Harmony Project Concert is May 12, 2011 Come See Us!

YES I'M PUTTING IN A PLUG FOR MY CHOIR GROUP!

That's because the Harmony Project is one of the most awe-inspiring, talent-filled, benevolent, ecclectic, organic, melting pots of a non-profit organization that we have here in the city.

Columbus is SUPER lucky to be the parent town of this organization which is only two years old, and was formed by David Brown after he moved from New York to here and fell in love with all of us Cbusers.

David Brown, Director and Creator

There's Democrats and Republicans alongside a Judge, a Rabbi and a Greek-Orthodox Priest, along side teenagers and people with special needs, and everything in-between!

The 150+ member choir, which features singers (and non-singers) of every creed, color and class, performs once a season and the concert is NEXT Thursday May 12th, 2011 at the Columbus Convention Center at 7:30 pm.

You must hurry and get tickets. This show WILL sell out.

Tickets are $25 general, $50 for VIP. You buy them at the Harmony Project box office on their website.

(Photo courtesy: Harmonyproject.com)

People cannot stop raving about the organization, and there is a waiting list to get in the choir! The thing is, we are not just about singing. You need not have talent to be in the choir. You simple must want to "serve" and "share," which is our motto: Sing, Serve, Share. We do community service projects as a group and raise money to end homelessness, purchase toys for children during the holidays and fund a local farmer's market.

Oh yes, and by the way, even if you can't come you can donate to the cause on the website. We'll take $5, $10, $15...whatever you can give!

Faces of the Harmony Project from The Harmony Project on Vimeo.

Because I Sing (promo) from The Harmony Project on Vimeo.

To learn more about Harmony Project, which I am a member of you can browse any of these links or watch the videos:

Dispatch article : http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2010/05/24/spirited-voices.html

Alive magazine article: http://www.columbusalive.com/live/content/features/stories/2010/05/20/artscape-the-harmony-project.html

http://www.snponline.com/articles/2009/12/04/multiple_papers/arts/allharmony_20091204_1005am_1.txt

http://www.columbusarts.com/orgs/6541-harmony-project/

A 45% Increase in Young Professionals in Cbus

Based on 2010 Census data, Columbus (the actual city) saw a 45% increase in the number of young professionals that reside here.

That's great news! We are growing as a city, and what's more this shows we're a city that's very attractive to the 20- through 30-something demographic. Specifically, YPs are choosing to inhabit the more urban areas of Columbus, and this helps to keep the city young, vibrant, innovative and attractive to businesses and potential residents alike.

Check out Columbus Underground's article after the jump.

Meanwhile, Columbus metro jumped back to its rank of #15 largest city in the United States. More on that on Columbus Underground as well.

J.C. Penney to close its outlet store in East Columbus

Do I sense a sale coming on?!

The outlet store that J.C. Penney operated here in the Columbus area, specifically in Reynoldsburg off of I-70 and Brice Rd., already had astonishingly low prices and great deals, especially on home furnishings. Now that they'll be closing their doors, will there be a big merchandise blow out?

I'll do some more investigating and add more based on what I hear.

Believe me, you'll want to be there if they have a store-closing sale. I'm always pleasantly surprised by what I find at Penney's...they actually have a lot of cute stuff for great prices. Their home goods lines are not at all shabby.


J.C. Penney to close outlet stores, consolidate call-center operations


Stay posted.

I Love My: Gym

I Love My Gym!

There's a few reasons why I love Planet Fitness.

First, and most important -- the price! They really have a great leg-up on the competition (the Urban Actives and Lifestyle Fitnesses of the city) because they only charge $10 a month!!! That's it. And you get just as much from this gym, as you would at any other gym with the most basic plan. You can go for the $20 plan, and that adds on tanning to your membership, as well as use of the massage chairs in the relaxation room. Everyone gets a bumper sticker, pen and t-shirt upon signing a contract. However, if you sign up for the basic membership, you can only work out at the club you signed with. But having a "Black Card" membership (the $20 one) allows you to work out at the other locations.

But not only is the price right, their contracts are pretty much not-binding whatsoever. You can cancel whenever you want. You just have to either come in and do it, or submit something in writing. No penalties, fees, etc. No strings attached. There is an annual fee of, I believe, $29 bucks. But, because you are able to quit the membership at any time, you could very well avoid that annual cost all together by canceling your membership prior to having been a member there for a year.

I go to the Clintonville location, right off of Indianola nearest the North Broadway intersection. It's a tucked away, remote location...but for the price, who cares?! Dublin is where the other Planet Fitness is located.

The gym is always hoppin'. Peak hours are right after work, of course, so that's one thing to remember if you join. It's best to try and get there around the 7 pm hour, if you're a person like me who works out in the evenings. That way you're most likely to get use of the machine of your choice.

Second, I love the club's motto and how they draw in their core customers. They consider their gym a "no judgment zone." That's a very inclusive message, and good marketing to boot. There is a large mixture of types of people who use Planet Fitness. You have the former jocks and super buff guys who live in the gym and always seem to be training for something, but you also have the novices who've never used a stair-stepper before (I actually witnessed this). There's personal trainers, tatted-up rockers and indy/emo/hipsters all working out together as one big happy family. It's refreshing to see.

They have those awesome free floating elliptical-like machines (above). 
It's my favorite one to use.

Photos courtesy of planetfitness.com

Third, Planet Fitness has some non-traditional ways of catering to their members...this is through constant and never-ending offerings of candy. They carry Tootsie Rolls and the purple grape-flavored, fruity Tootsie Rolls, in little bowls, placed around the facility. (Purple is because that's the company's color, along with yellow). Candy, one might think, defeats the purpose of a "gym." They feed you sugar while you're on the stationary bike?! Well, if you are able to be self-disciplined and/or live in moderation, then you can eat a couple of the pieces of candy each time you come, and not feel bad about it. 

Also, at the Clintonville spot, on the first Monday night of each month, they host a Pizza Party with free pizza for gym-goers. Also seems contradictory, and it is, but I don't pass up free pizza. Ever. Even if I have to stay an extra 30 minutes more to work it off.

You can sign up online and pay your dues online, as well as transfer a membership to another location. Several states have PFs, as they are a franchise. It only costs a one-time fee of $10 to start your membership.

Note: The only things that I wish were different about PF is...there's not too many locations around Columbus. And they do not offer any kinds of classes, like kick-boxing, Zumba, spinning or otherwise. Maybe soon they'll adopt that idea.

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I Got Towed

WARNING:

Do not park in the parking lot of the campus McDonald's on High St. and 17th, unless you really are going to McDonald's.

This evening, I made the mistake of parking in that lot to run to Subway. Now, there is a HUGE sign that warns people will be towed if they leave their vehicle in that lot and are not patronizing McDonald's -- in plain English -- and it clearly says enforced 24 hours a day.

It was my own fault, of course I know this, because I chose to ignore the sign. I decided to go on past experience, which told me that I wouldn't get towed since it had never happened before. Wrong!

Weird thing is, my gut told me not to park there at that moment. For some reason, I just had a feeling I'd get towed. It might be because I saw there was a guy sitting in a parked suburban SUV in the corner of the lot. I thought that was a little odd, and had never seen anyone doing that before in that parking lot. But the dude was yakking on his cell, so I thought he was just waiting for someone to come out of the McDonald's. Strangely, I even had a thought for a split second, that he might be someone associated with the towing company, like a spy or something. That seemed a bit too paranoid, so I ignored that instinct.

Plus, I reasoned that it wouldn't take very long to get my subs...how would a tow truck find my car, hook it up and tow it all in that short of a time frame, I figrued? Right? No. In the time it takes to make a couple of subs at Subway, and run to the ATM two doors down, your car can get towed.

But the ironic thing about this was that when I came back to discover my car was gone, the guy sitting in the dark, parked car walked over and told me my car was towed, why it was towed, and that he worked for CamCar, the towing company. He even said he'd give me a ride to go get my car (creepy) if I needed it. He WAS a towing company spy! The sign wasn't lying when it said "enforced 24 hours a day." Take heed folks, unless you feel like throwing $140 down the drain just like that.

Photo courtesy of Eric Faller, ericfaller.com (and that is not my car or my neighborhood, btw), and sign photo is courtesy of signsaustin.com

One of our own featured on Apartment Therapy!

One of my favorite blogs in the world, Apartment Therapy, featured a couple who lives here in Columbus on their blog this past week, the week of August 23-27.

This is super exciting because it showcasing some of the amazing homes, interior design and decorating that we have to offer here in the Columbus metro area.

Apartment Therapy does a series called House Tours, where they go and tour people's homes (obviously). Thing is, the blog started off by mainly touring uber-cool apartments, lofts, studios, bunaglows, cottages, condos, and actual houses (yes, the name of the blog conjures thoughts of all things "apartment," but its about home-life in general whether you own or rent) in urban areas only found in or around large cities. Homes in LA, Boston and Washington DC, for example, were getting all the love.

Well, thankfully, Mary and Eric, a couple who reside in Harrison West got to show off their cozy, eclectic, masculine-vintage crib to the world. According to the article, Mary is an executive at North Market (so you already know her house is probably gonna be pretty frickin' awesome, right?), and Harrison West is this up-and-coming area of central Columbus, right near downtown, near The Short North and Victorian Village.

I, for one, am quite proud.

Here's a preview of the House Tour -- Mary & Eric's Harrison West Transformation. You gotta head on over to their blog to see the full posting.

Photos courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com

Goodbye Sugar, Hello Saloon

So back in July, Sugar Bar down on Park St. in Arena District closed down...temporarily. It was said that the owners The CGS Group (also owners of Park Street Patio, Cantina, The Social and the former Sugar Bar) shut the place down to revamp it.


But The CGS Group is ready to reveal their newest concept with the grand opening of Park Street Saloon. This new piano bar will open September 16, 2010! Oh, you know I'll be there, and I'll post again with a review.

It makes sense because these guys, Corso, Gallicchio and Swanson, are known to reinvent their night spots every so often. Cantina would be the most recent example of this (it just opened in May 2010 and was previously known as Spice).

Talent for the new bar has already been booked. And they are hiring, too. Bartenders, servers, barbacks, security, entertainers/musicians etc., are being recruited.

Photos courtesy of thecgsgroup.com. (Sorry for the photo quality, I don't have a hi-res version)

Nitelife Review: Suite 143

There's a new name to add to your short list of night spots here in The Bus.

Suite 143, a new, swanky bar and lounge downtown in the red-brick district, shows us a "suite" time.

The bar/lounge had it's grand opening in the beginning of this month. I had to the privilege of enjoying happy hour at the bar on their first Wednesday night in business, and definitely had a good time. (Loved their menu of specialty martinis and mixed drinks...particularly one called "The Chris Brown").

The curb appeal of this club can be deceiving at 303 S. 4th Street (near Main St.), in that the front door is tucked away, so you have to make sure you keep your eye out for the modern, rought-iron gate with the logo that, once you've entered it, leads you through a bricked hallway between two buildings.

As I was walking underneath iron fire escapes, I couldn't help but feel transported to a place like Chicago or New York -- the feeling was very urban. Once I was inside, I was greeted with a cool, blue atmosphere and a to-die-for chandelier. The interior design for the club was nicely done; there's a great use of color and lighting. The bar itself is front and center in the building, so it's a very cocktail-hour type place.

One thing I will say is that I was a little surprised by the size of the bar/lounge. It is a little on the small side. But that doesn't mean a thing, because if your M.O. is swaying to today's hottest lounge grooves, catching up with friends over signature mixed drinks or wine in an intimate space, then you will find yourself here often, I'm certain.

The size of the place could only become a problem in that it might inhibit large numbers of people from being able to hang out there, or have a party, for example. There isn't much of a dance floor either, so this wouldn't be the place to come if you're really trying to cut a rug.

Mayor Michael Coleman stepped out, gracing Suite 143 on its opening night, as well as local celebrity, Power 107.5FM radio DJ and co-host of Power Morning Crew, Misty Jordan (pictured below). President and CEO of the Columbus Urban League, Eddie Harrell and his wife were also there to be one of the first few to test out the new lounge (not pictured).

Since it's opening, the place grows in popularity with each passing week. If you ask me, I'd definitely recommend this place.

Photos courtesy of Kelsey Crenshaw of Chameleon Photo & Deisgn, and C. Wise Entertainment.

Best Kept Secrets of Columbus: Resch's Bakery

I had the privilege tasting something scrumptious the other day. And it was from one of Columbus' Best Kept Secrets...Resch's Bakery!

So someone brought a humongous box of their freshly baked donuts one morning and usually I try to be good, and not eat donuts of any kind -- particularly huge twisty ones -- oh, but something told me to sample this special treat. HEAVEN!!!!

Forget Krispy Kreme, honestly. Resch's donuts take the cake.

I didn't have just one...I had two! (There's been many trips to the running track since that morning, I assure you). But I do not regret it one bit. I'd have another, and another, and another...

Columbus really has something to be grateful for in Resch's Bakery. Think about it, when was the last time you went to a bakery, I mean an old-fashioned, free-standing, honest-to-goodness bakery? Resch's is one of the few true, tasty, reliable bakeries left in times like these when everyone runs straight to Krogers, Wal-Marts and Costcos. And there's nothing wrong with that, but real bakeries have since slowly been dropping off the map.

Speaking of maps, Resch's Bakery is on 4061 East Livingston Ave, 43227, and you can find more pertinent info about it at yelp.com, where dozens of people have given rave reviews of this place. I hear their rolls and cakes are amazing as well.

O H I O

Football Season, baby! Whoooo! O-H...

You know what comes next.

Students are starting to get their allotted tickets, I've heard. So, here it is, in case you haven't already been poring over it, the 2010 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Schedule.

9-2-2010   Home game against Marshall    kick-off @ 7:30 pm  --first game of the season is on a Thursday (showing on Big Ten Network)

9-11-2010    Home game against Univ. of Miami (yes, the Florida one)    kick off @ 3:40 pm   (showing on ESPN) -- this game is going to be awesome!

9-18-2010    Home game against Ohio Univ.    kick off @ 12:00 pm    (showing on Big Ten Network)

9-25-2010  Home game against Eastern Michigan   kick off@ 3:30 pm   (showing on ABC)

10-02-2010  Away game against Illinois   kick off @ 12:00 pm      (showing on Big Ten Network)

10-09-2010  Home game against Indiana   kick off @ 12:00 pm     (showing on ESPN)

10-16-2010  Away game against Wisconsin  kick off @ 7:15 pm   (showing on ESPN)

10-23-2010  Home game against Purdue   kick off @ 12:00 pm   (HOMECOMING GAME)

10-30-2010  Away game against Minnesota    kick off @ 8:00 pm   (showing on ABC and ESPN)

11-13-2010  Home game against Penn State    kick off TBA

11-20-2010  Away game against Iowa   kick off TBA

11-27-2010  Home game against (BOOOO) Michigan   kick off TBA -- hey, it's a home game! Madness shall ensue.

And you may not have known this, but this year OSU has lengthened their football schedule, so we'll get to enjoy the Buckeyes well into the month of November, just as many other universities do. Plus, I'll update this as more of the kick off times are released, so check back.

OSU 2010 Football Roster

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