‘Christmas Story’ fans can visit movie’s house

December 14, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

CLEVELAND — If the movie “A Christmas Story” is one of your holiday favorites, consider a visit to the house in Cleveland where many scenes in the film were shot.

Fans can visit the house used in the filming of the movie, restored to its appearance in the film.

There is also a museum displaying movie props and costumes.

A Christmas Story House & Museum is at 3159 W. 11th St. in the Tremont neighborhood.

Admission is $7.50 for adults, $5.50 for kids 7-12.

Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. The site is also open Wednesdays Dec. 17 and 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the final tour beginning at 4:30 p.m., but it’s closed Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

For more information, visit www.AChristmasStoryHouse.com.

In Rome, hall reopens after being restored

ROME — A huge hall in the ancient baths of Diocletian reopened in Rome after 30 years.

The hall underwent structural restoration. It contains ancient tombs dating to the 2nd century A.D.

One of the tombs on display has a vault surface covered with circles and is decorated with geometric and flower motifs.

The other features niches for the ashes of the deceased and graffiti with their names.

Archaeologists said that the hall is believed to have served as a recreational room.

Its marbles and decorations have been lost over the centuries.

The bath complex was built between 298 and 306 A.D. Including libraries, gardens and areas dedicated to shows and games, it could accommodate up to 3,000 people.

New Sports Museum has much memorabilia

LOS ANGELES — Babe Ruth’s 1934 uniform, Joe DiMaggio’s record-breaking ball from his legendary 56-game hitting streak, and jerseys from NBA and NFL greats are among the treasures on display at the new Sports Museum of Los Angeles.

The museum, which opened Nov. 28, contains 10,000 items collected over 25 years by one man, Gary Cypres, a Los Angeles businessman originally from the Bronx.

The collection includes one of the earliest Heisman trophies, awarded to Bruce “Boo” Smith in 1941; a cornice stone from the original Yankee Stadium; and a room with 25 oil paintings of baseball Hall of Famers.

For more information, visit www.sportsmuseumla.com.

Whistler Blackcomb tops list of ski resorts

NEW YORK — Conde Nast Traveler magazine’s annual ski poll named Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia the best ski resort town in North America.

Whistler Blackcomb also won for best apres-ski and activities, as well as for best local dining.

Also in the top 10 rankings, which appear in the magazine’s December issue, are Telluride, Colo.; Deer Valley, Utah; Aspen, Colo.; Jackson Hole, Wyo.; Sun Valley, Idaho; Vail, Colo.; Beaver Creek, Colo.; Park City, Utah; and Sun Peaks, British Columbia.

Bon Appetit picks list of seafood restaurants

NEW YORK — Seafood can be plain or fancy, from classic lobster rolls to an octopus salad with mango and cucumber.

Bon Appetit magazine’s December issue picks 10 seafood restaurants around the country that run the gamut.

They are Reef in Houston, at 2600 Travis St.; Fins in Raleigh, N.C., at 110 E. Davie St.; Little Fish in Philadelphia, at 600 Catherine St.; Go Fish in St. Helena, Calif., at 641 Main St.; in Dallas, Dallas Fish Market, at 1501 Main St.; in San Francisco, Anchor & Hope, 83 Minna St.; in New York City, Lure, at 142 Mercer St.; in Maine, Blue Sky on York Beach, at 2 Beach St., York Beach; in Washington D.C., Tackle Box, at 3245 M St. NW; and in Chicago, 120, at 2300 N. Lincoln Park W.

Associated Press