About.com

Mardi Gras on the North Coast

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:01:57 +0000

Mardi Gras is tomorrow, February 21, and restaurants and clubs all over the city are gearing up for a celebration. Unfortunately, Fat Fish Blue is no longer with us, but that doesn't mean the party is over. You can find Mardi Gras parties this year at Paladar on Chagrin Boulevard as well as Salmon Daves and Around the Corner in Lakewood.

Read all about these and other Mardi Gras parties in "Top Picks for Mardi Gras Parties".

Laissez les bons temps roulez!

^{(Photo © Adobe printshop; used with permission)}

...

Read Full Post

The Paczki are Here!

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:01:42 +0000

A sure sign of Spring in any Polish community is the arrival of the paczki (pronounced "punch-key"). These jelly-filled, deep-fried pastries, dusted with powdered sugar (something like American jelly doughnuts), are traditionally served the Thursday before Ash Wednesday. In America, the delicious pastries start appearing in bakeries and neighborhood food stores about a month in advance.

...

Read Full Post

Langston Hughes

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:01:09 +0000

February is Black History month and it's fitting to spend this month looking at some of Cleveland's African-American favorite sons. Among the most prolific is writer, poet, and playwright ...

Read Full Post

Ohio Presidents

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:22:45 +0000

The United States has had fewer than 50 presidents in her 200+ years, but eight of them have come from Ohio. Called the "Cradle of Presidents," Ohio has produced a collection of leaders, from Harrison to Harding (including NE Ohio native, James Garfield, pictured at left). Learn more about Ohio Presidents and their contributions in our photo gallery with brief biographies of each man.

^{(Library of Congress photo)}

...

Read Full Post

Orchid Mania 2012 at Cleveland Botanical Garden

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:01:28 +0000

Each February, hundreds of orchids invade Cleveland Botanical Garden, in Cleveland's University Circle cultural district. The month-long show features all shapes, sizes, and colors of these exotic plants--the perfect balm for a blustery winter's day. This year, the exhibit begins on February 11 and lasts through March 25.

Orchid Mania is free with admission to Cleveland Botanical Garden, which is $9.50 for adults and $3 for children 3-12. Children under 3 are admitted free.

Cleveland Botanical Garden is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, on Sundays from noon to 5pm.

^{(photo credit: © Stu Spivack/cc license)}

...

Read Full Post

Groundhog Day

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:01:50 +0000

Will "Buckeye Chuck" see his shadow, indicating only six more weeks of winter, or will his shadow elude him, indicating a swift end to winter? Groundhog Day, February 2nd, is observed in the United States, Canada, and parts of Australia. The date marks the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox and traces its origins from the French festival of Candlemas.

For more about Groundhog Day, see:

^{(Photo of "Buckeye Chuck" courtesy of the Ohio Division of Wildlife)}

What is the Western Reserve?

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:01:13 +0000

It's a phrase you hear often around Northeast Ohio, but what exactly is the "Western Reserve"?

Long before Ohio became a state in 1804, the northeast corner of the state belonged to the state of Connecticut. They called this territory their "Western Reserve" and the name as well as New England architecture, town squares, and customs can still be found throughout the area.

Read more about this unique Northeast Ohio moniker.

^{(Map of the Western Reserve © Kmusser/cc license)}

...

Read Full Post

Ohio Facts

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:01:50 +0000

Did you know that the Ohio state wildflower is the trillium (pictured at right)? Or that the state bird is the Cardinal? Do you know the names of Ohio's two senators... or the state's population? Find out these and other Ohio facts.

^{(Photo courtesy of the ODNR)}

...

Read Full Post

Take Advantage of Free Museum Admissions on MLK Day

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:01:28 +0000

A number of Cleveland area museums are offering free admission Monday, January 16, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Among these are:

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 10am to 530pm
Cleveland Museum of Natural History - 10am to 430pm
Cleveland Museum of Art - 930am - 530pm
Great Lakes Science Center - 1pm - 4pm
Cleveland Botanical Garden - 1pm - 4pm
Western Reserve Historical Society - 10am - 4pm
Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage - 11am - 5pm

^{(Library of Congress photo)}

What is Lake Effect Snow?

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:01:12 +0000

It's that time of year when we hear the phrase "Lake Effect" bantered by the local weather pundits. But what does it really mean? Just what is "Lake Effect"? In short, it's when cold air passes over warm water, bringing the moisture when it when it makes landfall.

Although best known around the Great Lakes, the phenomenon also occurs on Utah's Great Salt Lake and even on lakes in Scandinavia. Read more about Lake Effect Snow.

For tips on staying safe in winter, see: