It’s almost Oscar time
The Academy Awards are a week away, so you’re running out of time to catch up on the nominees.
Some are already on DVD and Blu-ray, or are coming soon (Nebraska and Gravity hit the discs on Tuesday). But if you believe in seeing the movies on a big screen, Cinemark Valley View has been hosting showings of all the films nominated for the best-picture Oscar.
Today includes showings of Philomena, Dallas Buyers Club and American Hustle. Monday has Nebraska and The Wolf of Wall Street, followed by Her and American Hustle again on Tuesday, Philomena again and 12 Years a Slave on Wednesday, and Gravity, Dallas Buyers Club and Captain Phillips on Thursday.
See www.cinemark.com for showtimes and information about buying a $40 bundle pass to see all nine nominees.
Winter Jam tonight
Looking for a rock concert suitable for the entire family? One that’s not going to require taking out a second mortgage?
The 2014 Winter Jam at 6 tonight at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland just may be the event for you and yours. This year’s edition of the popular Christian pop/rock/rap concert will feature Newsboys, Lecrae, Tenth Avenue North, Thousand Foot Krutch, Plumb, NewSong, Colton Dixon, speaker Nick Hall, Love and the Outcome, Derek Minor and Everfound.
That’s a healthy bunch of Lord-loving artists for a mere $10 per ticket. Purchase at the Wolstein Center’s box office, online at www.wolsteincenter.com or by phone at 877-468-4946. For information, call 216-687-9292.
Leave winter behind
Spring starts Friday — in downtown Akron, at least.
That’s the day the HBA Akron Home & Flower Show will open within the comfortable confines of the John S. Knight Center. You can check out the vendors’ exhibits, stroll through indoor gardens, enjoy stage presentations and browse the arts and crafts.
John Gidding of HGTV’s Curb Appeal will make appearances Friday and Saturday, and Dr. Lori Verderame of the Discovery Channel’s Auction Kings will evaluate antiques during stage presentations all three days.
Show hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. next Sunday. Tickets are $8 at the door or $7 in advance at www.akronhome andflowershow.com. Children 12 or younger will get in free with an adult.
Make plans for a trip
Time to plan a vacation. Don’t know where to go? To get traveler’s opinions on a city’s attractions, lodging and restaurants, visit www.tripadvisor.com.
The site doesn’t limit posts to large cities. There are comments about New York City, as well as the village of Hartville.
By the way, if you visit Hartville, don’t forget the Hartville MarketPlace and Flea Market. With warmer weather will come more vendors selling treasures that have been buried in the basement.
The MarketPlace is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Lunch downtown
Lunch is served Tuesdays at Greystone Hall, 103 S. High St., in downtown Akron, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Lunch Garden menu changes from week to week, but always includes a soup, salad, entree and dessert. It’s $10, and that includes tax and tip.
Visit www.greystonehall.org for more information, to see next week’s menu, or see future dates for the Lunch Garden.