Memorial Day 2010

A rose garden has been planted around the Civil War Monument in Willoughby, Ohio, at the north end of Erie Street downtown. This side commemorates the 1864 Battle of the Wilderness, fought in Virginia.

Most towns have a monument to war fallen, with the names inscribed in stone. You'd be amazed how many surnames you'd recognize. They're the ancestors, direct and collateral, of people you know.

These memorials are frequently situated in such a way that you can't photograph them without the aesthetic carbuncles of street signs, traffic signals, utility lines and poles.

The roses do make up for it.

Kitchens and Feasts

Thursday morning Maria Cutler of the Cleveland Orchestra's Women's Committee dropped in to chat us about the Midsummer's "Feastival" and Kitchen Tour June 11 and 12, a benefit for the Cleveland Orchestra's educational programs.

The Chef's Feast on Friday, June 11 at the Union Club includes appetizers prepared by chefs from "Moxie," "fire, food and drink," "Flying Fig," "Three Birds" and "L'Albatros" plus a silent auction, dinner and live auction. On June 12, take a self-guided tour of eight kitchens in spectacular homes in Gates Mills, Hunting Valley, Moreland Hills, Pepper Pike and Shaker Heights.

Maria gave this phone number for info and tickets: 216/381-9120.

Chivin'

The Chive Forest blooms beautifully in May. Notice the pink centers in the lavender flowers.

Don't Try This at Home

The British ensemble Stringfever tackles Ravel and, apparently, each other.

There are Many Tales in the Creative City...

Kay Shames, director of Cleveland State's Center for Arts and Innovation, dropped by on WCLV's "First Program" today on 104.9 & wclv.com to chat about the June 7 "Arts Summit" and what it means to be creative in real life, inside and outside the arts world.

The day includes an audience-inclusive panel discussion plus a luncheon. The keynote speaker is actor LeVar Burton. The panel discussion is free; there is a fee for the luncheon. Reservations and information for both events: www.csuohio.edu/cai or 216-687-5018.

Tramping About

A flowery stalk from one of the Cleveland Metroparks. A woodsy end to a beautiful weekend.

Many of you called to say how much you enjoyed the Jubilation Church Choir Festival, held Thursday and Friday nights at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland and heard live on WCLV 104.9 & wclv.com. The capacity audience saw Lloyd Newell, radio voice of "Music and Spoken Word," host the WCLV broadcasts.

The winner of the $1,000 check and the Jubilation trophy was the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Choir of Akron. The results are posted on wclv.com. I'll update on this blog when the performances are posted.

One More Chance

The finale of the 2010 Jubilation Church Choir Festival is tonight. See it in person at 8 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland, or listen in person to WCLV at 104.9 FM or on our internet stream on wclv.com.

Tonight, as last night, three choirs will perform for a panel of distinguished judges. Host of the broadcast is Lloyd Newell, who hosts "Music and the Spoken Word," the Mormon Tabernacle Choir program that is heard on WCLV Sunday nights at 8:30.

In 2008, when Lloyd was in town for the first Jubliation festival, he revealed that of all the broadcasting jobs he's had, hosting "Music and the Spoken Word" is the most rewarding, and he does it for free.