Deck the Halls, for real. The best holiday lights in Cbus!

Maybe this was a tradition in your family, like it was mine...we'd drive around the neighborhood division that had the best holiday light set-up each year. No matter what city you live in, there's always a neighborhood you can pin-point where families raise the bar and go all-out on their Christmas decorations. It's like that movie from a few years ago where two men, who were neighbors, were in perpetual competition to have the brightest, most exciting, spectacularly decorated house during Christmas time. I imagine this sort of thing actually happens.

(courtesy of Getty)

We always drove through this neighborhood when I was a kid, where many of the houses were decorated so well, the families entered competitions and without a doubt, each year, this particular house always won. Their decorations actually moved! They used motors to propel ice-skating penguin and reindeer figurines up and down their roof! Cut-outs made from what was probably wood inhabited the entire front and side yards; even the driveway. At this time, we lived in a state that didn't really have cold weather. Snow was a foreign concept to the people of this town, so getting to see or actually play in snow only came by manufacturing it. This particular family must have bought yards and yards of that fake, fluffly, white fabric that looks like cotton balls and covered every inch of their property with it. That, or they used that fake, spray snow. They took this holiday very seriously. Plus, dozens of people would do drive-bys each day just to see the marvel that was this home turned mini-winter wonderland.

Since then, I have yet to see any holiday home decorating come close, though it is always fun to take an evening drive in search of a house that comes close...

So where in Columbus are some fun holiday-light sightings?

• Upper Arlington (between Tremont and Yorkshire on Gilford Rd.) has some pretty awesome lights

• One street (18 houses) in Pickerington is completely decorated. This is THE street to head over to. Hall Ridge Dr. is the name of the street.

• The Columbus Zoo: this is not a residential example, but the zoo has some of the most amazing lights each year! Typically called ZooLights or WildLights, or something to that effect, the zoo always has intricate lighting exhibits, ice skating and hot-cocoa. The event goes on til Jan. 3rd.  starting at 5 pm and it's free with zoo admission which is $10 for adults and $7 for kids and seniors. (Deal alert: Wendy's is doing coupons for the event so go grab a burger and get yourself a coupon to WildLights while you're at it!)
  


• There's German Villiage's light celebration with carolers, real roasted chestnuts, and more and you can walk or drive around the town to see people's decorations.


• Easton Town Centre, as you could already guess, has beautifuly decorated christmas trees and then too, horse-drawn carriage rides each year.


• In Gahanna, there's Creekside, where all along the creek's edge are lights and lit figurines that are great for the little ones to view. Be aware, you'll have to actually walk around outside to get the full effect so dress warmly and try to go on a warmer evening


• Alum Creek State Park (in Delaware) does a huge light festival that you can drive through so as not to freeze your buns off. It costs $10 Mon. - Thurs., and $15 on weekends. And it goes all the way through to the end of the December!

• The neighborhood of Clifton Mill in Clifton, OH, is lit and decorated from head to toe. This is one not to be missed.

Got more tips on the best neighborhoods for viewing Christmas decorations/lights? Tell me about it!

It's Gala Season!

Fall is Gala Season. I'm excited about this. Maybe this year I'll actually get invited to one. Gala, meaning charity ball; meaning fundraiser; meaning red-carpet event; meaning awards ceremony; meaning VIP soireé; meaning...well you get the point. August through December, though I don't know what it is about these particular months, becomes a time for all kinds of grand events. I guess it's probably the fact that the fall has great weather, and after the summer, people are back in the swing of things etc. and then, the holidays, of course, lends to all kinds of holiday parties.

Typically, the people who get the pleasure of being invited to and attending such event are "important people." Higher-ups, big whigs, heirs and heiresses, socialites, presidents, chairmen, CEOs...so on and so forth..are the privileged few who grace galas. Every once in awhile, a layperson like myself, gets to go an event. But even so, I think it's fun to peruse the "party pics" that magazines like C Magazine, Columbus Monthly and Alive! put up from the events to see if there's any possible chance I might recognize someone. Yes, it does make me feel a little special. And I am sure those people whose pictures are featured feel extra special. My goal, within the next year, is to get invited to at least one gala. So far, I have met my quota for 2008.

Last night was Life Care Alliance/Columbus Cancer Clinic's annual Spirit Celebration with Heather Pick. Heather is an anchor at 10 TV. Sadly, she has aggressive stage-4 cancer. Last year at the event, she was as lively as always, but this year's been tough on her as she's been to the hospital a number of times. Though, you'd never know from the life and the spirit (hence "spirit celebration") of this young wife and mother of two. She has so much energy, cheerfulness and positive attitude. She's a role model to me! Because I volunteer for Life Care Alliance at this event, I was able to attend (this year and last). It was a lot of fun last night; they had great auction items and did a live auction that made a ton of money! For more info on what the organization does and if you want to learn more about Heather Pick and the Heather Pick Spirit Fund, click the link.

(Heather Pick)

But the purpose of this whole post was actually keep a little calendar of the galas and balls and events that are taking place this season. A lot of these can be found in the Columbus Business First newspaper or Alive! magazine. I'll try to find pictures of the events, too.

Wine, Cheese & Transit
@ Home of Bill and Alison Hartman
Hosted by All Aboard Ohio
August 26, 2008
Benefited Ohio transportation
allaboardohio.org

Columbus Food and Wine Affair
@ Franklin Park Conservatory
Hosted by Central Ohio Restaurant Association
September 5, 2008
Benefited WBNS-10 TV, United Way, I Know I Can, Ian Adams Van Heyde Memorial Scholarship Fund, Wish Kids and CORA's Education Fund
foodandwineaffair.com
Pictures from the event below (courtesy of Alive! magazine):
 (L to R) Byron and Francine Williams, Candice Dunn and Tammy Geiger, Nate Barker, Eric and Jamie Timm, Nancy and Joe Cardenas, Angela Pace and Peter Davis.

Golf Outing
@ Ballantrae Golf Course in Dublin
Hosted by Downtown Sertoma Club
September 8, 2008
Benefited the speech and hearing departments at Nationwide Children's Hospital

Bikers for Babies
started @ A.D. Farrows Co. Harley Davidson in Sunbury
September 13, 2008
Benefited the March of Dimes
marchofdimes.com

Reception Honoring Steven and Patricia Gabbe

@ University Residence OSU Pizzuti House

Hosted by University President E. Gordon Gee

September 15, 2008 (invite only)

5:30 to 7 p.m.

Business Attire


Taste the Future
@ Columbus State Community College
September 16, 2008
Benefited CCSC's scholarships and special projects funds
tastethefuture.com

(Megan Brown, Tara Aufderheide, Brent Smith, Jodi Cupples)

(Photos courtesy of Alive! magazine. Last two photos above: L to R, Michelle Rundo and Trish Lackey; Dawon Hawkins and Ana Pinquinelt)

Red Chair Art Affair
@ Columbus Museum of Art
Hosted by MAP Furniture Bank
September 18, 2008
Benefited the MAP Furniture Bank
mapfurniturebank.org

Spirit Celebration with Heather Pick
@ Hilton, Easton
Hosted by Life Care Alliance
September 18, 2008
Benefited the Columbus Cancer Clinic and the Heather Pick Spirit Fund

Night Moves 2008 (5k walk/run)
starting in Brewery District

September 19, 2008

Benefiting March of Dimes
marchofdimesnightmoves.com

Antiques & Gardens Fair
@ Franklin Park Conservatory
September 19-21st, 2008
Benefiting the Franklin Park Conservatory and hosted by the conservatory's Women's Board
Co-chairs: Meredith Tapp and Kathy Rosati
614-645-6402 for more info

7th Annual Leather and Leaves Poker Run
starting @ Quaker Steak & Lube in Polaris
September 21, 2008
Benefiting the Arthritis Foundation
arthritismcride.kintera.org

150th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser
@ Bridgewater Banquet and Conference Center
Hosted by Starr Commonwealth's Hannah Neil Center for Children
September 25, 2008
regonline.com/hannahneilcenter to Register

The Columbus Chamber 85th Annual Clambake

@ the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

September 25, 2008

5 to 7 p.m. is networking

7 to 9 p.m. is Seafood Extravaganza!

$85 for members, $95 for non-members

(check out the Chamber's website "Experience Columbus" to register)

Automaton08 fundraiser
@ Bar of Modern Art (BoMA)
Hosted by Fuse Factory Electronic and Digital Arts Lab
September 26, 2008
7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cost: $10-20

www.thefusefactory.org/Automaton

6th Annual LEON Community Awards Gala

@ Confluence Park Restaurant

September 26, 2008

5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Benefitting the Latino Empowerment Outreach Network

leongroup.org for details and tickets

Herbert and Maxine Block Memorial Lectureship Award 2008

@ Longaberger Alumni House at OSU

Hosted by The James Cancer Hospital

September 28, 2008 (invite only)

Awards Reception at 6:30 p.m., Dinner at 7:30 p.m.

New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix and Family Day
@ Home of Abigail and Les Wexner (1 Classic Drive, New Albany)
September 28, 2008
Benefiting the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence
thenewalbanyclassic.com to get more details

2nd Annual Charity Golf Outing
@ York Golf Club
Hosted by CME Federal Credit Union
September 29, 2008

12:30 p.m. shotgun start
Benefits Get Behind the Badge nonprofit organization

cmefcu.org

Gallery Players 60th Anniversary Celebration
@ Columbus Jewish Community Center
October 12, 2008
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: $25
columbusjcc.org for more info


Key to the Cure Fashion Show and Shop-a-thon
@ Saks 5th Ave, Polaris Fashion Center
Hosted by Life Care Alliance
October 12th, 2008
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A national cancer-awareness event localized to benefit a city's choice cancer foundation. Columbus' event will benefit Life Care Alliance/Columbus Cancer Clinic
Co-chairs: Lynnda Davis, Robin Rose and Reneé Shumate
www.saks.com for more info

Shadowbox's Black Tie or Blue Jeans

@ Shadowbox Cabaret 164 Easton Town Center

Hosted by Shadowbox

October 15, 2008

Benefiting Shadowbox Cabaret comedy sketch-club and theater

www.shadowboxcabaret.com for tickets, times and more info

Business First's Fast 50 Awards luncheon

@ Hyatt Regency

October 16th, 2008

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Keynote speaker is Blane Walter, CEO of inVentiv Health, Inc.

Individual tickets are $55

Books and All That Jazz anniversary gala
@ Riffe Center
Hosted by Ohioana Library Association
October 17, 2008
Benefiting the Ohioana organization and libraries
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: $75
ohioana.org for more info and to buy tickets

6th Annual Autumn Wine Celebration 2008
@ Smith Brother's Hardware Building (580 N. 4th St.)
Hosted by National Center for Adoption Law and Policy
October 17, 2008
Benefiting the NCALP organization
Must be 21 to attend
ncalp.org

Ohioana Day Awards Ceremony luncheon
@ Statehouse
Hosted by Ohioana
October 18, 2008
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Benefiting the organization and libraries
Cost: $50
ohioana.org

"Glo" Annual Up on the Roof gala

@ OSU French Field House

Hosted by Up on the Roof

October 18, 2008 (invite only)

Black Tie

6:30 p.m.

Benefiting OSU's The James Cancer Hospital, Comprehensive Cancer Center, and The Power to Change Lives

Cost: $100 per person, plus donations

Chairs: Janis and Michael Bloch, Libby and Rick Germain, and Sarah Benson (NetJets is honorary chair)

jamesline.com for more info

2008 Columbus Signature Chef Dinner and Auction

@ Aladdin Shrine Center

Hosted by March of Dimes Ohio Chapter

October 20, 2008

5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Benefiting the March of Dimes

Cost: $100 for individual tickets, $1,500 for a table

2008 Annual Peacemaker Awards luncheon
@ Hyatt Regency Ballroom
Hosted by Choices
October 22, 2008

Noon to 1:15 p.m.

Keynote Speaker to be actor Victor Rivers
call Beth for more info 614-224-7200

Once Upon A Night 2008 gala
@ Hilton, Easton
Hosted by Easton Community Foundation

November 1, 2008 (invite only)

6 p.m.

Black Tie
Benefiting Nationwide Children's Hospital

10th Annual Come Home for the Holidays
@ Brookside Golf and Country Club
Hosted by and benefiting the Homeless Families Foundation
November 7, 2008
6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
homeslessfamiliesfoundation.org to buy tickets, enter silent auction items and more info

Culinary Capers XV
@ Bridgewater Banquet and Conference Center
Hosted by ProMusica Sustaining Board
November 11, 2008
Benefits ProMusica Chamber Orchestra
call 614-457-9597 for more info and to order tickets

2008 Bid & Benefit Kids in Our Community dinner

@ The Swim and Racquet Club

Hosted by TriVillage Mentor League

November 14, 2008

7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters and other mentorship programs

visit mentorleague.org for more information

2008 Health Leadership Awards luncheon

@ The Blackwell, Tuttle Park

Hosted by March of Dimes Ohio Chapter

November 19, 2008

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Benefits the MoD.

Cost: $50 for individual ticket, $500 for table

YWCA's Woman to Woman 2008
@ Aladdin Shrine Center
November 29, 2008
Benefits the YWCA
call 614-627-1224 or go to ywca.org and click on link for Columbus office to get to their site