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Carrey’s Scrooge opens holiday films
WEEKENDER COVER STORY FOR NOV. 6, 2009: Hollywood loves money. So does Ebenezer Scrooge. So what better way to launch the holiday season than putting the old money-grubber at the head of the line to separate movie-goers from their cash?
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A great villain in ‘Lakeview Terrace’
VIDEO VIPER for Aug. 28, 2009: “Lakeview Terrace” would be just another run-of-the-mill suspense, stalker film if it wasn't for the talents of Samuel L. Jackson.
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'Disney's Beauty and the Beast' opens
That final show will open for a three-weekend run today, bringing all of the romance and magic of the classic Disney film to the stage with the heartwarming musical “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.”
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Steel event keeps old-time country music alive
WEEKENDER for July 10, 2009: Steel guitar players of both regional and national prominence will gather in Saybrook Township July 19 for an afternoon of jamming and performance.
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New Tricks will appear as part of jazz quartet
WEEKENDER for July 10, 2009: The St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Fine Arts Committee is presenting New Tricks, a jazz quartet, as a fundraiser to support its regular Great Music without Barriers concert series
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CALENDAR
WEEKENDER for May 8, 2009
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CALENDAR
WEEKENDER for Jan. 23, 2009
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July 27 WeekENDER Calendar
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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Tallman a scary villain in 'Hitch-Hiker'
Some of the best film dramas are those with the best, most daunting foes.
James Bond films sink or swim by what nemesis the famous spy is battling.
Remember Robert Mitchum as Max Cady in the original "Cape Fear"" Talk about full-body shivers.
Another eeri ...
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Arts center has big story next week
ASHTABULA - - A whale of a story.
"Moby Dick! The Musical" is not the typical tale of the whale. "Moby Dick" is the story of a group of creatively inspired students who take matters into their own hands to save their financially destitute school.
With no ...
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'Side Show' really the main attraction
ASHTABULA - - Taking a page from real life carnival side show freak shows, the ongoing Straw Hat Theatre production of "Side Show," in it's final weekend, promises a plot full of surprising twists and turns.
The cast, most notably real ...
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July 27 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Opening Weekend, Sat. & Sun., Located at the Jefferson Depot. 440-576-6346 or www.familytrainrides.com or www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., ...
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Arts center serves up more artists for lunch
ASHTABULA - - The Ashtabula Arts Center's Brown Bag Concert Series will continue today and Thursday.
Held at the North Park Gazebo in Ashtabula each Wednesday and the Village Park in Jefferson on Thursdays, Brown Bag concerts are held at noon and feature a ...
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'Interview' OK if you can suspend belief
If you can suspend all disbelief - - if you can accept the idea that a glamorous starlet would invite a pompous reporter into her home, get drunk with him, do coke in front of him and eventually make out with him - - then may ...
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'Little Women' breaks out in song
MADISON - - For six generations ,readers have been enchanted by the touching adventures of Joe, Meg, Beth and Amy March in Louisa May Alcott's timeless classic "Little Women."
This beloved book is the inspiration for the recent Broadway hit, "Little Women, ...
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July 13 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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'Giant Peach' comes to Geauga theater
CHARDON - - The Geauga Lyric Theater Guild is presenting it's summer elementary workshop this weekend, and it's definitely not the pits.
"James and the Giant Peach" runs today at 7 p.m. and noon Saturday.
All tickets are $5 and are available at the door or b ...
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'Side Show' brings a circus to the theater
ASHTABULA - - Straw Hat Theatre will stage the musical drama "Side Show" to it's indoor stage Friday through Sunday and July 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, and 28.
All Straw Hat performances begin at 8:00 p.m.
Written by Bill Russell with music by Henry Krieger, the B ...
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July 13 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Opening Weekend, Sat. & Sun., Located at the Jefferson Depot. 440-576-6346 or www.familytrainrides.com or www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., ...
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Porter, Keener perform for Brown Bag series
ASHTABULA - - The Ashtabula Arts Center's Brown Bag Concert Series will continue at the North Park Gazebo in Ashtabula Wednesday and the Village Park in Jefferson Thursday.
Brown Bag concerts are held at noon and feature a different performer or musical gro ...
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July 6 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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'Transformers' hitting it big at box office
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - - Hasbro Inc. struggled when the toy company tied it's fortunes too closely to toys based on movies.
But a movie based on it's toys? That could be a different story.
Hasbro is banking the DreamWo ...
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'Architect' builds on family problems
"The Architect" is a disturbing yet engrossing family drama in which each family member has his or her own demons.
Anthony LaPaglia plays Leo Waters, a wealthy architect who not only designs buildings but teaches the craft in college.
He has two children, ...
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Time well spent with 'The Fantasticks'
Fantastic: Something, such as an invention, that is a creation of the fancy. (www.answers.com).
"The Fantasticks" offers at least two opportunities for thought: "Good fences make good neighbors," thank you Mr. Frost or "Familiarity breeds ...
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Finnish artwork to be on display at arts center
ASHTABULA - - An opening reception will be held July 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. for the July Art Exhibit at the Ashtabula Arts Center.
This month's featured show is "FinnFest USA 2007." The show will be on display Friday until July 28.
About 20 artists of Finnish ...
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Lots of laughs with goofy 'Transformers'
We knew it would be dumb. But we had no idea it would be so much dumb fun.
"Transformers" is so jokey that it's practically a goof on the crummy TV cartoon it is based on. Blowing through the entire Dreamworks-Paramount ...
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July 6 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Opening Weekend, Sat. & Sun., Located at the Jefferson Depot. 440-576-6346 or www.familytrainrides.com or www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., ...
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Welles: From 'Citizen Kane' to 'Transformers'
NEW YORK - - The new "Transformers" movie boasts a good cast, but it's got nothing on the original.
In a classic bit of movie trivia, the little-seen 1986 animated film "Transformers: The Movie" was Orson Welles' last f ...
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June 29 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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Big band era returns at Rabbit Run
MADISON - - Scat, big bands, exuberant dance and just plain raw energy are all elements of swing, that uniquely American form of music that energized a generation and helped bring it through the Great Depression and World War II.
"The Original Broadway Swin ...
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Classic musical 'The Fantasticks' opens
ASHTABULA - - Straw Hat Theatre will open the classic musical production "The Fantasticks" tonight.
The production will continue on the Straw Hat stage June 30, July 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8. All Straw Hat productions begin at 8 p.m.
Written by Tom Jones and Harv ...
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Rabbit Run needs actor for 'Fallen Angels'
MADISON - - Rabbit Run Theater's production of the Noel Coward comedy "Fallen Angels" still needs the role of Maurice filled.
This is the last production of the summer, running Aug. 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 29.
A male aged 40 to 60 is needed to pl ...
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A piece of history in 'Having Our Say'
MADISON - - The curtain has gone up on another crowd pleaser at Rabbit Run Theater in Madison.
"Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years" is an edifying piece of drama that causes one to remember just what it was like in the pre-Ci ...
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'Sicko' Moore's most satisfying film
Rick, an uninsured woodworker, lost two fingers in an accident. When the hospital laid out the costs of reattaching them, he could afford to save only one. A true romantic, he chose to keep his ring finger. But h ...
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'Ratatouille' too good just for kids
"Ratatouille" may be the first Pixar movie that is so advanced, so sophisticated, it doesn't feel like it was made for kids.
On a fundamental level, sure, children will probably enjoy watching the animated adventures of R ...
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June 22 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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Choral society hosts concerts in Conneaut, at KSU
The Ashtabula County Choral Music Society will present a concert on the outdoor stage of the Conneaut Community Center for the Arts Sunday at 7:00 pm.
The program, entitled "Our heritage in song: musical, Finnish, American" will include a cappella select ...
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Sisters 'Having Our Say' at Rabbit Run
MADISON - - "I never thought I'd see the day that the world would want to hear what two old Negro women have to say," says Bessie Delany.
The world does want to hear, for Bessie and her sister, Sadie, have a remarkable story to tell, and it will be told at ...
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'Oz' to end but 'Fantasticks' stuff coming
ASHTABULA - - Straw Hat Theatre at the Ashtabula Arts Center will hold final performances of the musical family favorite, "The Wizard of Oz" today and Saturday at 8 p.m.
It's the story of Dorothy and her whimsical friends who skip along the yellow brick roa ...
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'1408' checks out as fresh, creepy tale
By DAVID GERMAIN
AP Movie Writer
A Stephen King adaptation about a guy alone in a hotel room with some foul presence and a bunch of lost souls sounds like the low-rent version of the author's "The Shining," which had an entire resort hotel in which evil c ...
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Edward Norton troubled in 'Down in Valley'
Certainly you remember the film "Kalifornia," starring Brad Pitt as a trailer-trash, mass murderer.
If you liked it, check out "Down in the Valley," starring Edward Norton as a sociopath who lives in his own, fantasy cowboy world.
He's working at a full-s ...
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June 22 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Opening Weekend, Sat. & Sun., Located at the Jefferson Depot. 440-576-6346 or www.familytrainrides.com or www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., ...
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June 15 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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No mystery as to why Roberts plays 'Drew'
MINNEAPOLIS - - You don't have to be a super sleuth to figure out why the producers of "Nancy Drew" decided to send star Emma Roberts on a nationwide publicity tour.
Roberts, who is 16 going on 30, is as cute as ...
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Special effects shaky, actors fine in 'Oz'
ASHTABULA - - It is rumored that when L. Frank Baum wrote "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,' he had decided on everything except the name of the city where the wizard lived.
This was in the days of two-drawer filing cabinets, requiring that the a ...
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Voter fraud topic of student documentary
One recent evening, I watched two films, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and "How Ohio Pulled It Off."
One was long, hard to follow and an exercise in computer-generated boredom.
The other was engrossing and just plain scary.
Yes, "Pirates" w ...
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Steve Carell finds God in new film
LOS ANGELES - - Jim Carrey already learned his lessons from God. Now it's Steve Carell's turn.
A bit player in the 2003 hit "Bruce Almighty," Carell leaped to stardom in the interim, giving the filmmakers a ready-made stand- ...
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June 15 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Opening Weekend, Sat. & Sun., Located at the Jefferson Depot. 440-576-6346 or www.familytrainrides.com or www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., ...
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Emma Roberts shines as 'Nancy Drew'
Lindsay's in rehab and Paris is in jail and Britney is posting rambling letters to fans on her Web site. But teen and 'tween girls still have a wholesome role model to look up to - - or rather, see eye-to-eye with - - in "Nan ...
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June 8 Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Located at the Jefferson Depot. (440)576-6346, www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440/964-3396. Nonprofit, multi-arts facility off ...
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Rabbit run offers kids camp, violin concert
MADISON - - For the past 15 years, Rabbit Run Community Arts Association has sponsored the Children's Theater Camp.
Each summer, more than 100 campers participate in a seven-week comprehensive theater arts program held at Rabbit Run Theater and neighboring ...
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Lots of nostalgia with 'Forever Plaid'
MADISON - - Well, those four guys in plaid are at it again, this time at Rabbit Run Theater on Chapel Road.
The old barn theater is opening it's summer season with "Forever Plaid," the story of an aspiring group of vocalists that was tragicall ...
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Dorothy's not in Kansas, but at Straw Hat
ASHTABULA - - The yellow brick road leads into the Straw Hat Theatre tonight with the opening of "The Wizard of Oz."
You can leave Kansas and visit Oz today through Sunday as well as June 15, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 23. All shows begin at 8 p.m.
Since it's public ...
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June 8 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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June 1 WeekENDER Calendar
Compiled by ELLEN KOLMAN
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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'Forever Plaid' takes you back to 1950s
MADISON - - Once upon a time, four incredibly wholesome young men (it's the 1950s, of course) formed a singing ensemble, the Plaids.
Smudge, Sparky, Frankie and Jinx met at their high school audiovisual club in 1956. Discovering they shared an affection fo ...
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Straw Hat begins 41st season
ASHTABULA - - Straw Hat Theatre will open it's 41st summer season with the musical classic "The Wizard of Oz" June 8.
The production will play on the Straw Hat stage June 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 23. All shows begin at 8 p.m.
Written by Elizabeth Fu ...
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Rabbit Run Theater
Rabbit Run Theater
Enough colorful history and artistic excellence
to fill a barn
By ELLEN KOLMAN
ekolman@lagpublications.com
As "Juliet" said in Shakespeare's timeless play, "What's in a name?"
Rabbit Run Theater located in a Madison Township barn, ...
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'Knocked Up' too long, unbelievable
By Roger Moore
The Orlando Sentinel
What's wrong with this picture?
Aside from the fact that there isn't enough alcohol in Anaheim to get Katherine Heigl drunk enough to have sex with Seth Rogen, I mean.
And that running time. Two hours and nine minutes? ...
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'Sophie Scholl' one unforgettable film
It has taken 60 years, but finally some excellent German films have come out about the Nazi era.
Hopefully you've seen "Downfall," an eerie look at a feeble and erratic Adolph Hitler in his final days.
"Sophie Scholl - - Die letzten Tage (The Final Days)" n ...
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May 25 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Located at the Jefferson Depot. (440)576-6346, www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440/964-3396. Nonprofit, multi-arts facility off ...
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'14 Hours' a tall tale about tall buildings
A crowd is forming for the big parade.
Suddenly someone notices a man on the ledge.
Long before the TV series "24 Hours," there was the 1951 film "14 Hours."
Richard Basehart, who later gained fame on the TV serie ...
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Chorale society hosts concert at PV
ANDOVER - - The Ashtabula County Choral Music Society will present MayFest '07 Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Pymatuning Valley High School Veterans Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.
Singers scheduled to perform include the ACCMS Children and Youth, the ACC ...
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'Shrek the Third' lacks original zip
"Shrek the Third" begins with a death, and from there the movie itself steadily dies.
The third installment in this monster of an animated franchise still subverts the fairy tales we grew up knowing and loving, but it's s ...
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'You Can't Take It With You' perfect production
If you have caught the spring ballet at the Ashtabula Arts Center and you have heard the Ashtabula Area Orchestra and you are looking for something to fill this weekend, you might want to take a drive to Chardon to see an outstanding produc ...
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'Wizard of Oz' opens Straw Hat season
ASHTABULA - - They'll be off to see the wizard on June 8 when Straw Hat Theatre opens it's 41st summer season with the musical classic tale "The Wizard of Oz."
The production will play on the Straw Hat stage June 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 23. All show ...
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'Pirates' sequel loud, big, long
It starts with a little boy's hanging. Not before he has sung us a song, mind you.
Thus is the tone set for "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End." No, we can't have a light lark of a summer movie anymore. Bloody Ba ...
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Geneva considers bringing outdoor theater to Ashtabula County
GENEVA - - Like the drums of the Tecumseh Indian outdoor drama in Chillicothe, Geneva city officials can hear the pounding of economic deve ...
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'Shrek' films crack fairy-tale traditions
LOS ANGELES - - Ogres as romantic heroes and princess brides. Cinderella as a neurotic clean freak. Snow White as a bossy know-it-all. Puss in Boots hacking up hairballs. Pinocchio with a leaf still growing off his wooden li ...
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May 25 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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Last chance to see 'From Bach to Beatles' Sunday
ASHTABULA - - The final performances of Ballet Theatre Ashtabula's production "From Bach to the Beatles" can be seen on to the Ashtabula Arts Center stage today and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
An ensemble piece set to the music of the Penguin ...
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Six students will perform with orchestra
SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP - - Six local high school students will be performing as part of a student competition with the Ashtabula Area Orchestra Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Lakeside High School Performing Arts Center.
The students won the chance to peform with the ...
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Kicking up their feet at arts center
ASHTABULA - - "From Bach to the Beatles" promises to bring the beauty and excitement of ballet to the Ashtabula Arts Center stage today through Sunday and May 18, 19 and 20.
Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m ...
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Lots of laughter with 'Nunsense A-Men'
ASHTABULA - - The microphones squawked and screeched and the stage at the Harbor Golf Club resembled what one might expect in a 'nun-organized' last-minute effort.
Pretty much, the evening was like what most of us have experienced in a real ...
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May 11 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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Ness, Nitti, Capone back in DVD set
People who like movies like "The Godfather" or "Goodfellows" or TV shows like "The Sopranos" owe a lot of debt to the TV series "The Untouchables."
This is the 1960s series with Robert Stack as the stone-faced Elliot Ness. Don't mix it up with the 1991 Br ...
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Lohan a distraction in awful 'Georgia Rule'
With "Georgia Rule," Lindsay Lohan has made her "Gigli."
That's partly because it's as epically awful as that notorious 2003 bomb starring the artist formerly known as Bennifer. Primarily, though, it's because Lohan's wel ...
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'Spider-Man 3' overlong, convoluted
Forgiveness is on the minds of many characters in "Spider-Man 3." They ponder if they're capable of offering it, worthy of receiving it - - and whether, as the saying goes, it will ultimately prove divine.
In that spirit, a ...
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Spring dance goes from Bach to Beatles
ASHTABULA - - Ballet Theatre Ashtabula will be bringing the artistry of dance to the Ashtabula Arts Center stage May 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20.
Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m.
This year's production, "Fro ...
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Guys' night on stage 'Nunsense' with all-male cast opens at Harbor Golf
ASHTABULA - - More than one nun has a 5 o'clock shadow in Chris D'Itri's latest play, "Nunsense A-Men."
Actually, the play is exactly the same as that zany comedy, "Nunsense," except it is don ...
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'Ushpizin' a comedy from a different land
One great thing movies can do is take you to different worlds, different lands, different customs.
Sometimes those lands and customs in movies are entirely fiction. Sorry to break it to you, but there is no real Luke Skywalker.
On rare occasions, movies c ...
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Spider-Man back and bigger than ever
LOS ANGELES - - The problem with the present? All anyone wants to talk about is the future.
At least that's the case with director Sam Raimi and the cast of "Spider-Man 3," which opens nationwide today.
"It's really funny, ...
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May 4 WeekENDER Calendar
Compiled by ELLEN KOLMAN
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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May 4 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ELLEN KOLMAN
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Located at the Jefferson Depot. (440)576-6346, www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440/964-3396. Nonprofit, multi-arts facility off ...
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April 27 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Located at the Jefferson Depot. (440)576-6346, www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440/964-3396. Nonprofit, multi-arts facility off ...
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Good Life Singers launch spring concert
ASHTABULA - - The Good Life Singers will be presenting their annual spring concert, "Spring Into the Good Life" today and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The event will be held in the Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St. A free reception will be held following the ...
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'Diggers' a well-written slice of life
Long before the invasion of celebrities like Alec Baldwin, Christie Brinkley and Puffy (or whatever Sean Combs was calling himself back then), the Hamptons were, apparently, pretty sedate and unpretentious.
We're talking ...
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Anna Nicole's last film: 'Illegal Aliens'
LOS ANGELES - - Anna Nicole Smith was never considered a serious actress, and she's unlikely to win any posthumous film awards for her final role as a goofy, flatulent superhero who's part of a trio of alien babes protecting ...
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Cleveland Orchestra Ensemble to perform
ASHTABULA - - The St. Peter's Fine Arts Series will host a classical music concert featuring the Cleveland Orchestra Ensemble Sunday at 2 p.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 4901 Main Ave. with a reception to follow.
The concert, funded by private, busine ...
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'Year of the Dog' one dark film
We love our dogs. Some of us really love them. But does anybody know what to say to somebody left bereft when a cherished friend, companion and pet dies?
Everybody knows a Peggy, that nice neighbor lady who lavishes all ...
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April 27 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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'Akeelah' a true family film
In fact, family films often mean kids-only films.
But there are a few nice exceptions. One of them is "Akeelah and the Bee."
It's the story of a smart, South Los Angeles student who ends up c ...
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'Baby Sitter' actors go through motions
ASHTABULA - - Luckily, Ray Beach constructed a sturdy set for "The Baby Sitter."
Throughout the entire production at the Ashtabula Arts Center, any door that could be opened and closed was slammed and slammed and then slammed again for good ...
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'Vacancy' leaves you feeling empty
"Vacancy" is the kind of movie that leaves you feeling icky all over afterward - - grimy and sickened and desperately in need of a shower.
Yes, it is a horror flick and so of course it's supposed to be violent. But the way ...
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A summer of 3's
LOS ANGELES - - The superstitious believe bad things happen in threes. Hollywood is counting on the opposite this summer, with the industry's hopes resting on the third installments of some mammoth movie franchises.
First, t ...
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'Boardinghouse' opens tonight
CONNEAUT - - The comedy-mystery "The Boardinghouse" opens tonight for two weekends at the Conneaut Community Center for the Arts, 1025 Buffalo St.
Center executive director Penny Armeni says the play takes place on the shore of Lake "Eerie," where life is ...
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April 20 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ELLEN KOLMAN
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Located at the Jefferson Depot. (440)576-6346, www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440/964-3396. Nonprofit, multi-arts facility off ...
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'Hot Fuzz' proves heavy on laughs
With "Hot Fuzz," Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg do for buddy-cop action tales what they did for zombie flicks on "Shaun of the Dead": Present a nice homage while tweaking the conventions and making jolly good fun of the genre ...
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'Melinda and Melinda' winner for Woody
Woody Allen can be a great director. At times, he falls on his face.
Two years ago he created "Melinda and Melinda," a real change of pace when it comes to story ideas.
It has lots of the trappings of a Woody Allen film. As usual, the main character is Ne ...
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Good Life to perform
ASHTABULA - - The Good Life Singers will be presenting their annual spring concert April 27 and 28 at 7:30 at the Ashtabula Arts Center.
p.m. The event will be held in the arts centers indoor theater, 2928 W. 13th St. A free reception will be held following ...
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April 20 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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Clooney a loser in new film
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - - Is that George Clooney sitting across the US Airways terminal?
Couldn't be.
Black T-shirt. Black slacks. Maybe it's Zorro.
Wait. There's a middle-aged woman going over to talk to him. Let's watch - - clos ...
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April 6 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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You won't be in Kansas anymore
ASHTABULA - - You'll be off to see the wizard as the Straw Hat Theatre season opens in June at the Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St. in
The season will open June 8 with the family musical "The Wizard of Oz." Following that most famous of all Kansas cy ...
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'Hoax' entertaining Vietnam-era film
Clifford Irving earned a reputation as America's greatest liar more than 30 years ago. So you can't take his account of the way he concocted his "autobiography" of Howard Hughes - - rendered into a movie as "The Hoax" - - t ...
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It's lunacy and laughter with 'The Baby Sitter'
ASHTABULA - - G. B. Community Theatre will be open the season's wackiest comedy "The Baby Sitter" April 13.
Written by W. Randolph Galvin, the comedy is overflowing with clever dialogue, smart characters and screwball surprises.
Performances will be held F ...
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'First Snow' a 'who will do it?'
He's a salesman. His car breaks down in Low-Rider Central: New Mexico.
Stuck at a garage, bored, he ducks into the trailer where a fortune teller has set up shop. He hears the usual platitudes. The "performer" gets a fe ...
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'Ella' quality production about singer
CLEVELAND - - Ella Fitzgerald, known the world around as the 'First Lady of Song" is the title character in the current offering at The Cleveland Play House.
The winner of 13 Grammy awards, Ella sold more than 40 million albums of jazz and b ...
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April 6 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Located at the Jefferson Depot. (440)576-6346, www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440/964-3396. Nonprofit, multi-arts facility off ...
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March 30 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Located at the Jefferson Depot. (440)576-6346, www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440/964-3396. Nonprofit, multi-arts facility off ...
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'Peyton Place' tame by today's standards
When you think of Peyton Place, you think of the book or movie or TV series about the little New England town that on the surface seems so normal, but underneath is a hotbed of scandal, lies and deceit.
The Viper took his first look at the original 1957 m ...
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Pianist to play at Kent campus
ASHTABULA - - Michael Schneider will perform on piano at Kent State University-Ashtabula Campus Auditorium Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in a free concert.
Schneider has performed internationally, from Poland to France. He was awarded the "Demonic Liszt" prize at t ...
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'The Lookout' offers twist in film noir
r
Any more it takes a pretty nifty twist to put an edge on the well-worn conventions of the noir crime thriller. Scott Frank provides one with "The Lookout," his directing debut after a career as one of Hollywood's most ...
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'Pocahontas' comes to center for one weekend
ASHTABULA - - The charming tale of Pocahontas and the English settlers of Jamestown can be seen on the Ashtabula Arts Center stage this weekend with the Children's Theater Production Class presentation of "Pocahontas."
It runs today, Saturday and Sunday. Sh ...
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March 30 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - Sat. ...
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'Blades' offers a few decent laughs
He's done NASCAR racing and soccer. Now Will Ferrell is on to figure skating, with "Blades of Glory" offering a few prime gags but a flimsy premise that loses it's novelty quickly.
The idea sounds like a great little "Satur ...
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Little babies make difference in films
Years ago, when the Earth was younger and less warm, a column appeared in the Star Beacon Friday entertainment tabloid, looking at movies on video, especially films you might not otherwise be introduced to.
So we are reviving the column, running it when ...
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'Over the Tavern' will keep you entertained
ASHTABULA - - The only thing missing from the set of "Over the Tavern" at the Ashtabula Arts Center is the smell of cigarette smoke wafting up the stairway into the Pazinski apartment and maybe the 'thump, thump, thump' of the jukebox that - - ...
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'Kids Sing roadway' opens
ASHTABULA - - Broadway is alive and well and G. B. Community Theatre will be celebrating all those tunes when "Kids Sing Broadway" comes to the stage Thursday through March 25.
Show times are 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Sunday matinee will ...
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Mozart lives at concert event
ASHTABULA - - The Ashtabula County Choral Music Society, in collaboration with Hiram College Choir, will present Mozart's "Requiem, K696" Sunday at 4 p.m. at Mother of Sorrow Church, 1464 W. 6th St.
Tickets are available from participants, at the Kent State ...
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March 16 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Located at the Jefferson Depot. (440)576-6346, www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440/964-3396. Nonprofit, multi-arts facility off ...
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March 16 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - S ...
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Rock needs finesse with 'Love My Wife'
Chris Rock says his latest film, "I Think I Love My Wife," is a more accurate reflection of who he is. It's more realistic, more introspective, more subdued.
As director, co-writer and star, he's drawn his inspiration fro ...
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String quartet hosts free concert
ASHTABULA - - La Catrina String Quartet will perform Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent State - - Ashtabula auditorium in a free concert.
It is sponsored by El Puente Restaurant in front of the Ashtabula Mall, Ashtabula Township and Conneaut and Geneva medical ...
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Arts concert Sunday Jefferson series ends season with chamber music
JEFFERSON - - The Jefferson Fine Arts concert series hosts it's final program of the season Sunday at 3 p.m. the First Congregational United Church of Christ.
The afternoon of chamber music will feature Kathryn Brown on piano, Takako Masame on violin and Cha ...
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'Over The Tavern' brews up hilarity
ASHTABULA - - G. B. Community Theatre at the Ashtabula Arts Center has "Over the Tavern" on tap for today through Sunday and Thursday, March 16 and 17.
Show time is 8 p.m. for all Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows. Sunday matinee will begin at 3 p.m.
Set ...
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Auditions to be held for Straw Hat Theatre
ASHTABULA - - Straw Hat Theatre at the Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., will be holding auditions for this summer's musical season on Monday, March 17 and 18.
Auditions will be held for the following shows: "Moby Dick the Musical," to be presented ...
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March 9 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - S ...
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'Ultimate Gift' gentle, genial drama
I wonder if "The Ultimate Gift" will reach the people who need it most. This gentle, genial drama about a guy who puts his life on a meaningful path is distributed by Fox Faith, so critics and audiences may relegate ...
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March 9 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Located at the Jefferson Depot. (440)576-6346, www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440/964-3396. Nonprofit, multi-arts facility off ...
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'Black Snake Moan' about sex, religion
By Roger Moore
The Orlando Sentinel
"Black Snake Moan" is lurid, Southern-fried pulp fiction, a film sweaty with sex, feverish with religious passion. Set in the familiar but almost-lost rural South of seedy juke joints, in-the-spirit churches and dirt fa ...
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'Over The Tavern' takes trip back to 50s
ASHTABULA - - It's the Eisenhower era and the Polish-Catholic Pazinski family live over their Buffalo bar.
The family includes Dad, Mom and four kids, Eddie, Annie, Georgie and Rudy.
Under the influence of Ed Sullivan, Mad magazine and his own questioning ...
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March 2 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - S ...
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'Zodiac' filmmaker recalls wave of panic
The phrase "From the director of 'Seven"' conjures up a certain expectation, especially when it's plastered on the posters for "Zodiac," a movie about the notorious serial killer who preyed on San Francisco in the 1960s and ...
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March 2 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Located at the Jefferson Depot. (440)576-6346, www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440/964-3396. Nonprofit, multi-arts facility off ...
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'Wild Hogs' an incredibly lazy movie
Slap William H. Macy in between a few slices of Hollywood ham named Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and John Travolta. It's a "Wild Hogs" sandwich, a genial, unambitious Disney contribution to what has become - - thanks to "Gh ...
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Past 'Capers' reprised for new show
CONNEAUT - - For it's 10th anniversary show this weekend, the popular Conneaut Capers community revue will reprise some of it's greatest hits, organizers say.
Appropriately titled "Blasts from the Past," the prod ...
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'Astronaut Farmer' progressively less fun
"The Astronaut Farmer" begins with a classic what's-wrong-with-this-picture moment:
Out on the Texas prairie a man on horseback rescues a lost calf. Making the scene memorable is the rider's garb. Instead of jeans and ...
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Your last chance to see 'Annie'
ASHTABULA - - The sun will come out on subsequent tomorrows, but "Annie" won't be there.
The play about the curly-haired orphan ends at the Ashtabula Arts Center after performances today and Saturday at 8 p.m.
The cast includes local veteran Phil Mullet pla ...
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You'll quickly get sick of 'Number 23'
One of the many mysteries about the number 23 is why Jim Carrey and director Joel Schumacher thought audiences would share their fascination over the mysteries about the number 23.
Their thriller "The Number 23" (admit it, ...
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February 23 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Located at the Jefferson Depot. (440)576-6346, www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440/964-3396. Nonprofit, multi-arts facility off ...
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Comic tales don't do well at Oscars
LOS ANGELES - - The Academy Awards typically are a gloomy Sunday, ending with a heavy drama crowned as best picture.
Yet there's good news for this year's exhilarating romp, "Little Miss Sunshine": Over the last decade, acad ...
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February 23 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - S ...
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'Music and Lyrics' a weird hybrid
By CHRISTY LEMIRE
AP Movie Critic
"Music and Lyrics" is a weird little hybrid of a romantic comedy that's simultaneously too fluffy and not whimsical enough.
Writer-director Marc Lawrence is definitely aiming for a retro '40s feel, with his bustling New Y ...
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Murphy may have Oscar speech to deliver
By DAVID GERMAIN
AP Movie Writer
LOS ANGELES - - It's a dramatic shift, when funny men turn serious. Even Eddie Murphy, the latest of Hollywood's top comic performers to try, has had some laughs over his own transformation, which could bring him an Academy ...
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February 16 WeekENDER Places To Visit
ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES
AC & J Scenic Family Train Rides, Located at the Jefferson Depot. (440)576-6346, www.acjrscenic.net
Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440/964-3396. Nonprofit, multi-arts facility off ...
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'Annie:' Great singing, acting, dancing
With some singing, some dancing and a bit of arf!arfing, "Annie" has come to the Ashtabula Arts Center.
With the advice that 'The sun will come out tomorrow,' Annie encourages us all to hold tight, for things will eventually get better. An ...
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February 16 WeekENDER Calendar
ARBORETUMS
Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, is a living botanical museum in a natural setting filled with domestic and exotic plants. Nature walks, tours and classes are available. Sun., 9 a.m. -5 p.m. and Fri. - S ...
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Unruly youths shut down movie theater
YOUNGSTOWN (AP) - - A movie theater in suburban Boardman Township shut down because of rowdy behavior by more than 100 juveniles and a 13-year-old girl was charged with assaulting two police officers.
After the unruly crowd was removed from Cinemark Movies ...
