Japanese artist Itchiku Kubota’s colorful exhibit of painted kimonos is on the last leg of its US tour, opening today in Canton, Ohio. 

Each of these beautiful over-sized kimonos took nearly a year to create, and the 40 in the exhibit make up a life’s work.  Kubota died in 2003, and his family now carries on the kimono artistry.

Kimono: The 20th Century Masterworks of Itchiku Kubota is on display at the Canton Museum of Art (located in the Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Avenue North), and will run February 8th – April 26th.  This is the last stop on its US tour.

Viewing hours are Monday, Friday & Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm; Tuesday – Thursday 10 am – 9 pm, and Sunday noon – 5 pm.

Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (60+) and Students (ages 13 through college, with ID), and children 12 and under are FREE.  Parking is available onsite.

I had no idea how intricate kimonos could be, and what a work of art Kubota has made of them.

Along with the exhibit, Canton is staging a kimono fest, with special events to celebrate the art of kimono.  Other evens include Japanese tea ceremonies, Sumi-e (painting) and Shodo (calligraphy) demonstrations, Jujitsu and Samurai demonstrations, and a kite festival.

Image credit:  Courtesy of Itchiku Kubota Art Museum

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This limited production brew is only available from November through December, and in past years (2007, 2006, and 2005) has won several Gold Medals from the World Beer Championships.  I didn’t even know there was such a thing!

Christmas Ale is robust ale brewed with honey and spiced with fresh ginger and cinnamon, and is supposed to be THE definitive beer choice to pair with fruit cakes and other holiday breads!  Don’t you just love discovering new beer and food pairings?!

Great Lakes Brewing Company is an environmentally and socially conscious brewery, with a Brewpub located at 2516 Market Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio.  The site is a merger of two historic buildings, including the former Market Tavern, a spot claimed to be popular during prohibition.  The pub retains much of the charm and decor from that 1930’s era, including some bullet holes that legend claims came from Eliot Ness.

Stop by for a little Christmas Ale, and get a history lesson to go with it!

Image credit:  Great Lakes Brewing Company

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The Harding Home, located at 3890 Mt Vernon Avenue in Marion, Ohio, has been restored to its original Victorian splendor, and now serves as a historial site dedicated to Harding’s life and Presidency.  Nearly all the furnishings in the home were pieces originally owned by President and Mrs. Harding, making a tour of the home a historical treat.

Next to the home itself is a separate press house (used during the presidential campaign) that now serves as a museum.

The President Harding Home and Museum is open Thursday – Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (Thursday – Saturday, 9:30 am – 5 pm, Sunday noon – 5 pm).  During April, May, September and October it is open weekends only.  The museum is closed during the winter.

Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children 6-12, FREE for children 5 and under.  AAA, Senior and Military discounts available.

A visit will appeal to fans of presidential history, loves of Victorian architecture and furnishings, and political enthusiasts.  For a home tour, along with some time at the museum, allow about 1 1/2 -2 hours.

Photo Credit: wikimedia

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We saw her beauty and glamour in countless photographs.  We saw her compassion and grace as she traveled the world for causes that she believed in.  We saw her poise and pain as she struggled through a very public breakup and divorce.  And, we saw her commitment and love as she raised two young sons. 

Visitors to Cleveland, however, will have an opportunity to get a little closer glimpse into the life of this beautiful woman who became a Princess, as the Western Reserve Historical Society presents “Diana, A Celebration.”  This exhibition, which chronicles the life of Diana, returns to the U.S. for an encore run starting February 23rd, 2007 and running through June 10th, 2007.  This will be the last time the exhibit can be viewed in the US.

The 10,000 square foot exhibit features 150 objects in nine galleries:  Tiara, The Spencer Women, Childhood, Engagement, Royal Wedding, Charity, Tribute, Style, and Condolence.  The artifacts on display are on loan from the Spencer family, and includes Diana’s wedding gown, including the diamond tiara, veil, and 25 foot train, a selection of clothing, tiaras, jewels, photos, home videos and personal mementos. 

Her brother, Charles, the Ninth Earl Spencer says:  “My family hopes that the people of Cleveland and other visitors will walk away from the exhibition with fond memories of Diana — such as her charitable legacy, boundless spirit and energy along with her endless devotion to others, especially her children.”

Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $10 for children (6-12), and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.  Fifty cents from each ticket sold will benefit Shoes and Clothes for Kids, a Cleveland-based charity.  An audio tour of the exhibition will also be available for an additional fee.

The Western Reserve Historical Society is located at 10825 East Boulevard in Cleveland.  Exhibit Hours are daily 9 am ““ 5 pm, with extended hours until 8 pm on Wednesdays.

Photo credit:  flickr

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The date of admission was actually determined retroactively, because no formal date of statehood was set by the original legislation.  It wasn’t until 1953 that the date of admission was set as March 1st, 1803, the date that Ohio’s first legislature convened.  (Photo above of Ohio Statehouse)

Back in 1835, Ohio fought a war with Michigan, known as the Toledo War.  Somehow, my US History class missed this important battle, but as a result of it, Michigan got the western part of its Upper Peninsula as part of its state boundaries, and Ohio got the Toledo Strip. 

Located in the Midwestern United States, and part of the Great Lakes region, Ohio is a heavily populated state (ranked 7th in population).  Its largest city is its capital, Columbus.  The largest metropolitan area is Cleveland.  Other major cities include:  Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown.  These cities are home to many popular tourist attraction, including the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton (see photo above).

Ohio’s geographic location, well-developed highway system, and proximity to numerous seaports, has made it a hub for cargo and business traffic.  In fact, 50% of the North American population is within a one-day drive of Ohio.

Ohio is frequently called the “Mother of Presidents,” with seven U.S. presidents having been born there.  Only Virginia has more, boasting eight.

Hitting on a theme a little closer to my heart, Ohio is the birthplace of the airplane, a result of numerous experiments by Orville and Wilbur Wright.   A large experimental and design facility is still located near Dayton, and the entire state still has many ties to the aviation industry, both civil and military.

I spent ten days in Ohio a few years back.  I was traveling with a good friend, and we spent the time driving around, visiting many of the small cities and communities.  It was my first trip to Ohio (other than making a flight connection ““ which doesn’t count).  Little did I realize that a visit to Ohio actually meant a visit to three additional states — the Cincinnati metropolitan area extends into Kentucky and Indiana (this counted as my first visit to both of those states), and the Youngstown metropolitan area extends into Pennsylvania.

Photo credit:  Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism, www.DiscoverOhio.com.
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