The New York Times just posted an article to their website, which will appear in the Sunday New York Times Travel section, about the Short North neighborhood of Columbus. Highlighted spots include the Wexner Center for the Arts, Milk Bar, Mahan, Tasi’s Cafe, pm gallery and Jeni’s Ice Cream.

You can read the entire article here.

Its that time again. Time for the Arnold Sports Festival.

With 44 sports and events, including 12 Olympic sports, the 2010 Arnold Sports Festival presents fitness and fun for all ages March 4-7. The festival has expanded into the world’s largest multi-sport fitness weekend since its 1989 beginning as The Arnold Classic as a one-day professional men’s bodybuilding competition.

About 170,000 sports fans are expected to see 18,000 athletes compete in a variety of more than 40 sports and events at five premier venues: the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Franklin County Veterans Memorial, LC Pavilion, Nationwide Arena and the Dispatch Ice Haus. At the popular three-day Arnold Fitness EXPO packed audiences enjoy 700 fitness-related booths and ongoing stage entertainment.

Many Arnold Sports Festival participants are youth competing in archery, boxing, cheerleading and dance, dancesport, fencing, figure skating, gymnastics, martial arts, skateboarding, table tennis, weightlifting and wrestling. Top student athletes compete for one of nine $2,000 college scholarships presented by the Columbus Rotary and the Arnold Sports Festival.

Olympic Sports: The Arnold Sports Festival is a proving ground for many aspiring athletes. Former Olympians and Olympic hopefuls will appear or compete in 12 Olympic Sports: archery, boxing, fencing, figure skating, gymnastics, judo, karate, running, table tennis, tae kwon do, weightlifting, and wrestling.

New in 2010:

* Arnold Figure Skating Exhibition is scheduled Saturday in the Dispatch Ice Haus
* Arnold Amateur Strongman will bring 50 of the world’s top amateurs to compete in a new event separate from the professionals in the Arnold Strongman Classic
* Art at the Arnold where artists compete in a drawing and painting competition
* Skateboarding competition
* Amateur MMA Festival
* Arnold Sports Photo Workshop
* Ohio Senior Olympics competitions added to the Active Living Festival
* CrossFit multisport event that promotes overall physical fitness

“A $10 daily EXPO ticket affords you a great entertainment value.” co-producer Jim Lorimer said. “There’s something for everyone … from world class athletes, sports fans and those seeking self improvement tips or just a fun time. You’ll find a dazzling array of sports and fitness options.”

GOkickball is a social co-ed adult kickball league in Columbus where games are played at local Columbus parks. People of any athletic ability get together for fun with old and new friends on the field and afterwards socializing at league bars and events.

Spring Season starts March 27 – May 15. Games will be played on Saturday (McKinley Park near Grandview) & Thursday (Antrim Park).  Cost is $49 for 8 weeks of games, season tournament, post-game socializing at bar sponsor, t-shirts, etc.

Registration deadline is March 15. On-line registration is available. GOkickball Columbus is also looking for companies to sponsor teams. If interested in sponsorship email:columbus@gokickball.com

Join this great non-traditional exercise/ friendly competition for adults of all ages!  Become a fan of their Facebook Page.

I’ve lived in Grandview Heights for about eight months, and I’ve completely fallen in love. There are great places to eat and toss back a cocktail or two within walking distance from my apartment. Not to mention that the locals are absolutely terrific. Grandview is a small community in the heart of a big city.

Here are a few of MY favorite places that I’ve discovered in Grandview:

Krema Nut Company

The first time I drove passed, I saw the sign “Krema Nuts: Great for kids” and I stopped to take a picture because ::giggle:: it just sounds dirty. Ok, now that I’ve got THAT out of my system…

I was instantly in love with this place! A fantastic retail selection of nuts, as well as other sweets and treats, peanut butter, and preserves. They also have a mini cafe that serves, what else, peanut butter sandwiches! Peanut butter with bananas, peanut butter with jelly, peanut butter with chocolate, peanut butter with marshmallows, and the sandwich I tried – peanut butter with apples. Unexpectedly delicious. They have milkshakes in 6 different flavors – I tried chocolate, it was pretty good. The others were buckeye, vanilla, strawberry, peanut butter and… I THINK peanut butter & jelly. Which sounds kinda gross in a milkshake, though I’m sure it’s delicious. Sammich and milkshake = under $7. Caution: you might develop 8-year-old like behaviors after enjoying a meal of PB&J and a milkshake. Nostalgic comfort food win.

The Krema Nut Company has been a Columbus staple since 1898! Over 100 years of nuttin’

Columbus Cheesecake Company

The first day the boy and I moved to Grandview, we were in pursuit of some decadent dessert to toast the occasion. After grabbing some wine at nearby Grandview Carryout, we noticed the sign for the Columbus Cheesecake Company in the tiny plaza that holds a few other businesses. With a name like Cheesecake Company, it has to be good. Or is that Smucker’s? We were NOT disappointed. Their simple, plain cheesecake is better than the how-much-more-fluff-can-we-stu ff-into-this-slice frills of Cheesecake Factory. Somehow, though, I failed to come back here after that first visit until very recently. OMFGLMAOANDOTHERSUCHLETTERS. Chocolate strawberry cheesecake. This, surely, is heaven. Decadent strawberry cheesecake. Rich, chocolate icing. Perfectly soft crust.

Columbus Cheesecake Company bakes all of their cheesecake fresh daily, never freezing them. Seasonal fruit toppings are available, too. Pricing: Single slice – $4 (daily selections vary), 5″ cake – $11.50 (serves 4. or, you know, one, every meal of the day.), 7″ cake – $19 and 10″ cake – $33. They also have glutten-free or low carb cakes in 7″ ($22) and 10″ ($37)

Flaherty’s Thirsty Ear Tavern

FOUR TO NINE, TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, $2 DRAFTS! A great selection, including my favorite, Bell’s Two Hearted! Best happy hour around. And the bartenders, I’ve recently learned, will let you order an extra one at the happy hour price and then they’ll pour it later, when you need it. So that means (and I’m not saying I’ve ever done this… cough) if you get here at 5, and drink til after 10, and consume 5 delicious Bell’s two-hearted ales, your tab will only be $10.

The two young lady bartenders are chatty and sweet. Thirsty Ear is best known for its small stage that frequently hosts various live entertainment, from open mic to acoustic sets to improv comedy.

DK Diner

Were it not for word of mouth, I never would have known this place existed. It’s in a purely residential area of Grandview off the beaten path. It’s a tiny little greasy spoon with a great atmosphere, packed with families and cute old couples and hipsters. To the left is a self-serve beverage station steaming with fresh pots of coffee, a soda fountain and a cooler with milk cartons. Next to that is the donut station, which, by the time we got there (noon) was almost empty -a testament, no doubt, to these homemade donuts that everyone raves about. I’ve twice ordered the vegetarian omelette, and both times enjoyed fluffy eggs stuffed with peppers, mushrooms and cheese. And the donuts… oh the donuts… sweet, but not overly so. A hint of lemon zest, maybe? Leaves the most incredible and indescribable aftertaste. Thick, soft, heavenly.

It’s very cheap – omelette + bread = $4.25, fountain soda = $1.25, carton of chocolate milk (obligatory brunch fair) = $.95. DK Diner is only open til 2p, and I believe exclusively serves breakfast until 1p on Saturdays and Sundays.

Grandview Cafe

This is my favorite place to grab a beer in warm weather – Grandview Cafe boasts a fantastic two-story patio situated at the corner of 3rd and Grandview – perfect for relaxing, chatting and observing the neighborhood. GC has some pretty good food, a passable beer selection and a very friendly group of bartenders and waiters.

Mickey’s

This tiny little cash-only bar is home to one of the friendliest crowds I’ve ever encountered. It’s impossible to be here for more than 10 minutes and NOT have a stranger strike up a conversation with you.

And, much to my enjoyment, they host karaoke Thursday, Friday, Saturday AND Sunday! That’s a whole lot of “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Take note that this is a cash only bar though, with no ATM inside (but there’s a UDF just up the street.)

Hella’s Grill Express

When I first moved to Grandview I was bummed to be leaving what I affectionately referred to as “hood gyro spot” – the kind of place where there is no actual name listed on the establishment, just a neon sign that says “gyros”, where the person who makes your food is breast feeding her child at the same time, and where things are very cheap and priced at weird numbers like $2.46 – but amazingly, delicious.

So from the outside Hella’s looked to me like it could be the new hood gyro spot. It’s attached to a sketchy looking liquor store and across the street from another drive-through liquor store, and it’s quite small and shabby. Inside, though, it’s much less hood. But just as good as the hood! Now I understand the phrase “It’s all good in the hood!” Groovy!

The food here is very yummy. I get takeout from here quite often – there are only 3 tables in an awkwardly shaped space so it’s not really conducive for dining in. Food is very affordable – $5 for a sub packed with goodies, $8 for a pizza, $2.50 for a giant, flaky, amazing Spanakopita. Mmmm.

Graffiti Burger

I am not easy to please when it comes to burgers. I’m even more picky about french fries. But both were quite delicious. I hate when I order a burger and feel like I could have made better from the freezer to my Foreman – definitely NOT the case at Graffiti Burger. And their black bean burger for the vegetarian crowd is just as delicious. They make their milkshakes the good ol’ fashioned way – vanilla ice cream, milk, optional chocolate syrup and blend.

With so many toppings it’s a little hard to choose without some prior planning – I stared at the menu for a solid 10 minutes before settling on simple swiss and bacon.

Toppings you can get for free:
Ketchup, mustard, mayo, pickle slices, lettuce, sweet pickle relish, tomato, cole slaw, graffiti sauce, a-1, onion, bbq sauce, banana peppers, spicy brown mustard, jalapenos, chipotle sauce, swiss cheese, american cheese, provolone cheese, pepperjack cheese

Toppings that will cost you an extra buck:
Applewood smoked bacon, blue cheese crumbles, roasted red pepper, sauteed mushrooms, graffiti guacomole

Stauf’s Coffee Roasters

I love Stauf’s. First of all, it’s great coffee, which is pretty much all you can ask for when choosing a coffee shop. Second, the atmosphere is great. Third, it’s right in the heart of the adorable little shopping district on Grandview Ave, so the tables out front make for great people watching. Fourth, it’s great coffee. Oh, did I say that already?

Luck Bros Coffee

The perfect place for all espresso drinks, especially gorgeous lattes, great coffee and a quiet, soothing atmosphere. Comfortable seating. Quality food. Friendly staff. Ample WiFi. A+

Grandview Carry Out

Such a gem in Grandview Heights. An amazing selection of craft beers and a decent wine selection to boot. And the cute kitty that hangs out on the register (named, appropriately, Guiness) gives you a good vibe for the hometown atmosphere. The owner – and his employees – are eager to strike up a conversation and help you find the perfect brew.

What am I missing? Do you know of a hidden Grandview gem that I don’t? Share it in the comments!

Note: I originally posted some version of these reviews on Yelp.com.