s nice to have a break from kid duties occasionally, which is generally the purpose of the "Great Escape" column. This week’s getaway, however, is kid-friendly and a great way for both parents and children to enjoy some time off together. Kids of all ages from toddler to teen can find something fun to do at Amazone Family Entertainment Center in Medina, while parents can relax and keep watch in comfy sofas or at tables and chairs nearby. The three-story, Amazon jungle-themed play structure has tunnels, obstacle courses, swings and slides divided into two indoor playgrounds — one for toddlers and one for older children. In addition to crawling across swaying bridges and zip-lining over open waters to the safety of the giant tree house, …
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Head to the West Side Market to experience the smells and tastes of dozens of countries all in one day
Grocery shopping can be just another mundane chore in your weekly routine. It’s usually the “same old-same old” week after week plus the constant dilemma of what to make for dinner each night. Ugh, right? Why not add a little culture and adventure to buying your basics at one of Cleveland’s most delicious landmarks? The West Side Market is a Mecca of international smells, tastes and sounds that will make you feel like you’ve visited a dozen different countries all in one day. Start your visit with the original open-air marketplace, which is how West Side Market began in 1840. This is where you will find your fresh produce and fruit with displays worthy of an art gallery. Vendors will be calling you from all sides to sample their colorful …
Don Lannoch
11:55 am on Sunday, April 24, 2011
We should remember to thank all of the Solon citzens without whose hoeroic efforts in the 80's and 90's there would be no heronry today. more ›