Countdown to Pelotonia 10

Pelotonia 10 begins in less than 24 hours!

This is a long-awaited cycling event in Columbus that lasts for two days (8/20 - 8/22) and 180 miles and is a fundraiser benefitting Ohio State's The James Cancer Hospital (one of the nation's top hospitals of its class).

Over 4,000 bicycle riders from all over Ohio and dozens of other states, even some other countries like Canada and China, participate by riding on various tours, or paths of their choice -- and you can go any speed you want (something I didn't know, because I would have signed up for Pelotonia then)! Or you even can do a virtual ride. The full length biking route goes from Columbus (OSU) all the way to Athens, OH on the campus of Ohio University. See the tour map below.

If you don't want to do either of those options, it's always fun to give to the cause for free by volunteering your time. Volunteer registration has already ended, but keep this in mind for 2011.

The Pelotonia kick-off party/ceremony will be held tonight, Aug. 20 from 3 pm to 9 pm on the Chemical Abstracts Services grounds , 2540 Olentangy River Rd., across from the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, which includes a complementary dinner buffet for participants. Counting Crows will be performing, as well as Augustana, and country music star Pat Green will be performing on August 21.

Last year, at our city's first-ever Pelotonia, none-other than Lance Armstrong was the honorary rider and master of ceremonies. This fundraising event was brought to Columbus in 2008 by Dr. Michael Caligiuri, director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (he's kind of a big deal).

(A photo from last year's event)

Some key corporate sponsors this year include, Huntington Bank, Limited Brands and Bob Evans (love love love their yummy breakfasts). This year's fundraising goal is $40 million!

Here's the official Pelotonia blog.

Photo's courtesy of pelotonia.org, jamesline.com, columbuslocalnews.com

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Bendel is Back!

The legendary Henri Bendel store is back with a bang at Easton Town Centre after months of renovations.

The store has been remodeled to look like the New York City flagship store (seen above on 5th Ave), it's one of Limited Brands' concepts, and it has changed it's stripes. Literally and figuratively.

The Easton store went from being a type of upscale Barneys/Neiman Marcus/Bergdorf Goodman-competition department store, like the flagship store is, to centering itself on the legacy of the Henri Bendel brand. The brand has been in existence and has been a mainstay in Manhattan since 1895! Lex Wexner and his company took the store back to basics and made this Columbus location store all about HB. Now, instead of carrying make-up and small leather goods and purses of other high-end companies like Kooba and Chanel, the store is all about Henri Bendel.

Though it looks like a multi-story building on the outside, the store is actually quite small, but it's just right for this Ohio market. And I believe that's one of the key reasons why Limited changed things within Henri Bendel. The Columbus/Midwest market is very unique and different from the East-Coast, New York market, so by making the store soley about the HB brand, it brought Bendel back to its roots, its authentic concept and it honors the 100+ year company. Henri Bendel is know for showcasing leather products with its signature brown and beige stripe pattern. They did a Bendel stripe redeaux, to make their purses, luggage, wallets and passport holders. It's newer and appeals to a younger group of consumers, as well as competes with the hundreds of other companies that are creating and mass-producing their own signature patterns a la the great fashion house of Louis Vuitton.

In the store there were fun things like:

silk scarves

suitcases

 

purses and totes

dog leashes, colors and sweaters

wallets

makeup bags

jewelry

 

candles

teapots and cookie jars

keychains

travel items like passport holders, luggage and luggage tags

leather journals

rubber rain boots (Wellies)

 

gourmet chocolates and other sweets

even matches and Swarovski-crystal encrusted Zippo lighters and other items

...basically lots of gifty items. On my wish list:

I REALLY want this dog carrier....so chic in the signature Bendel stripe. It's only about $400 (rolls eyes). Ahhhh wishful thinking. And that snazzy tote-handbag....LOVES. It's also a pretty penny. Maybe once this economy turns around, I'll be able to save up some money and buy one of these guys.

So be sure to stop by the store next time you're at Easton, it's right next to the Tiffany's they are building. And believe me, I will blog about Tiffany's the day it opens at Easton. It's about time we got the luxury jeweler over here!