Downtown Living Blog

Howdy! Below is information about upcoming events and activities that, as a “young professional,” may appeal to you. Please share this information with folks you think might be interested. Let me know if you have information you’d like to share.

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SERIOUSLY. Do you love living in Columbus? What are your favorite things about our city? Is there a single, super cool aspect of Columbus that you think more people should know about? If so, you need to bust out your video camera—and your creativity—to create a video expressing your thoughts about Columbus.

Many of you may have seen the Chamber’s effort (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHYZQrH_hJo) that’s currently posted on YouTube. Can you do better? If so, here’s your chance!

Here’s How to Participate – Columbus Videos

1. Decide what aspect of Columbus you’re passionate about and want to share via video (neighborhoods, activities, food, arts, Jeni’s ice cream, etc.) Ultimately your video should showcase what you love about living in Columbus.
2. Create a video
3. Upload the video to YouTube
4. Tag the video “my Columbus” or post it in response to the Columbus Chamber’s “Why Columbus” video.
5. Click “Share the video” with friends, colleagues and family, add it to your Facebook account, blog, etc.

We hope to have some videos to show at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting (February 27, 7:30 – 9am at the Columbus Convention Center) so get your videos in sooner rather than later; though there’s no hard end date to submitting videos, so if your muse doesn’t come to you till the spring or summer, that’s cool, too.

Oh, and there’s $500 on the line for the video we deem “the best.”

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Watch out for City Year billboards on your way to work, shopping or to the gym. Lamar advertising has donated six billboards in different areas of the city to raise awareness about City Year! If you still haven't gotten your City Year fix head over to your local supermarket and pick up the new City Year Pepsi can. During the month of February and beyond you can find special Pepsi cans featuring City Year slogans, logo and website.

Come join us at our Open House (February 6 @ 5:30) to get a sneak peek of the City Year Pepsi can, billboards and to be inspired by the 38 corps members that make up City Year Columbus!

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Find out how a community builds distinctiveness at the Experience Columbus Annual Meeting! Young professionals receive a special discount!

Join Experience Columbus and keynote speaker Carol Coletta as we explore the many ways a community builds distinctiveness. Carol is president and CEO of CEOs for Cities (www.CEOsForCities.org) and host and producer of the nationally syndicated public radio show Smart City (www.SmartCityRadio.com). She is a passionate advocate for cities and has dedicated her life to determining what makes cities succeed. Carol is frequently interviewed as an expert on urban issues and is an active speaker on the success formula for cities and creative communities.

When: Tuesday, Feb. 19. Networking reception at 11 a.m. Luncheon and program from Noon-1:15 p.m.

Where: Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St.

Tickets: Experience Columbus has extended a SPECIAL DISCOUNT TO YOUNG PROFESSIONALS. Enter coupon code YPs at checkout to receive 50% off the price of your ticket! Tickets are available now at www.ExperienceColumbus.com/annual.cfm. Deadline is Feb. 8.

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FIRSTLINK and The Ohio State University Office of Continuing Education
New Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program

Sign up now for spring classes!

Effective January 1, 2008, FIRSTLINK and The Ohio State University Office of Continuing Education are partnering to provide twenty required and electives classes that qualify participants to earn a Nonprofit Leadership Certificate.

This valuable Certificate program will provide:

• nonprofit organizational professionals
• adult educators
• board and commission members
• community development directors
• cooperative extension staff members
• and others

with essential skills needed to meet the challenges of leadership and employment in the fast-growing non-profit sector.

Training participants are welcome to attend any classes without completing the Nonprofit Leadership Certification.

For a complete listing of required and elective courses and to register for classes visit http://ced.osu.edu/nccourse_registration.html. Select Noncredit Courses and 2008 Winter FIRSTLINK Courses.

Descriptions of classes provided by FIRSTLINK are listed below. For more information please contact Beth Eck at beck@firstlink.org or 614-221-6766 ext. 126.

For more information click the title of the training.

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