The days are getting chilly, but you still have time to stock up on fruits and veggies and other great stuff, right downtown. Come on down to Pearl Market and see plenty in full bloom and harvest ready.

The 2011 season wraps up at the end of the month, so plan now to shop every Tuesday and Friday while farmers and merchants are still in Pearl and Lynn Alleys. If you tell us what you've enjoyed the most this year or what you would like to see in Pearl Market next season, you'll be entered to win 30.00 in Pearl Market tokens (they spend just like cash!).

Having a hard time narrowing it down? Take a peek here to see some of your choices. Just comment on the blog post and video by Friday to be entered to win.

Don't Miss! Ghost Story Writing Workshops Text 2011 Location: Thurber House Hours: October 5, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Admission: No cost Phone: 614.464.1032 thurberhouse.org ColumbusUnderground.com Tenth Anniversary Celebration Location: Around Columbus Hours: October 6 - 10 columbusunderground.com Harvest Ball Location: Scioto Audubon Center Hours: October 7, 9 p.m. - midnight Admission: 25.00 Phone: 614.263.5662 eatlocalohio.org Supply and Demand Location: Columbus College of Art & Design Hours: October 7 - December 10 Phone: 614.224.9101 ccad.edu ProMusica Chamber Orchestra: Opening Night Location: Southern Theatre Hours: October 9, 7 p.m. Admission: 10.00 - 49.00 Phone: 614.464.0066 promusicacolumbus.org More Events For a complete listing of events, please visitExperience Columbus.

Jim Rose, Outreach Specialist forCapital Crossroads &Discovery Special Improvement Districts, was honored on Monday by theCommunity Shelter Board with their Hero Award. The Hero Award is presented to those who have made significant contributions through their work toward ending homelessness.

"We are honoring Jim because he has gone above and beyond his job expectations to help the Community Shelter Board with outreach and determining the issues with street homelessness as it pertains to the Central Point of Access," said Michelle Heritage, Executive Director of the Community Shelter Board.

In his role as Outreach Specialist, Jim works in the downtown area to help connect individuals in need to those services required to move them into long-term permanent housing. Depending on the individual's situation, Jim helps them connect with emergency shelters, medical providers, mental health services, employment programs, housing agencies, and emergency services, and offers help with identification documentation and more.

"I am like a walking Yellow Pages," explains Jim. "Capital Crossroads & Discovery SIDs do not provide direct housing, I do not employ people, I am not a healthcare provider, but I get homeless individuals in touch with the right people and agencies that do, and advocate on their behalf."

"I would not be able to help as many people as I have without the support of a lot of outside agencies."

Jim knows that the downtown community is generous and wants to help with the problem of homelessness. If you would like to help to solve the problem of homelessness, Jim encourages you to do the following:

Do not give money to panhandlers. Many panhandlers are not homeless and are already connected to one resource or another. Often the money you give goes to "extracurricular" items that are not covered by those resources.

If you would like to give money, consider finding an agency to support with money or time. Jim recommends checking out The Street Card, a resource produced by the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless, an all-encompassing document listing agencies, drop-in centers, medical providers and more. It can be found at columbushomeless.org.

"If you give a dollar to a panhandler on the street, he could use it to buy a cup of coffee," noted Jim. "That same dollar given to Faith Mission could almost feed someone an entire meal."

Capital Crossroads & Discovery Special Improvement Districts are proud of Jim's many successes in helping individuals in need, and congratulate him on his Hero Award.

Experience Columbus Days is back. It's time to, well, experience Columbus! Each Columbus Day weekend, Experience Columbus encourages you to get out on our town. Enjoy up to 50 percent off at a variety of Columbus entertainment and attractions and a 25 percent discount on food at Dine Originals Columbus restaurants.

There are great attractions to enjoy citywide, but we're sure you'll want to hit some downtown favs like COSI, Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus Museum of Art, BalletMet and more. And to fuel your activity whirlwind, indulge in delicious deals at downtown eateries. There are lots of choices so come early, stay late and bring a ravenous appetite.

Visit ExperienceColumbusDays.com to download and print the discount flyer, which you must show to receive your discount. The good news, you can use it as often as you want. So get your flyer, mark your calendar and plan your assault on the city we love!

Experience Columbus Days
Location: Throughout Columbus
Hours: October 8 - 11
experiencecolumbusdays.com

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