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A cross section of a 250-year-old Pasadena oak tree that was uprooted in a 1993 windstorm is among the first things visitors will see upon entering the Huntington’s new exhibit, “This Land Is…” Jagged cracks in the trunk, which was once rooted in the Huntington’s lawn, are feebly held together by wooden joints.

It’s a fitting emblem of what’s to come in a long-planned show curated to coincide with the country’s upcoming semiquincentennial, and crafted to pose land itself as central to the country’s complex past. After taking in the exhibit, attendees can draw their own conclusions about the land’s role as a “geographical and metaphorical space of promise, struggle, and belonging.”

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On a recent late afternoon, the Pasadena sun drilled down on the facade of the Huntington’s MaryLou and George Boone Gallery, where the show’s organizers waited beside four chiseled columns with their hands tucked behind their backs, swaying in anticipation.

“It’s the first time anyone is seeing it,” said Linde B. Lehtinen, the museum’s senior curator of photography.

Joining her are Josh Garrett-Davis, curator of Western American history, and Armando Pulido, assistant curator for special projects. All three smile with excitement.

For the better part of the last two and a half years, Lehtinen and Garrett-Davis have spearheaded the curation of “This Land Is…,” which opens Sunday and runs through early next year.

For them the fallen oak tree represents hope amid disturbance: Another once-towering elder on the museum’s North Vista was uprooted during a windstorm in 2025 — one of its acorns has since sprouted and now stands more than 6-feet tall.

Still, it only brushes the surface of an exhibition that seamlessly draws upon a plethora of works crafted across U.S. history. Want to plan a visit? Here are five things you shouldn’t miss seeing.

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“This machine kills fascists,” etched on the back of Woody Guthrie’s guitar on display at The Huntington.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

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A closer view of the “This Machine Kills Facists” etching.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Woody Guthrie’s guitar, inscribed with ‘This Machine Kills Fascists’

In 1940, Woody Guthrie sat in a Midtown Manhattan hotel, toiling over lyrics for what would become “This Land Is Your Land.” Today, it’s been adopted as a quasi-anthem for the U.S. and the epitome of American progressivism.

For this exhibition, the museum acquired Guthrie’s C.F. Martin and Co. guitar, a seamless blend of spruce, mahogany, celluloid, ebony and mother-of-pearl. On its back, a carved inscription reads, “This Machine Kills Fascists.”

“The idea for ‘This Land Is…’ emerged … because the scope and breadth of his voice in terms of his activism and how prolific he was … and thinking about how he reflected on and experienced American land,” Lehtinen said.

Alongside the guitar is a copy of the Declaration of Independence, annotated by John McKesson, secretary of New York’s Fourth Provincial Congress, in the days following July 4, 1776. According to Lehtinen, the two objects were paired as instruments of protest and change.

“We talked to [Guthrie’s] granddaughter Anna Canoni, and she said to us at one point that he used guitars like pens or tools, and that was so appropriate to how we were thinking about its relationship to this document,” she added.

A map of the Butte Community, Gila River Relocation Center drawn by an internee.

(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Japanese flower farmers photographed before, during and after internment

Not far from the Guthrie guitar is a panoramic portrait of the Kuromi family, posing amid a flower farm that stood where Los Feliz Boulevard is now. To its right is a watercolor painting of the Gila River War Relocation Center in Arizona, where many members of the family were forcibly transported to and imprisoned during World War II.

“I was looking at a historic preservation report, and the name was the same as my mechanic in Los Feliz,” Garrett-Davis said. “The next time I went to get my oil changed, I took a printout of that panorama and was going to show it to them and ask, ‘Do you know anything about this? Is this related?’

“I walked into their office, and a copy of that photo had been on their wall for years. In 10 years, I had never noticed it,” he said with a laugh.

After their internment, the Kuromi family returned to their farm in 1945 to find their equipment stolen. The process of regaining access to their land was slow, but they eventually settled back in, and operated the farm until losing their lease in 1961.

‘A Harvest of Death’ and mail from home on the Civil War front

One of the most grotesque displays on view is an albumen print of an 1863 photo titled “A Harvest of Death,” taken by Timothy H. O’Sullivan after the Battle of Gettysburg. Within its frame lies the bodies of fallen soldiers, sprawled out and lifeless on the grass.

“That evocative title signals some of the other things that we have been thinking about, whether it’s looking at gardens or loss … in this case, these are bodies that have been left, and they’re decomposing,” Lehtinen said.

Paired with the print is a letter from a young woman named Harriet Bailey to her uncle on the front lines of the Civil War, containing seeds delicately etched with drawings of a ship, facesand a dog. The two pieces represent a stark contrast in experiences during the same conflict, once again touching upon the theme of hope amid disturbance.

“This is a remnant of home that he’s actually being sent while on the battlefield,” she continued. “So, the joy and lightness to what is an incredibly somber moment in American history.”

“Archiving the Watershed” is a collection of artifacts from the Colorado River assembled by Otis R. “Dock” Marston on display.

(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

The Colorado River, mapped out through an adventurer’s eyes

This display is described as a “tiny slice” of the Huntington’s archive on Otis Reed “Dock” Marston, a historian and river runner who made it his life’s goal to collect information on the Colorado River. According to Garrett-Davis, Marston had around 185 binders full of photographs, often placed on a cut-out map of where they were taken and organized mile-by-mile, from below the U.S.-Mexico border all the way into Utah.

This taps into a focal point of the exhibition: adapting it to a West Coast perspective. In this way, the idea of independence is viewed expansively as it unfolds across time and place.

“The Huntington has a wonderful collection of presidential papers and documents relating to the Colonial era, but we also have materials on California … from the lens of the West,” said Huntington President Karen R. Lawrence.

“We can show the West’s visual culture at the same time that we can show the original copies of the Declaration of Independence … we have a breadth that’s quite rare.”

Artist Noni Olabiisi’s, “Troubled Island” mural on canvas, depicting the struggling of the Haitian revolution.

(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

‘Troubled Island’ and a mirrored struggle

The Haitian Revolution may seem out of place in an exhibition celebrating the U.S., but Haiti was the second independent nation in the Western Hemisphere. Its independence from the French was proclaimed in 1804, just two decades after the American colonies signed the Treaty of Paris.

In the mural “Troubled Island,” Noni Olabisi chronicles the Haitian struggle for independence, including how suffering under French colonists led to the 1791 slave rebellion. The piece was first painted for the William Grant Still Arts Center in West Adams in 2003, referencing an opera of the same name.

The opera was composed by Still with a libretto from the Missouri-born poet, playwright, novelist and social activist Langston Hughes, who connected Haiti’s struggle for freedom to his home country’s.

“We wanted to focus on parts that might seem peripheral but are actually quite central to American history,” Garrett-Davis said.

Three years later, Olabasi would render the same powerful mural on canvas.

KIM Kardashian is flogging her rare designer clobber on her fashion website — but you’ll need a 19-inch waist to wear it.

The reality star, 45, is selling items from her Disney+ series All’s Fair, including a 1995 John Galliano top and jacket for £43,000, and a £1,265 Thierry Mugler suit.

Kim has cinched her 24-26in waist to 19ins for red carpet events such as Met Galas.

And with her reported 43-inch bum many clothes are specially tailored for her shape.

Most items from her All’s Fair wardrobe are marked with a warning to buyers, with one assistant writing next to the Mugler suit: “Pants were altered to fit Kim’s body.”

A dress by the late French designer was also adjusted for the superstar.

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The John Galliano skirt was tweaked to fit her shapely derrière, along with a £1,300 three-piece suit from Patou.

A Christian Dior silk coat was also tailored to fit Kim’s waist — going from a UK size 18 to size six.

Kim’s family have been using the “Kardashian Kloset” website to flog used clothes since 2019.

It’s unknown if money from sales go into the family’s pockets or to charity.

Kim keeps every outfit she’s worn in storage — including her Met Gala designs and even the bridesmaids dress she wore to sister Khloe’s wedding to Lamar Odom in 2009.

She said of her archive: “This is its own time capsule.

“I have every look, every dress, every event.

“I love it, it’s like going down memory lane.”

BRITS are guilty of packing the kitchen sink when going on holiday – but still forget essential items such as their underwear, glasses, contact lenses and wallet.

A study of 2,000 adults found 51 per cent typically pack more than they need for a staycation, with 44 per cent claiming they are ‘overpackers’.

It was found 23 per cent have packed so much they’ve hampered their ability to clearly see out of their car’s back window.

But they admit to often forgetting things like their charger (28 per cent), toiletries (20 per cent) and medication (13 per cent).

Organisation expert, Dilly Carter, has teamed up with Halfords to help staycationers pack smarter and get more out of their car space.

She said: “With no luggage limits, it’s easy to overpack – but a few simple tweaks can make all the difference especially when cramming what seems like every corner of your home into a bag.

“If you are packing for a trip you should think about your zones, putting things next to other bits that make sense, for example keeping all food in one place, and activities next to each other – this will help with quick unloading.

“Some cars aren’t fit to have too much kit packed in them, so it’s worth considering a roof box or bike rack to make sure you have enough room for the essentials.”

As examples of Brits’ overpacking ways, 26 per cent admit to bringing toilet paper with them, 18 per cent bring their own bedding – and 10 per cent will even pack their own spices.

For one in five (20 per cent), packing for a staycation causes them stress, with 67 per cent worrying they may forget something.

Although 52 per cent said the weather is the biggest cause of their packing anxiety because the weather is unpredictable.

On average, it takes Brits 50 minutes to pack their bags for a three-day (two night) staycation – although more than a quarter will take longer than an hour.

When travelling to a staycation 80 per cent will typically get to their destination by car, however 17 per cent will take to the road without carrying out safety checks like tyre pressure, fuel/battery level or washer fluid.

The OnePoll.com study found men will take control of packing the car (54 per cent), checking the car (54 per cent) and unpacking the car (34 per cent).

Whereas women will be in command of booking (55 per cent) and organising supplies (50 per cent).

Paul Ray at Halfords said: “We’ve all been there – wedging a third spare pillow into the back window, driving halfway down the M5, and suddenly realising the phone chargers are still sitting on the kitchen counter.

“With no airport luggage limits, staycations make it incredibly easy to overpack, but shoving the kitchen sink into the boot can actually change how your car handles.

“Teaming up with Dilly is all about helping families cut the holiday packing stress, get organised, and crucially, make sure that extra weight doesn’t compromise their safety on the road this summer.”

BRITS might not know about this short-lived McDonald’s venture that launched in 2023 as it lasted just two years.

Called CosMc’s, the spin-off was a retro space brand by McDonald’s that focussed on ‘otherworldly beverage creations’.

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In 2023, the very first CosMc’s venue opened selling a few food items and lots of speciality drinks that weren’t available in its original McDonald’s restaurants.

It was space-themed and based on an early alien character who visited McDonaldland in a series of adverts in the late 1980s and early 90s.

The first venue to open was a drive-thru in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

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In its first month, the store reportedly had twice the traffic of a regular McDonald’s.

The opening day saw a large queue of customers – with some even being turned away, and police were monitoring the car park.

CosMc’s then opened in four other locations in Texas – Fort Worth, San Antonio and Allen.

The reason it was so popular during its opening was its unique menu.

Apart from a few items from the ‘McDonald’s Universe’ like an Egg McMuffin and McFlurry, all were only available at these restaurants.

Other available food items were the likes of a ‘Creamy Avocado Tomatillo Sandwich’ or a ‘Spicy Queso Sandwich’.

There were also ‘Pretzel Bites’ and ‘McPops’ which are essentially filled donuts – and you could get three for $3.79 (£2.78).

According to McDonald’s, hundreds of thousands of McPops were sold throughout the few years CosMc’s was open.

The spin-off was initially founded to crack the coffee market and mirror the success of other brands like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts.

CosMc’s sold speciality coffees like the ‘Churro Frappe’ and ‘S’mores Cold Brew’ as well as slushies and soft drinks.

The Signature Galactic Boost range were drinks like the ‘Sour Cherry Energy Burst’ and the ‘Blueberry Ginger Boost’.

Across the two years that it was operational, CosMc’s opened at nine locations, all within the US.

Each was aimed at those wanting a quick snack, which is why each was a drive-thru and had no seating areas inside.

Last year it was reported that McDonald’s would be shutting down its CosMc’s chain, with none remaining open as of June 2025.

LEONARDO DiCaprio is facing business woes as the trendy vegan shoe brand he backed continues to haemorrhage millions.

The star’s favoured label has been left relying on cash injections from wealthy investors to keep it afloat.

British shoemaker LØCI, in which Leo is a key investor, makes 100% cruelty-free trainers using recycled bamboo, foam and rubber.

Each £160 pair reuses up to 20 plastic bottles recovered from the Mediterranean and the east coast of Africa.

The brand has proved popular with celebrities including Ben Affleck, Mila Kunis and Eva Longoria, while fellow investor Nicki Minaj has her own range.

But following Leo’s investment, the firm’s finances took a nosedive and it now has just £7,355 listed as “cash at bank and in hand”.

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Newly released accounts for Wild Loci Ltd also show accumulated losses of £2,904,888, while the company owes £931,130 to creditors.

The figures, filed this week, reveal the business is being propped up by investment totalling £5,170,947.

That leaves it with equity of £2,280,760 despite the significant losses.

The company also risks being struck off by Companies House after filing its accounts late for two consecutive years.

It has also been late submitting its annual “confirmation statement”, a legal requirement.

The government website warns: “Not filing your confirmation statements, annual returns or accounts is a criminal offence – and directors or LLP designated members could be personally fined in the criminal courts.”

Currently, the brand is offering dozens of shoes at half price, including the “Origins” trainer, which features a “natural cork and recycled foam insole”.

All of Nicki Minaj’s range is also heavily discounted, including the “Barbie Dangerous” and “Itty Bitty Piggy” sneakers.

At the time of Leonardo DiCaprio’s investment, founder Emmanuel Eribo said: “He’s an absolute star and sees the world the same way we see it. It’s been an absolute blessing having him on the team. You can’t ignore it’s a British brand and he’s betting on it.

“He didn’t need to do this, there’s definitely something in there that is tugging on him.

“If I could say things about Leo, I’d probably use two words: genuine and kind. You can care about the world and still want good things.”

At the time, Leo said he was “proud” to be an investor, adding: “I am proud to be an investor in LØCI, a brand dedicated to minimising its environmental impact, and centred around creating cruelty-free, ethical footwear.”

LØCI have been approached for comment.

A skincare expert has shared which beauty products are likely to cause problems at airport security due to hand luggage liquid rules – and how to avoid any hold-ups

With summer getaways fast approaching, countless holidaymakers are gearing up to travel overseas. As skincare continues to surge in popularity, many will be packing their creams and serums – yet skincare specialists are cautioning that transporting these products can prove more complicated than anticipated.

Experts at Landys Chemist have outlined the key ways skincare items can cause issues at airport security.

Skincare specialist Rhysa Phommachanh explained: “Many travellers are now packing full skincare routines in their hand luggage, but it can be confusing knowing which products are allowed. As a general rule, if a product can be spread, rubbed, or sprayed, it will usually fall under airport liquid restrictions.”

For instance, numerous skincare products nowadays appear as jellies, balms and sticks.

All of these are classified as liquids by airport security, as are sheet masks and eye patches.

Failing to adhere to airport security regulations could result in travel disruptions or having your belongings seized.

To conserve luggage space, travellers sometimes transfer larger items into smaller containers to meet requirements.

Nevertheless, these unidentified containers can prompt queries at security and trigger manual inspections, which can prove time-consuming.

It’s also probable that any pressurised containers such as facial mists, setting sprays or spray sunscreens will require manual examination and slow down security lines.

It is crucial to familiarise yourself with the regulations at each airport you pass through, as updated liquid rules are gradually being introduced across the country.

Restrictions may vary from one airport to another, so ensure you are fully aware of the specific guidelines before you board your flight.

When it comes to skincare, a minimalist approach often yields the best results.

As reported by the Express, Rhysa said: “A more simplified approach tends to work best for long-haul travel.

“Basic essentials such as lip balm, a lightweight moisturiser, or a facial mist are usually more than enough to maintain hydration without overwhelming the skin barrier.”

If you’re planning a cruise holiday this summer, it’s crucial to know the prohibited items list – and one travel expert has shared five things that could be confiscated

Summer is just around the corner, and millions of Britons are busy planning their getaways. Cruises are a wonderful way to explore the world – but if you’re setting sail, it’s vital to know precisely what you can and cannot bring on board.

Packing can be a stressful experience – but knowing what’s permitted and what isn’t puts you one step ahead. Will Sarson, a travel expert with cruise operator Riviera Travel, has revealed the five items you cannot bring aboard a cruise to make your trip that bit smoother, reports the Express.

He said: “When packing for a cruise holiday, it’s important to do your research to understand the list of prohibited items. This can help better planning while packing and help avoid disappointment when items are confiscated.”

His first item to leave behind is alcohol. While not outright banned, many cruise companies have restrictions to prevent passengers bringing their own supply. He said: “Often, travellers are restricted to just a single bottle of wine or champagne – with potential corkage fees for drinking in public spaces.

“With so much alcohol available on board, we recommend leaving the bottles at home to avoid further costs and instead making use of the available liquor found throughout the ship and at varying ports across the world.” His second item to leave at home is your clothes steamer or iron.

Will explained: “Many cruise liners do not allow irons or steamers onboard as they pose a fire hazard. This is an item that constantly catches people out, with travellers forced to part ways with their iron or steamer.

“To avoid disappointment, it’s best to leave these items at home. Many ocean and river cruises have irons or steamers onboard that can be borrowed by guests during their stay.”

Similarly, candles and incense are prohibited owing to the fire risk they present. Cruise personnel will seize these straight away – so it’s advisable to leave them behind.

If you’re fond of your CBD oil, you’re in good company – it’s an extremely popular wellness product for assistance with muscle pain and mental health, but due to its varying legality worldwide, it’s forbidden on cruises. Will stated: “While the product is 100% legal for sale and tender throughout the UK, this is not the case in certain cruise ship stop-off destinations. As a result, the substance is not allowed on board the ship.

His final recommendation may seem entirely self-explanatory, but according to Will, a lot of people don’t realise their pets cannot come with them on their cruise.

He said: ” You’d be surprised at how many people try to gain access to their cruise alongside pets. Domestic animals are typically not allowed on cruises due to the allergy risk and general health and safety aspects that come with allowing cats or dogs on board.”

His final suggestion may appear completely obvious, but according to Will, many people don’t realise their pets cannot accompany them on their cruise.

He stated: “You’d be surprised at how many people try to gain access to their cruise alongside pets. Domestic animals are typically not allowed on cruises due to the allergy risk and general health and safety aspects that come with allowing cats or dogs on board.

“However, animals such as guide dogs are granted access due to the medical assistance they provide. If you’re a pet owner with a cruise holiday booking, it’s best to seek arrangements for your animals, as they generally won’t be allowed to join you on board.”

TUI, easyJet, Jet2 and British Airways hand luggage rules aren’t just about what the airlines will let you bring onboard – passengers are subject to airport rules too

Brits heading on their holidays will want to take note of hand luggage rules – and not just the ones that help you swerve those pesky extra fees.

While many of us fly with different airlines including TUI, easyJet, Jet2 and British Airways, hand luggage rules aren’t just about what these firms allow; they’re also dependent on your airport, destination and other factors. These restrictions are universal across various airlines when departing from the UK, but it’s important to note that there could be different rules at the airport you’re flying back into the UK from.

If you’re found to be carrying a prohibited item in your hand luggage, it could be confiscated at airport security. On the UK government website, it states: “Airport security staff will not let anything through that they consider dangerous – even if it’s normally allowed in hand luggage.”

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Therefore, it’s vital to check any hand luggage restrictions before arriving at the airport to ensure a safe and seamless journey. It’s also important to check the size limits for your carry-on bag before your flight, as they vary by airline.

List of common items banned in hand luggage

Corkscrew: but it is allowed in hold luggage.

Knife (with a sharp or pointed blade and/or blade longer than 6cm) – but it could be allowed in hold luggage depending on the airline.

Large scissors (with blades longer than 6cm) – but it could be allowed in hold luggage depending on the airline. However, you can carry small scissors, such as sewing or embroidery scissors, in your hand luggage, but the blade must be shorter than 6cm.

Fireworks, flares and other pyrotechnics (including party poppers and toy caps): these are also not allowed in hold luggage.

Non-safety matches: and they are not allowed in hold luggage either. However, safety matches are allowed in hand luggage, but not in hold luggage.

Liquids: The majority of UK airports require liquids to be under 100ml; however, some airports have scrapped this rule. This includes: Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London City, Teesside, Belfast International, Belfast City, and Newquay. As rules have evolved, it’s advisable to check directly with the airport for both your outbound and inbound flights, as countries outside the UK may also impose different restrictions. The government outlines that you cannot take frozen liquids, including frozen breast milk, in your hand luggage, but there are some exceptions to the 100ml rule. Passengers are allowed to take “liquid containers up to 2 litres through security at all UK airports” for medical purposes, special dietary requirements, or baby food or milk. Liquids above 100ml purchased at the airport or from duty-free can be taken on board.

Cigarette lighters : they must be placed in a resealable plastic bag in carry-on luggage and kept on you throughout the flight. The government states that passengers may carry only one lighter on board an aircraft, and it cannot be packed in hold luggage.

Niche items banned in hand luggage

Heavy bats and sticks (including baseball, softball and cricket bats): – although they are allowed in hold luggage.

Golf clubs, darts, walking/hiking poles, catapult, crossbow and martial arts equipment (including knuckledusters, clubs, coshes, rice flails and nunchuks): but they are all permitted in hold luggage.

Firearms (including replica firearms): but they could be allowed in hold luggage, so it’s best to check directly with your airline before travel.

Harpoon or spear gun: but they might be allowed in hold luggage, so check directly with your airline before travel.

Work tools: this includes drills, a tool with a blade or shaft longer than 6cm, Stanley knife, saw, screwdriver, hammer, pliers, wrench or spanner, bolt gun or nail gun, crowbar and blowtorch). However, they can be taken in hold luggage.

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