Follow Up to Time for Three

Several posts ago, I wrote about a group coming to Oberlin called "Time for Three." The performance was last night. We were there. Where were you? Wherever you were, we just wanted to tell you that you missed a FANTASTIC show!!! The group played nonstop for an entire 90 minutes - three guys, 2 violins, and a double bass.

The idea of a Classical Garage Band may seem a contradiction but for these three grads of Curtis Institute of Music it fits. Their twin violin and double bass took the audience on a whirlwind tour of what three instruments can accomplish when conventional wisdom is discarded to the curb.

The music was forefront, but the interaction of the three performers was a constant bonus. The bass player treated the two violins as a battle that he fully enjoyed along with his own love affair with that big bass. The audience cheered after Nick left his violin, took his bow, and went over to Zack. They both then played on one violin with both of them bowing and fingering together! Amazing!! A standing ovation ended the show but luckily brought us an encore.

This group has 3 recorded CD's with the 3rd one hitting the billboard charts. They have combined Bach and Charlie Daniels to perfection and any of their pieces stands alone as joyous music.

Since we are a Civil War themed B & B, the pieces were especially attractive to our mission. Their rendition of Shenandoah fit 1863 to a T! All in all, we hightly recommend that you take the time to see Time for Three if they come to a town near you. You'll be glad you did. The only thing I regret is that I did not purchase one of their CD's last night. Now I have to order one and wait for delivery.

An Afternoon of Pampering!

During these cold winter days with snow and blowing winds, we sometimes just have to take some time to pamper ourselves and that is just what I did yesterday and I was able to accomplish that right here at Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast.



I began first with an hour long hill walk on the Sole treadmill at a maximum speed of 4.0 mph. Then 30 minutes of Yoga with WII Plus on the WII balance board. Ah! The stretching was great and the little MII so cute!




Next stop, the far-infrared sauna. Grabbed my book and my water bottle, ducked into the sauna and sweated away for 45 minutes! Now I have seen some luxurious day spas advertising a dry heat sauna experience - $15.00 for 15 minutes or $25.00 for 30 minutes! My sauna was free and it would be free for you as a guest of the B & B! The temperature reached 145 degrees but it is so dry that it felt absolutely divine! My muscles relaxed and all was well with the world! You definitely do not have the type of sweating you experience on a 95 degree in the summer here in Ohio!



When the heat went off, I hopped out of the sauna and into the Jacuzzi whirlpool tub surrounded by candle light, with a glass of red wine, and soft classical music emanating from the Bose stereo.



The entire 3 hours was absolutely fantastic! Now if I only had that many hours everyday!!! But I guess the old adage applies: Carpe Diem! Seize the Day and when the opportunity presents itself, grab it and go with it!



If YOU want to take 3 or 4 hours to pamper yourself, you can do it here at Hallauer House B & B. Come Friday night. Take in dinner and a movie. Get a good nights sleep. After breakfast on Saturday, relax a bit. Read. Go to our on-site gym. Do your workout on the Bow Flex, the treadmill, or the elliptical, do some Yoga or stretching, then head for the sauna, and lastly relax in the Jacuzzi. You might even be able to run into Oberlin and get a deep muscle massage from Artie or Scott! Go out to a great dinner at one of our fabulous restaurants, take in a movie at the Apollo, and come back to the B & B to sip on wine, read a good book, or watch a movie on satellite. After breakfast on Sunday, head home to the real life. But now you are refreshed, rejuvenated, and recharged!



When you need a lift, remember us here at Hallauer House. Check out our Spa Package or just book a weekend. You know you want to! And you won't be disappointed!



SPECIAL!!! SPECIAL!!!! If you book the Spa Package in March of 2010 and mention this Blog article of February 26, you will receive 10% off the package! You must come between March 1 and March 31st and mention this Blog post in order to get the discount. See you soon!

Movie Fest Coming to Oberlin!

Ok, get out the calendar and pencil and mark the following dates and times if you really want to see some fine films, documentaries, and musical productions in the 'new' Apollo theater with HD digital projection and sound. Super sound!


So here we go:

Oscar nominee - An Education - a movie about choosing between romance and education.
Click the link for a YouTube clip.
Fri., Sat., and Sun. - Feb. 26-28 at 7:20 PM
Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., - Mar. 1-Mar. 4 at 4:30 PM


Oscar nominee - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - a film that is humorous, tragic, joy
and darkness. Heath Ledgers last film.
Fri., Sat., and Sun. Feb. 26 - 28 at 9:30 PM


La Danse - a documentary film of all that goes in to the making of a Paris
ballet. Seven dances are highlighted.
Fri. and Sat. Feb. 26 and 27 at 4:00 PM
Thurs. Mar. 4th at 7:00 PM

Aida, an Opera by Verdi, in Italian but with English subtitles. This is 157 min.
long with one intermission and it has a special price of $20.00 per person.
If you have ever wanted to see an opera, then here's your chance!
Sunday, Feb. 28th at 1:30 PM
Wed. March 3rd at 7:00 PM

William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe- a Documentary about the
late radical civil rights lawyer who marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. and
represented the famed "Chicago 8" activists.
Monday, March 1st at 7:00 PM

The Beaches of Agnes - a Documentary with English subtitles, spoken in
French about the life of Agnes Varda.
Tuesday, March 2nd at 7:00 PM

I've linked you to some YouTube videoes to watch and you can decide from there which films you might like to come and see. Another great thing going on in Oberlin, Ohio!

Enjoy your movies! And the popcorn is good too. Pepsi-not so much. As you can see, I prefer Coke!

Another Super Saturday Coming Up!!

Make plans now for a Saturday night date! (February 27, 2010)
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Place: Finney Chapel
Entertainers: "Time for Three" Trio

So now you may be asking, "Ok, who are the "Time for Three" Trio"?!

They just happen to be 3, very hot, young, 20 something guys, who have come together to perform a new kind of music that combines classical, country, jazz, blue grass, and pop using just three instruments - 2 violins and a double bass. They make a fabulous sound, they engage the audience, and they enjoy themselves!!! What more can you want! I could ramble on and on about them but I want you to visit 2 YouTube links and here them for yourself,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh_eVsXu7-0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_SZp_L3q4c

When you get to the link, you will find many more videos of their performances. So sit back and enjoy! And to think that they will be in Oberlin this coming Saturday! Yeah! Tickets are $5.00 for Oberlin residents and Seniors and $10.00 for the general public. Call 1 800-371-0178 for tickets or more information. And remember, most Oberlin events sell out before the performance. But don't go to the phone just yet. I have to call and get my tickets! We'll see you at the performance!

The "Unicorn" in Grafton

Oberlin is energised this weekend! There are voice auditions, string auditions, and recitals taking place causing long waits at all of the restaurants in town. So Joe and I decided to venture east to a little town in Lorain County called Grafton, home to the Irish restaurant called "The Unicorn."

And it is truly Irish! We sat in the Pub area instead of the more formal restaurant section where we were immediately greeted by our server. We sipped on our Killian Red beers while we enjoyed a cup of New England Clam Chowder. Having skipped lunch we were in need of some quick nourishment! The chowder was divine, the beer cold and wet, and the bread warm and heavenly!

The wait for our entrees was very short and after the first bite I knew that I had made the right decision! My special consisted of a small Fillet Mignon served alongside Salmon Bearnaise on a bed of rice pilaf. Both were cooked perfectly and they absolutely melted in my mouth! Delicious! Joe enjoyed the Friday fish fry special with a baked potato and cole slaw and I had to share some steak with him! We were both more than satisfied with the atmosphere, the service, and the taste and presentation of the food! Excellent!

So when you come to visit Oberlin, if you want to experience a true Irish Pub/Restaurant in the heart of Lorain County, go no further than "The Unicorn," only a short 15 minute drive from the B & B. And as I write this, I realized that I failed to pick up a menu for our collection so I guess I will have to go back for a return visit! Yeah!

An Extra Special Menu for Extra Special Guests

Audition weekends at Oberlin Conservatory always bring us nervous guests, parents and students alike, and to help them relax in the morning we like to serve an extra special breakfast. Today we presented them with the following menu:


Mixed Citrus Compote topped with toasted coconut and cherry

Hallauer House Muffin

Blueberry Cream Crepe
with drizzling of Vanilla Cream Sauce garnished with Whipped Cream and highlighted with a Ginger Geranium sprig and lemon wedge

Roasted Honey Pecan Bacon

Coffee, Assorted Teas, and Hot Chocolate

A past guest reviewed these crepes by saying "I have eaten many crepes in France and in Europe and these are by far the best that I have ever had!" So we are pleased to offer them again and when YOU come and stay, you may request this menu to be served for your extra special breakfast! See you then!

Another Great Production in Oberlin!

In an earlier post I mentioned that there will be a lot going on in Oberlin this month. First off, since the weather is cold and snowy, you still have time to visit the down town and see the three ice sculptures that were done on Saturday during the Ice Fest.

They may still be around for this weekend when you come to see the upcoming production, "Intimate Apparel" at Hall Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 11; Friday, Feb. 12; and Saturday, Feb. 13. The play was written by Lynn Nottage and has won five national awards for best play. It is set in 1905 and tells the story of an African American seamstress who sews very fancy and sexy undergarments for the upper, wealthy ladies on 5th Ave. and also for the 'under' prostitute ladies of the streets. It is a play about self-discovery, about race and class in America, and about desire and hope for the future. Performance times are at 8:00 each night. Tickets are $8.00 for general public and $6.00 for Seniors.

And while you are setting up your schedule for the rest of February, just want to let you know that there will be a performance on Tuesday, February 23 at 7:30 P.M. by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. And this concert is FREE at Finney Chapel! This South African singing group has performed around the world in lively a cappella harmony. You may remember them from Paul Simon's album, "Graceland." They have sold more than seven million copies of more than 40 albums and have won three Grammy awards. Since it is a Tuesday night why not take a day off on Wed. and stay here at Hallauer House. We have rooms for Tuesday night but alas, no rooms for Valentine weekend for the "Intimate Apparel" performance. A special deal of $99.00 for the Union or Confederate Room is being offered for the Tuesday night performace of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Just mention this Blog post!

And be sure to check out our 'new, revised' website! Let us know what you think!

A WEEKEND OF FUN COMING UP!

So, are you experiencing cabin fever yet? Need to get out and do something different? If the answer is YES, then take a peek at what you will find going on in Oberlin and Wellington this weekend - February 5th, 6th, and 7th. Come and stay at the B & B Friday night so that you can get going early to each activity!


First off on Saturday, drive a short 7 miles down to Wellington and take part in the CHOCOLATE WALK! That's right, I said Chocolate Walk! Um m! Sounds so good! First stop is at Main Street Wellington at 118 W. Herrick Ave. to buy your $10.00 chocolate ticket. Then visit some of the 30 participating businesses and offices that are taking part and receive your 'CHOCOLATE' surprise. You may want to run back up to Oberlin for a few hours to attend the function taking place there at the same time.


Oberlin is host to the FREEZING ARTS FEST which takes place from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.! Here there will be master ice sculptors creating works of art in the downtown area in front of Ben Franklin's (13 W. College St.) and at the Gingko Gallery (19 S. Main St) there will be snowflake making. During the fest there will be an ice cube toss, ice bowling, and other ice games taking place on W. College St. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available at Herrick's Jewelry for a donation and cabbage and noodles can be purchased at Watson Hardware.

Then maybe race back down to Wellington to get the rest of those CHOCOLATE surprises!

Rest up and warm up during the evening and then have dinner at one of our fine restaurants. The movie at the Apollo this week is Avatar but in 2D.

After breakfast at the B & B on Sunday, check out late and make plans to attend an Oberlin College production of Shakespeare's "Love's Labour Lost." That performance will take place on Sunday at 2:00P.M. in the Hall Auditorium Little Theater at the rear of of the building. This Play will also be performed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week at 8:00 P.M. Tickets are $3.00 in advance or $5.00 at the door. A shout out to Phillip Waller, the Director and the son of one of our very special guests who'll be here for the weekend! Click on the link above for more details.

There is always something going on in Oberlin! Keep checking back to read about more events. See you then!