Catch the BUS

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

2011-05-06T19:04:00.001-04:00

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

2011-04-04T14:47:00.000-04:00

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

2011-01-24T10:09:00.002-05:00

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

2010-11-24T01:05:00.000-05:00

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.

I Got Towed

2010-09-12T23:08:00.004-04:00

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!

2010-08-30T00:05:00.001-04:00

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

2010-08-29T13:45:00.002-04:00

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

2010-08-27T01:47:00.002-04:00

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

2010-08-23T23:35:00.001-04:00

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

2010-08-21T12:00:00.015-04:00

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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Countdown to Pelotonia 10

2010-08-20T13:38:00.002-04:00

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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President Obama Will Be in Columbus Today!

2010-08-18T10:16:00.001-04:00

This morning, President Obama will be back in The Bus apparently to have a "backyard chat," as well as rally behind incumbent governor nominee Ted Strickland -- literally, it will be "in the backyard of an as-yet undisclosed family in Clintonville," according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The Dispatch has the name and address of the family who'll be hosting: The Weithman family who live at 156 E. Kanawha Ave. It will be here that he discusses the state of our economy in the way of jobs or lack of them, and what's next in our plans for the nation and for the Central Ohio area to lower unemployment.

Here's a round-up of news sources with stories, and possibly, editorial comments included...

Obama Arrives in Columbus -- The Columbus Dispatch (he came in yesterday and there was a huge crowd at the airport waiting for him)

Obama to Drop By Clintonville -- The Columbus Dispatch

President Obama's Schedule Today -- CBS

Obama Takes Jobs Push to Ohio -- CNN

President Obama Official Schedule and Guidance -- Chicago Sun Times

Obama Engaging in Kitchen-Table Politics in Ohio -- AP

An article from The Cleveland Plain Dealer

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Five Guys Burgers and Fries is #1 in the Nation

2010-08-17T22:09:00.023-04:00

So you probably already predicted this would happen, as I did. Five Guys Burgers and Fries jumped up and over In-N-Out Burger, becoming the nations #1 burger chain.

Coming from as close of an un-biased place as possible, Five Guys is super delicious, and not only that but deserves to be in the number one spot, but I also agree and decided long ago, when I first tasted this scrump-didlee-umptious freshly made burgers and fries (I'll have some malt vinegar with that too, please), that Five Guys IS BETTER than In-N-Out Burger. It would only be a matter of time before they surpassed the West Coast-centric franchise. Five Guys had the right idea by choosing to be a nation-wide company, rather than snubbing any locale that isn't on a certain side of the Mississippi River.

And I can say which is better, because I've had both types. I grew up on In-N-Out, and was a fan only because it's almost sacrilege to live in the western part of our country and not like their burgers. Honestly, though, they were always just "okay," I thought. Contrary to most, I hated their "secret sauce" and their french fries, while cut straight from the potato like Five Guys', they seemed too thin, almost like those shoe-string type fries. Five Guys' fries are so much more hearty.

So Columbus finally got its Five Guys. We now have 5 total, one is off of Polaris Parkway and Cleveland Ave, one on campus, on High Street and 11th, across from the Gateway. There's one in Dublin on Hospital Dr., and one on Stringtown Rd in Grove City, and lastly, on W. 5th Ave. in Grandview. And when the Guys finally brought the franchise to The Bus, the restaurants started to sprouted up everywhere like mushrooms in a damp, mossy forest. Plus, I think some locations of Five Guys delivers, and/or you can all ahead to place an order.

This picture looks gooood, huh? Go get one!

Giant World Cup Watch Parties at Crew Stadium

2010-06-25T16:08:00.010-04:00

And the best part is...it's free!!!

I couldn't believe this guys. This entire time, so far, the Columbus Crew Stadium has been the host of huge, free watch parties for all 2010 FIFA World Cup games. They're showing the games on giant TV screens, that are HD, of course. Be sure to wear your favorite soccer (better known as futbol) team's jersey, scarves, cat-in-the-hat hats and get rowdy about it.

Here's the website with the schedule after the jump. This would be a great place to watch the USA vs. Ghana game at 2:30 pm tomorrow, on Saturday, June 26. Admission, is free and parking, too.

See, there's plenty of cheap fun to be had in our city.

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Why is Victorian Village Smelly?

2010-06-21T12:54:00.001-04:00

This is a rant post. Sorry in advance.

I was running around Goodale Park the other day, with my dog. I usually park in somewhere in the Victorian Village like off of 2nd St. or Highland or Hunter, for example.

This day was especially muggy and hot, hot, hot; plus there was no breeze whatsoever. So, it's understandable that when you've got those conditions scents of all kind mingle, fester and remain static in the air.

But for some reason, in the Victorian Village, the sanitation system is not up to par. The entire surrounding blocks of where I was running smelled nauseating and like pure garbage. Vic Village is such a cute area of Columbus, it stinks...pun intended...that a person new to Columbus might just happen to walk around the area and be completely turned off of the Village, nevermind how charming the area is, simply due to the fact that the stench coming up from the sewers was overwhelming.

There's goign to be many more hot days in Ohio this summer no doubt. Is this something we can expect on the regular. Eeeewwwww. Does the city know how stinky it is over there? And with Com Fest here this weekend, and all kinds of people and the various smells that can bring along with food trucks and pets, like dogs, mixing the smells together with the trash cans...

I'm going to Com Fest, so hopefully it won't be so bad (and so humid). That'll will be a post of its own though. Stay tuned.

(pictures courtesy of SF Chronicle newspaper and justmy002worth.blogspot.com)

The Party is Over for Martini Park

2010-06-04T19:27:00.010-04:00

On the way to work early the week of May 31st, I faintly heard the guys on WNCI 97.9 mention something about Martini Park closing.

I disregarded it as bunk, because it didn't make sense that a place as hoppin' as Martini Park would slam-shut their doors, pack up and flee the Easton Towne Center scene just like that (finger-snap).

Oh, but they did. And yes, Jimmy and Dave were right, though Martini Park wasn't "closing," they had ALREADY closed. It literally seemed to happen over night.

And it's a shame because the place (which uses the slogan "a playground for grownups") attracted an extremely age-diverse crowd, but really hit a sweet spot in the market for the "grown folks" -- the 30+ with kids set. And that's because very, very few night spots venture into that niche, so it was ripe for the taking.

Think about it, 1) just because you are married with (or without) children doesn't mean you shouldn't get to enjoy some weekend nights here and there 2) if this cohort does decide to head out for a night on the town, they most likely want to be around other individuals in the same phase of life as them...no one wants to feel like a senior-citizen creeper who looks as though they're trying to relive their glory-days amongst people the same age as their kids. It's just as awkward for them as it is for the 20 somethings. And 3) if you are of the younger age group, you know you too will want to break out of the house every now and again, later on in life, and not have to feel like your social life is over just because you're 42. Plus, this bar/club was in the 'burbs...where most of that exact demographic lives.

Oddly, the Chicago location of this (I'm just now finding out--is a chain) bar has just as suddenly closed its doors. Martini Park had only been in Columbus since late 2008, and back when they came, the original location in Plano, TX disappeared?! My guess is, it has something to do with the chain (and its management) and nothing to do with Columbus, Easton or lack of business, because, as I said, from what I have heard, they always had people there for the food, drink specials, special events like costume parties and bachelorette shindigs, and most of all for the variety of live music and dancing.

Here's what ColumbusUnderground.com has on the story.

So now, one of the key hot spots for the 30+ niche is gone. So where will all the grown folks go? Hey--that's a business venture right there.

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Buzz Words to Live By

2010-05-06T18:26:00.010-04:00

So the other day a friend of mine and I were talking about "buzz words," -- can't remember how we got on the subject exactly, but we agreed that there are certain words used, primarily in corporate business culture that, for whatever reason at any given time, they are the "it" words to say.

My friend hears these all the time, and he's not even at a Fortune 500 yet, he's at The Ohio State University Fisher School of Business, so we know there's plenty more coming his way, and pretty soon he'll be spewing corporate jargon like the rest of us yuppies.

I currently happen to work for a Fortune 500 company here in Columbus and decided to document the growing list of the currently hot business terms in circulation as of May 2010, after sitting through a presentation today it seemed that some of these words were used ad nauseum.

Toss any of these words around (extra points if you use these at least once an hour -- trust me, bosses love this stuff) and you will instantly seem more credible, smarter, one to be taken seriously, and you might even get a promotion or raise. (Note: Catch the Bus cannot be held responsible for any promotions, raises and/or other career advancements withheld despite use of said buzz words).

Scope
Robust
Value Proposition
Insights
Strategy
Pipeline
Efficacy
Analytic
Economies of scale
Methodology
Blue Chip
Leverage
Metrics
Innovation
Core
Market share
Bottom line
Align/Aligned
Unprecedented
Supply chain
Level-Set
Greens Fees
Stakeholders
Deeper dive
Bottleneck

And as always, GIVE US SOME MORE examples! I'm dying to hear what word your boss has been stuck on for the past three months. I'll add to this list as well, as I think of them.

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Ohio Passes Issue 3 (finally!)

2009-11-04T11:29:00.004-05:00

Ohio's gonna be getting some casinos!

This is an GREAT thing...and I'll tell you why:

5th time’s a charm for casinos - Business First of Columbus:

C Magazine

2009-02-06T22:26:00.006-05:00

Wow, sorry guys, I've been busy lately. I know that's everyone's story, so I promised I'd never use that as an excuse not to blog. They'll just end up being fewer in between for a while. Hey, times are tough so you gotta stay on your hustle.

Also, there's been some family issues I've had going on. My little sister was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes (juvenile). She'll have a strict regimen of four shots daily plus multiple sugar-level checks...yeah, you never realize how much diabetic people have to go through until you are close to someone who has this condition. Anyway, I've gotten lots of well wishes from friends and family. My sister is in a much better condition now, she's back to her smiley self.

On a completely separate and happy note:

C Magazine finally made a workable website that's pretty good so far. And it will only get better and more comprehensive since this is the Beta version.

I've been waiting for this moment for awhile.

You need to check it out.

www.columbusmag.com

You might even see pictures of yourself on there! That's my favorite part...the Paparazzi pictures. They have pictures loaded all the way back from 2007 so you can browse and see if you can spot any of your fellow Columbus Must Knows.

And BTW, you can pick up a monthly copy of C Magazine, FOR FREE, wherever you see a distribution stand. (For example, you can get 'em at WG Grinders in Grandview or a Bodega restaurant on High St. in Short North).

2009 Columbus Concert Schedule

2009-01-05T22:00:00.037-05:00

Back when I couldn't decide what I wanted for Christmas...something I still haven't decided, I had the brief idea to ask for some concert tickets.

That led me to check and see which musical acts that I liked, if any, would making their way to Columbus this year. Typically, we see big acts, such as Jay-Z (just as an example) will go to either Cincinnati or Cleveland, but they'll skip right past Cbus. They figure we'll want to drive four hours to see a concert if we really call ourselves a true fan.

Well now at least many of the concert schedules are set, at least up until the summer begins, I can see who'll be here. Though I opted not for concert tickets.

I give you a condensed (and to-be-updated throughout the year) schedule of the best music acts coming to our city in 2009.

Hells Bells

January 16, 7 pm

@ Newport Music Hall

George Clinton & the Parliament Funkadelic

January 16, 7:30 pm

@ Lifestyle Communities Pavilion (The LC)

Lil' Wayne (with T. Paine, Keyshia Coles and others)

January 17, 7 pm

@ Schottenstein Center/Value City Arena

Girl Talk

January 17, 7 pm

@Newport Music Hall

Ballas Hough Band

January 18, 8 pm

@ The Basement

Disco Biscuits

January 21, 8 pm

@ Newport Music Hall

Cursive

January 21, 8 pm

@ The Summit

Les Yeux Noirs

January 22, 8 pm

@ The Fawcett Center

David Allan Coe

January 23, 5:30 pm

@ Screamin' Willies Saloon

Band members from Thrice, Saves the Day and the Get Up Kids and more

January 23, 7 pm

@ The Basement

The Wailers

January 24, 7:30 pm

@ The LC

Lambchop

January 25, 8 pm

@ The Wexner Center for the Arts

Kings of Leon

January 27, 7 pm

@ The LC

Jewel

January 28, 8 pm

@ Midland Theater (in Newark)

Old Crow Medicine Show

January 29, 7:30 pm

@ Newport Music Hall

T.I. (with Trey Songz)

January 30, 6:30 pm

@ Veteran's Memorial Auditorium

Big Head Todd and the Monsters

February 2, 7 pm

@ Newport Music Hall

Antony and the Johnsons

February 4, 8 pm

@ Southern Theater

Jon Hassell and Maarifa Street

February 5, 8 pm

@ The Wexner Center

Ludo

February 7, 7 pm

@ The Basement

Bob Marley Tribute

February 7, 9 pm

@King Arts Complex

Los Campesinos

February 11, 9 pm

@ Mershon Auditorium

DJ Benny Bennasi

February 11, 9 pm

@ BoMA

Marah

February 11, 9 pm

@ Circus

Katie Reider

February 14, 6 pm

@ The LC

Matt Wertz

February 14, 7 pm

@ The Basement

Times New Viking

February 14, 9 pm

@ Mershon Auditorium

Brett Dennen

February 20, 8 pm

@ The Basement

Ben Folds

February 21, 7 pm

@ The LC

Zoso

February 21, 7 pm

@ Newport Music Hall

Tapes 'N' Tapes

February 21, 7 pm

The Basement

Jesse McCartney

February 23, 7 pm

@ The LC

Cross Canadian Ragweed

February 24, 7 pm

@ Newport Music Hall

Yonder Mountain String Band

February 26, 8 pm

@ The LC

Duncan Sheik

March 7, 8 pm

@ Southern Theater

Joan Baez

March 9, 8 pm

@ Southern Theater

The Whigs

March 9, 7 pm

@ The Basement

Nickleback (with Seether and Saving Abel)

March 11, 7 pm

@ Nationwide Arena

Kathleen Edwards and Clare Burson

March 14, 7 pm

@ The Basement

Kottonmouth Kings

March 15, 6:30 pm

@ Newport Music Hall

A Tribute to Sublime

March 17, 7 pm

@ Newport Music Hall

Mindless Self Indulgence

March 19, 7 pm

@ Newport Music Hall

The Eagles

March 29, 8 pm

@ Schottenstein Center

Morrissey

April 1, 7:30 pm

@ Palace Theater

Yanni

April 15, 8 pm

@ Germain Amphitheater

Neko Case

April 23, 7 pm

@ Newport Music Hall

Britney Spears

April 30, 8 pm

@ Schottenstein Center

I Heart CBUS

2008-12-21T00:33:00.003-05:00

Just saw this!

Dr. Mojoe is selling awesome T-shirts that have things on them like: I ♥ Cbus, CBUS, and an outline of the state of Ohio with a star where Columbus is!

They are grey jersey cotton shirts and are $32. They have them for men and women. I've not seen anything like it and I am thrilled people are representing our city via clothing. Get one today...I am.

Dr. Mojoe is a gnarly little boutique chain, btw, that's home-grown--it was founded here. There's three locations: Easton, Polaris and the Short North.

(this is not the shirt I was speaking of, though this is one of their options for guys. they don't have any pictures on their website but this give you a general idea)

New Ideas for Giving Back

2008-12-18T14:48:00.003-05:00

I am all about giving back.

Here is a ton of easy ways to do that, both nationally and in Columbus.

(Many of the items on here come from Glamour magazine).

Mid-Ohio Foodbank

Go to this website (one of my favorites)...www.thehungersite.com.

It's awesome because all you have to do is click the button in the middle of the page and that instantly donates 1.1 cups of food to starving people in the world. No money, no signing up...just click. That's it! I try to go to this site every day. And from this site you can go to the other tabs which lead you to several other sites that are similar but with different causes...but the same thing...all you gotta do is click. There's Breast Cancer Research Site (one click provides free mammograms to women in need), the Rainforest Site (where one click saves a certain amount of acres of rainforest), there's the Literacy Site (one click provides books to kids all over the world who can't read), there's the Children's Health Site (one click provides health care to sick children all over the world), and there's the Animal Rescue Site (where one click allows for pet food to go towards rescued animals). Sponsors are the ones who pay for the various causes, but clicks are what get the necessary help to each org. And 100% of the sponsor money goes to charity!!!!

Drink a lot of water? Well think about all the people in the world who don't have clean water to drink...and here we complain about tap water tasting bad. Just $20 donated to www.charitywater.org gives one person clean drinking water for 20 years!!!

As I spoke of in my other blog post, human trafficking is getting to be a baaaaad problem. Why not buy jewelry made by survivors of sex slavery instead of heading to Polaris for some earrings next time? Just go to www.madebysurvivors.com and shop away.

Ever thought about donating a cow or a goat to a rural family in need? Villages full of people who's main source of income is from their animals like cows, goats, sheep, water buffalo etc. can be found throughout the world. Some families could really benefit from having a beehive to make honey they can sell, chickens for their eggs and meat or a llama for it's fur...www.heifer.org is the genius organization that gives third-world families gifts they can really use!

Entertaining? Go to www.womensbeanproject.org and buy dips from there to serve at your next holiday party. The org employs and teaches homeless women life skills.

In the market for a new dress for that black tie event? Or are you searching around for celebrity collectibles such as guitars or clothing signed by your favorite tinsletown star? Go to www.clothesoffourback.org and bid on celebrity-worn or -donated items, where the money goes to charity. I've always wanted to wear a gown that Jessica Alba has worn to the Golden Globes or some fancy place like that or get get that signed Dwayne Wade basketball for my dad!

(This Pamella Roland cocktail dress that Eva Longoria Parker wore to a recent event was auctioned off for the winning bid of $900)

You just spent $35 eating out at your favorite restaurant. But for that exact amount, you could be providing bedding, clothing, school supplies, and other necessities to a child in need! You'd basically be making their day! Go to www.scaw.org instead of eating out next time.

Do you know how to garden or farm? Has anyone ever taught you? Probably not. And it's not something people are born knowing how to do. It's a skill, and sometimes, depending on where you live and the climate etc. it can be a daunting task, but one that's necessary for your life and the life of your family. $70 provides seeds, farming tools, and training for two impoverished families in Uganda. Just go to www.mercycorps.org and check it out. This will make a difference that will last for generations. (There's other locations to donate to as well such as Myanmar, Zimbabwe, Iraq etc.)

For just $10...that's about the cost of two movie rentals at someplace like Blockbuster, you can give an insecticide treated mosquito net to a child in a malaria-stricken country to protect them from malaria for up to five years! www.malarianomore.org is the site.

Think about those commercials urging people to donate money so that people with horrible illnesses around the world can get medical help they desperately need...well how do you suppose the volunteer medics and nurses get to the remote locations where some of the sickest people must sit and suffer? They can get to those people using bikes! It's as simple as that. Just $35 (the price of one or two nice neck-ties from Macy's) buys a bike for a health aid worker at inspiredgifts.unicefusa.org.

If you're thinking about getting someone you love a pet this holiday season...say a kitten or a puppy, ADOPT! Adopt, adopt, adopt. Rescue one (or more) of the hundred-thousands of homeless and abandoned animals today and give a furry friend another chance at life! Check out iams.com (Home 4 the Holidays campaign) or petfinder.com to find your perfect pet companion. How can you resist?!

And who knew giving back could be as easy as helping a fellow Central-Ohian family who's struggling to make ends meet right now (we all know 2008 hasn't been too kind) by paying something like their heating bill. Go to www.modestneeds.org to make a simple thing like a heating bill really warm up the holidays for a local family. (Listed by zip codes)

I shouldn't have thrown that old printer of mine away. I didn't know there was a way to donate it. A website called www.dogoodchannel.com has listing of non-profit orgs that are in need of all kinds of items like TVs, phones, furniture and such.

Donate to Mother Earth! She could use some extra money to help her combat our human damage and global warming. Terrapass.com allows you to put your money towards offsetting the carbon produced by vehicles, planes etc. this holiday season. Reduce your carbon footprint!

Next time you buy a bottle of wine, don't go to the store! Buy from www.hopewine.com. Hope Wine proceeds help right Autism and AIDS. Similarly, gals, when you go to buy makeup next...head over to the Mac counter at Nordstrom or Macy's and buy from the Viva Glam line. Viva Glam helps combat AIDS by funding research to help cure it!

Whether you know a teacher her in Columbus or not, go to www.adoptaclassroom.org and sponsor a classroom where you can buy needed supplies for the teacher/students. Sadly, too many schools go without the proper tools, books, supplies, and more that are needed to successfully teach kids, while other schools, particularly those in the suburban, ritzy areas get all the resources they need and then some. It's quite unfair, especially when you hear of teachers using their own money to buy things for their classrooms. Last week there was a story in the news about a teacher who was selling advertising space on his homework and tests to fund things in his classroom, such as supplies. Why? Because the school/district was cutting funding. Can you imagine? Seeing ads on your kids' homework assignments. There's enough of that on TV already! But desperate times call for desperate measures. It shouldn't be that way. YOU can change that!

And lastly, donate your un-used frequent-flier miles! 2009 is right around the corner so just give those sky miles away to someone who really needs to get somewhere...a mom who just found out her child is sick and needs to fly cross-country to the hospital, or American soldiers who want to come home from Iraq or Afghanistan and could use a free ride at Operation Hero Miles.

More organizations to Google...

One Acre At A Time

Yellow Ribbon Fund

Room To Read

Caring Bridge

In 2 Books

Save The Children

Care

Critical Exposure

iGive

We-Care

Music Maker

Puppies Behind Bars

Rainn

bogolight.com

Chapter One Organics

I'm a modern-day Abolitionist, are you?

2008-12-09T23:27:00.009-05:00

Every holiday season we look towards charities and non-profits to find ways to give back to the community, to a cause and to those in need.

My charity of choice this year (and forever more) is Love 146.

It was through my church that I became aware of this group, Pastor Rich at Vineyard Church off of Cooper Road in Westerville played this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IJiWCHpFRs

If you do nothing else, please just watch this video.

All I had to do was watch this video and it became clear to me the absolute and utter need we have in this world at this time to reinstate abolitionism. Ironically, other news tidbits, reports, non-profits etc. keep popping up lately about the issue of human trafficking and sex slavery in my life. It's like every week I hear something new about this issue, an issue I was aware of in the past but wasn't as compelled to do something about/didn't see the direness in the situation. I really believe someone is trying to tell me something--they're trying to tell me this is the cause I should be supporting, and after watching that clip, visiting their website, and checking out their Blogger blog, I know this is what I want to devote my time to.

I am a modern-day abolitionist. I am going to do my part to make sure the atrocities of enslavement, particularly of women and children, is removed from the world. We worked too hard to rid our nation from slavery, and so I feel I can do my part by promoting slavery be abolished in other areas of the world.

ab·o·li·tion·ist n.
A reformer who advances the abolition of slavery

Child Sex Trafficking & Exploitation demands a movement of modern day Abolitionists.
Abolitionists work toward the abolition of Child Sex Trafficking & Exploitation - they become a voice for children unable to speak for themselves

Abolitionists Use Their Voices
Abolitionists Take Action

Abolitionists work toward the abolition of Child Sex Trafficking & Exploitation - they become a voice for children unable to speak for themselves

Abolitionists Use Their Voices
Abolitionists Take Action

There is a Facebook group dedicated to this organization, under the Causes section. You should join it and see what is on the message boards on there and chat with others about how we can begin to mend this problem. On there, I signed up for the cause and there was a petition that's being sent to President Obama to urge him to put pressure on governments that allow human trafficking to go unchecked in their countries to get them to stop it, and also, to work on the problem of it in our own country (tons of young women are sold into sex slavery in San Francisco and they're forced to live in and work at "massage" parlors and give "massages" when really they are being bought for sex).

Also, look up the name of a woman named Somali Mam. I first heard of her through Glamour magazine. She rescues young girls, some as young as 5, who've been sold into slavery and prostitution and puts them in safe homes...she escaped and is a former victim herself.

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

2008-12-01T23:07:00.001-05:00

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!

Black Friday and Beyond: Holiday Shopping 2008 Deals and Steals

2008-11-25T01:41:00.009-05:00

There is an entire slew of websites devoted to the main event that is Black Friday (a.k.a. After Thanksgiving Day Sales). Pretty much every store has sales this day and is open for ultra-extended hours. These sites have lists and lists of the sales and steals for 2008.

http://bfads.net/

http://blackfridayads.com/

http://www.mahalo.com/Best_Day_After_Thanksgiving_Sale

http://blackfriday.dealsofamerica.com/

http://www.theblackfriday.com/

http://www.walletpop.com/specials/black-friday-deals?icid=100214839x1214099612x1200890479

And you know what?! Something else I figured out is that stores now have sales because of sales. For instance, there's tons of stores having Pre-Thanksgiving Sales to usher in the Day After Thanksgiving Sales. Let's hope the economy doesn't put too much on a damper on your holiday shopping plans or wishlists. Bargain shopping is tres chic.

(Above: An example of the mayhem on Black Friday at what looks like a Target store or Circuit City)

Print out coupons before you go out to the stores on Friday and Saturday. Printable Coupons is a blogspot blog I subscribe to (see right-hand sidebar). I always get great money-savers on there. Also, check the paper, check the paper, check the paper. Wednesday's edition will have all the booklets of coupons for the great sales to come.

(Or you can skip the sales as Forbes magazine suggests and shop online, because remember, all the sales, and then some, apply to online shopping, so you can accomplish holiday shopping leaps and bounds from the comfort of your own couch)

http://www.forbes.com/style/2008/11/24/shopping-holiday-sales-forbeslife-cx_ls_1124cyber.html

Here's some good things to remember on this day:

http://www.wisebread.com/share-your-black-friday-stories-thoughts-and-strategies

Brave the masses! Just arm yourself with a plan of what store's you're hitting up before Friday.

In this economy, I seriously don't mind waiting in long lines, camping out or even throwing a few 'bows so that I can get the items I need to get at a price I'm willing to pay (which is a small price). So, to me, the time spent waiting is worth the money I will be able to save. Back in the 1990s, lots of us would have said hell-no to the lines out the door and around the corner, because we could just go somewhere where the lines were shorter but the prices were a bit higher and it was no big deal. Back then, people used to avoid sales like this for the reasons of crowds and battles over toys. But now, everyone's looking to save some dough so people are going to go that extra mile so they won't have to sacrafice quality or getting the perfect gift but at a much nicer price.

Stores that I'll be hitting up for some of the best deals are:

Victoria's Secret

Kohls - markdowns from 40% to 75%! 50% off on toys and 60% on fine jewelry; they're giving $10 for every $50 spent in the store/online

WalMart-$10 toys and $200 X Box consoles, LeapFrog Leapster kids learning toys for $30

Best Buy - $60 digital cameras, $300 laptops and $900 LCD 50'' flat screen TVs, all in one Brothers printer for $40!

Macy's- for things like 5-piece luggage sets for $50, Men's sweaters for $20, 3-stone white gold and diamond ring for $400, 50% off home decor, get $10 to spend on a $25 purchase. Printable coupon for this store. Extra 20% off pretty much all merchandise

Circuit City-$2 DVDs and CDs, perfect stocking stuffers, and there's $700 Samsung LCD flat screen 42'' for sale!

Toys r Us-BOGOs and tons of other deals are already in effect, you get a $10 gift card for spending $75 or more.

Sears-in an effort to boost their performance, is pulling out the stops. 40 to 60% off on most of their merch, $10 off for every $50 spent on top of that, they'res 0% financing and price guarantees.

Ikea-since their prices are always great, they don't do too many major sales. But they are for BF, with bed frames for $99 instead of $199 and comforters/comforter covers for only $40

Old Navy-I guess it's 50% off everything on Friday only, with other deals specific to Saturday or Sunday as well. Plus they're giving away Samsung mp3 players for spending a certain amount.

Sam's Club-Samsung video camera for $180, Philips 42'' LCD HDtv (1080p) for only $798! $200 for Nintendo DS package and $425 for Wii package they're offering.

P.S. 30 days 'til Christmas...