Downtown Living Blog

June's Supply & Inventory Decrease as Sales Increase
July 24th, 2008 9:29 PM

Month's supply & inventory decrease as sales increase

 

(July 24, 2008) The central Ohio housing market continued to stabilize in June as the area saw it’s lowest “month’s supply”

level since last summer, according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

 

In June, the month’s supply of homes was 8.03, the lowest since August 2007, and a key indication of the area’s

healthy housing market, says Greg Hrabcak, President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

 

“Month’s supply is the ratio of inventory to sales which takes into account both supply and demand. A healthy market

has a 6.5 to 7-month supply of homes, meaning if no new homes were added to the market, it would take about 6.5 or 7

months to sell all the available homes,” says Hrabcak. “The fact that central Ohio’s month’s supply figure is continuing

to decrease shows that the market is becoming more balanced. Buyers still have a tremendous selection, but a lower

month’s supply also means good news for sellers.”

 

Although there were slightly more homes on the market in June than in May, year to date totals show a 9.2 percent

decrease in total homes on the market this June versus June 2007. Similarly, new listings dropped 13 percent in June

compared to June 2007, and nearly seven percent from May to June 2008.

 

“The first half of 2008 has seen steadily increasing home sales,” says Hrabcak. “And there were 8.6 percent more homes

sold in June than May."

 

Year to date sales of new and existing homes through June total 10,667, 14.3 percent behind June 2007’s total of 12,444,

but less than six percent behind sales in the market’s pre boom period, during the first half of 2003.

 

The average sale price of homes in central Ohio increased over May by more than seven percent in June, to $180,399.

 

To view June sales chart, click here.

  

The Columbus Board of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service (MLS) serves all of Franklin, Delaware, Fayette, Madison, Morrow

and Union Counties and parts of Champagne, Clark, Hocking, Licking, Fairfield, Knox, Logan, Marion, Pickaway and Ross Counties. 

 

For more information about the central Ohio housing market, visit www.ColumbusRealtors.com

Posted by Robert Bickis on July 24th, 2008 9:29 PMPost a Comment (0)

A heartbreaking day - we need your help
May 18th, 2008 12:38 PM


Couchfire Collective Logo
Online donation fund set up
to help victims of Haiku Hit-and-Run

It is with great sadness that we bring you the following news.

Last night, Julie Liu and Rachel Widomski were critically injured by a hit-and-run driver in the parking lot of Haiku Poetic Food and Art in the Short North.

Rachel is an artist and volunteer who has participated in Agora. Julie and her husband Paul provided all of the wonderful food at our Agora preview party this past April.

On Thursday evening, a man left Haiku without paying his bill. Julie, co-owner of Haiku, and Rachel, a bartender, followed the man outside to his vehicle.

According to police, the man started his vehicle and purposely struck Rachel and Julie as he backed out of his parking spot. A restaurant guest was also injured. He was treated and released.

Rachel was transported to Grant Medical Center where she was in serious condition Friday morning. Julie was in serious condition Friday at The Ohio State University Medical Center.

We are collecting donations to assist with Julie and Rachel's medical bills and other needs. Please help us at Haiku Help.
Couchfire Collective
889 Williams Avenue
Grandview Heights, Ohio 43212
Posted by Robert Bickis on May 18th, 2008 12:38 PMPost a Comment (0)

Earth Day Festival at Goodale Park - Saturday 4/26
April 25th, 2008 6:12 PM

Sponsors

Where were you last Earth Day? Did you do your part and help gussy up Mother Earth? We hope so, but if you missed 2007 worry not, because Earth Day 2008 is right around the corner. Green Columbus is working with just about every area environmental group to make this the best Earth Day ever. The details are:

When:Saturday, April 26; worksites around town will start at 8:00 a.m., the celebration at Goodale Park runs from noon to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Worksites around Central Ohio in the morning, a celebration at Goodale Park in the afternoon.

Why: Mother Earth has been good to us and it is time to give back a little.

Who: Central Ohioans of all ages

Earth Day 2008: Now Get Busy! is brought to you by the same folks who put together last year’s Earth Day 2007: A Year in a Day. In 2007, we well surpassed our goal of soliciting one person-year of volunteer labor by enabling nearly 1,400 Central Ohioans to put in over 3,900 person-hours, almost two person-years, at 42 worksites throughout the area. This level of effort resulted in cleaner rivers, the planting of hundreds of trees, removal of non-native species from our parks, and all manner of community beautification. The morning work activities were followed by a city-wide celebration at Goodale Park that featured a free lunch for morning volunteers, booths for environmental organizations, live music, and speakers, including Mayor Michael B.Coleman.

Our plans for 2008 are even bigger. There will be 2,500 volunteer slots in the morning, and an even bigger afternoon celebration. Details about these will be coming soon, so stay tuned. We are also working with a number of other great organizations,including the Columbus Zoo, to fill a full week (yep, we’re calling it Earth Week) with great activities.

Posted by Robert Bickis on April 25th, 2008 6:12 PMPost a Comment (0)

Earth Week Program | Green Drinks
April 17th, 2008 1:10 PM
Top

Earth Week!

It is finally here.  We are shocked and delighted with the number of green events planned for the coming week.  Actually there are too many to list in one e-mail, but you can check them all out in the lovely (and updated) Earth Week Program.

The events listed below are benefits supporting local environmental groups, and you get to decide how the funds will be distributed.  Proceeds from these events will go to the groups listed at the end of this message.  Voting will be done at Now Get Busy on 4/26 when morning volunteers place their donated lunch tokens in labeled jugs at Goodale Park.  Clear?  We hope so.

Benefit #1
What: Earth Day Benefit Concert
When: Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 8 p.m. to midnight
Where: High Five, 1227 N. High St.
Why: Hear Nate X 10, The Bernards, The Saturday Giant, Ruvane Kurland, and Bernadette, and support local enviro groups

Benefit #2
What: April Green Drinks
When: Thursday, April 24, 2008, 6 p.m. to midnight
Where: Bristol Bar, 132 E. 5th Ave.
Why: Get down with Robot Rock and Funkdefy, mingle with greenies, drink Jimi Hendrix Liquid Experience concoctions and support local enviro groups

Benefit #3
What: Whole Foods 5 After 5
When: Friday, April 25, 2008, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Both Whole Foods Locations - 3670 W. Dublin-Granville Rd & 1555 W. Lane Ave
Why: Eat yummy food, drink wine and support local enviro groups

This is getting long, but two more quick reminders.  First, please shop at Whole Foods on Earth Day (4/22); 5% of sales support Now Get Busy!  Second, don't forget to register to volunteer on 4/26 at www.nowgetbusy.org.

Team Green Drinks

Groups supported by benefits:
Buckeye Forest Council
Consider Biking
Earth Share of Ohio
Friends of Alum Creek Tributaries
Friends of Goodale Park
Friends of Lower Olentangy Watershed
Friends of the Scioto River
Green Columbus
Green Energy Ohio
Habitat for Humanity - Re-Store
Mercy for Animals
Ohio Environmental Council
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Simply Living

Posted by Robert Bickis on April 17th, 2008 1:10 PMPost a Comment (0)

AGORA 2008 - Art event
April 15th, 2008 4:47 PM
AGORA 2008.  Saturday, April 19.  Be there or be square.
 
Contact: Jen Adrion
Phone: 614-323-1258

Columbus Arts Community 
Springs To Life with AGORA 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 8, 2008) - The Couchfire Collective has announced Agora 2008 will take place on Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19, 2008. Agora is the brilliant showcase of Central Ohio's art, music and community - bringing artists and art patrons together to celebrate Columbus' diverse and talented creative community.

Agora guests have the opportunity to view and purchase hundreds of works of art, wander through over fifty working artists' studios, experience performance acts and enjoy a variety of musical guests.

An exclusive preview event featuring art, a silent auction, musical acts and live performances will be held on the evening of Friday, April 18, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 pre-sale and $25 at the door. The evening will feature special guest Maryellen O'Shaughnessy, member of Columbus City Council and strong supporter of the arts in Columbus. Maryellen will be presenting awards to artists during the Preview Party. Food from local restaurants and drinks are provided.

There is a suggested entrance fee of $3 for the main event on Saturday, April 19, 2008. Doors open at 3 PM. Additional information can be found on the website.

Agora 2008 is being hosted and orchestrated by the Couchfire Collective, an innovative group of individual artists committed to furthering civic development by increasing awareness of the artistic community. The event will be co-hosted by Junctionview Studios, a multi-function warehouse where more than 50 artists and performers work, display and perform. Agora is located at Junctionview Studios, 889 Williams Avenue in Grandview Heights, Ohio.

Over 250 visiting artists, 50 artists with studios, numerous musical acts, video and performance artists have been selected and over 3,000 art patrons are expected to attend. Agora will also showcase a sampling of Columbus's best local restaurants and eateries.

Preview night musicians will include acoustic guitar master John Morgan, experimental rock by Dayton band Paego Paego, electronic musician Count Funkula, and more. Main night musicians will include progressive rockers Six Gallery, indie folk band Russenorsk, Sinkane, Amanda Heironimus, and many more. Music runs from 3pm to midnight.

Performances by Kristina Isabelle Dance Company, HighJinks, Available Light Theatre, Queen Mae and the Bells, and many others will be scattered throughout both nights of the event.

Agora 2008 marks the first Agora and largest community arts event since Columbus, Ohio was self-proclaimed the "Independent Art Capital of The World." The Columbus Independent Art Capital movement is fueled by and exists to support the exchange of ideas, attraction of speakers and art makers from around the world, and celebration of the rich arts culture tradition of Columbus. Agora 2008 will kick off the first summer of The Independent Art Capital of the World.



About Agora
Our mission is to create an inclusive, positive environment in which artists of all disciplines, ages, and skill levels can present their works to an enthusiastic community of art patrons. We want Agora to serve as a networking hub that connects artists with buyers, musicians with listeners, and performers with audiences. By providing an opportunity for guests to experience local creativity first-hand, we hope to strengthen and raise the profile of Ohio's creative community.


About The Couchfire Collective
The Couchfire Collective is a group of twelve members who share a common drive to progress as individual artists, develop as a collective, and to raise the profile of Columbus' creative community. 

Our mission is to provide artists and art patrons with diverse opportunities to make connections and become active participants in the local arts scene. We advocate collaboration and communication between individuals, groups, and professional organizations who have a mutual interest in the arts. By positioning ourselves as enthusiastic innovators, we work to promote awareness of the artistic community as an essential component of civic development.    


About Junctionview Studios
Junctionview Studios is a multi-function warehouse in Columbus, Ohio. More than 50 artists and performers work, display, and perform here. The space is home to periodic shows each month as well as a few really big shows throughout the year.

Our mission is to create a stable, productive environment that encourages artists to pursue their passion, and share their vision with the community at large.
Posted by Robert Bickis on April 15th, 2008 4:47 PMPost a Comment (0)

Events & Activities for YPs: April 15 - April 21
April 15th, 2008 4:45 PM

1.

Want full arts access at a fraction of the price? Sign up for a ColumbusArts Card and get discounts to arts tickets and admissions across the city, invites to exclusive, free members-only events and a weekly e-mail blast with the inside scoop on where to use your membership. Pay $40 for an annual membership and get more than $1,300 in discounts! Go to ColumbusArts.com for more on the ColumbusArts Card and sign up today to start receiving your member benefits. Here's an example of a ColumbusArts Card event happening this week:

Columbus Children's Theatre presents The Sound of Music

Join Columbus Children's Theatre as it presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music from April 10 - 27 at the Columbus Performing Arts Center. Your ColumbusArts Card entitles you to a discounted ticket at the senior or children's rate per performance. Call 614-224-6673 or visit www.colschildrenstheatre.org.

~~~~~~~~
2.



Know Your Money Training Location:


Columbus Urban League
788 Mount Vernon Ave.
Columbus, OH 43203

Dates:

April 19, 2008; 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
April 26, 2008; 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.


Know Your Money is an economic empowerment program designed to teach African-American professionals, ages 21-40, personal money management strategies. The program consists of a two class curriculum to help participants understand their attitudes about money, how to establish a household budget, and to employ effective financial management tools.

Know Your Money is brought to you by the National Urban League in partnership with Honda Financial Services, and is being implemented by the Columbus Urban League and the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals.

The program registration fee is $45, which covers class sessions and program materials. It is a small investment for knowledge that will have a substantial and long-term payoff.
To find out more about Know Your Money or to register for classes, go to www.nul.org/KYM.

Hurry! Registration closes April 17

Enrollment is limited


~~~~~~~~

3.

theCHAT Dialogue Series

What Does a Clinton or Obama

Presidency Really Mean

for Black America?

Thursday, April 17 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

ProgressOhio 251 S. Third Street

Columbus, OH 43215

The purpose of this dialogue is to move beyond the historic symbolism of both of the remaining Democratic candidates for President in order to put a substantive light on the policy positions and programs each candidate has enumerated specifically for African Americans and the country as a whole.

This dialogue includes an array of distinguished panelists including elected officials, community leaders and academics. BE A PART OF THIS IMPORTANT COMMUNITY EVENT!

MODERATOR

Colby Taylor, Office of Minority Affairs, The Ohio State University

PANELISTS

Carla Jackson, Ph.D. Candidate, Ohio State University

Dr. Hasan Jeffries, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University

Dr. Jessica Johnson, Adjunct Faculty, Columbus State Community College

The Honorable Eugene Miller, Ohio House of Representatives

The Honorable W. Carlton Weddington, Columbus City School Board Member

This event has been organized in collaboration withthe

Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

RSVP @ thechat@yourchangeagency.com

Learn more about theCHAT Dialogue Series and The CHANGE Agency at www.yourchangeagency.com.

All Rights Reserved 2007 The CHANGE Agency

~~~~~~~~
4. Columbus Arts Community Springs To Life with AGORA 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 8, 2008) - The Couchfire Collective has announced Agora 2008 will take place on Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19, 2008. Agora is the brilliant showcase of Central Ohio's art, music and community - bringing artists and art patrons together to celebrate Columbus' diverse and talented creative community.

Agora guests have the opportunity to view and purchase hundreds of works of art, wander through over fifty working artists' studios, experience performance acts and enjoy a variety of musical guests.

An exclusive preview event featuring art, a silent auction, musical acts and live performances will be held on the evening of Friday, April 18, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 pre-sale and $25 at the door. The evening will feature special guest Maryellen O'Shaughnessy, member of Columbus City Council and strong supporter of the arts in Columbus. Maryellen will be presenting awards to artists during the Preview Party. Food from local restaurants and drinks are provided.

There is a suggested entrance fee of $3 for the main event on Saturday, April 19, 2008. Doors open at 3 PM. Additional information can be found on the website.

Agora 2008 is being hosted and orchestrated by the Couchfire Collective, an innovative group of individual artists committed to furthering civic development by increasing awareness of the artistic community. The event will be co-hosted by Junctionview Studios, a multi-function warehouse where more than 50 artists and performers work, display and perform. Agora is located at Junctionview Studios, 889 Williams Avenue in Grandview Heights, Ohio.

Over 250 visiting artists, 50 artists with studios, numerous musical acts, video and performance artists have been selected and over 3,000 art patrons are expected to attend. Agora will also showcase a sampling of Columbus's best local restaurants and eateries.

Preview night musicians will include acoustic guitar master John Morgan, experimental rock by Dayton band Paego Paego, electronic musician Count Funkula, and more. Main night musicians will include progressive rockers Six Gallery, indie folk band Russenorsk, Sinkane, Amanda Heironimus, and many more. Music runs from 3pm to midnight.

Performances by Kristina Isabelle Dance Company, HighJinks, Available Light Theatre, Queen Mae and the Bells, and many others will be scattered throughout both nights of the event.

Agora 2008 marks the first Agora and largest community arts event since Columbus, Ohio was self-proclaimed the "Independent Art Capital of The World." The Columbus Independent Art Capital movement is fueled by and exists to support the exchange of ideas, attraction of speakers and art makers from around the world, and celebration of the rich arts culture tradition of Columbus. Agora 2008 will kick off the first summer of The Independent Art Capital of the World.

About Agora

Our mission is to create an inclusive, positive environment in which artists of all disciplines, ages, and skill levels can present their works to an enthusiastic community of art patrons. We want Agora to serve as a networking hub that connects artists with buyers, musicians with listeners, and performers with audiences. By providing an opportunity for guests to experience local creativity first-hand, we hope to strengthen and raise the profile of Ohio's creative community.

About The Couchfire Collective

The Couchfire Collective is a group of twelve members who share a common drive to progress as individual artists, develop as a collective, and to raise the profile of Columbus' creative community.

Our mission is to provide artists and art patrons with diverse opportunities to make connections and become active participants in the local arts scene. We advocate collaboration and communication between individuals, groups, and professional organizations who have a mutual interest in the arts. By positioning ourselves as enthusiastic innovators, we work to promote awareness of the artistic community as an essential component of civic development.

About Junctionview Studios

Junctionview Studios is a multi-function warehouse in Columbus, Ohio. More than 50 artists and performers work, display, and perform here. The space is home to periodic shows each month as well as a few really big shows throughout the year.

Our mission is to create a stable, productive environment that encourages artists to pursue their passion, and share their vision with the community at large.

~~~~~~~~
5. Slow Food Columbus will be working with local restaurants and food artisans to produce a series of events designed to stimulate and educate the palate. Slow Food's Taste Education series will allow participants to sample some outstanding examples of fine food and drink while listening to, and conversing with, experts on the food being consumed. The inaugural event in the Taste Education series will be a tea tasting at ZenCha Tea Salon on April 20; other events being planned include wine tastings from the south of France, Scotch tastings and Biodynamic Ohio Honey tastings. For details visit slowfoodcolumbus.org ; to be notified of events as they become finalized, go to the website and join the mailing list.

~~~~~~~~
6.
NETWORKING SESSION AT NATIONWIDE ARENA

Monday, April 21, 6pm

Join us for a special networking event with top executives from the Columbus Blue Jackets and Columbus Destroyers, followed by an Arena League Football game (Columbus Destroyers vs. Philadelphia Soul), which will be nationally televised on ESPN2. Tickets are $25 per person, which includes admission, a Destroyers game ticket, snacks, and a drink ticket for the networking session. To obtain tickets for this event, call Brian Laurent at 614-246-7293 or e-mail blaurent@bluejackets.com.
· Who will be there:
Larry Hoepfner, Vice President of Business Operations
Paul D Aiuto, Vice President of Corporate Development
Marc Gregory, Vice President of Marketing
Todd Sharrock, Vice President of Public Relations
T.J. LaMendola, Chief Financial Officer
David Paitson, Vice President of Ticketing
· When: Monday, April 21st, 6:00pm, followed by the Columbus vs. Philadelphia game at 8pm
· Where: Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd. (Arena District)
· Cost: $25 (includes game ticket, snacks, and drink ticket for the networking session)

~~~~~~~~
7.
GO GREEN! CELBRATE EARTH DAY!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
6:00-8:00PM
Whole Foods select appetizers & cash bar at Whole Foods Store (161)

Come hear a discussion on issues such as:

  1. What is organic?
  2. Small actions, big difference!
  3. Recycling opportunities!

3670 W. Dublin Granville Rd
Columbus, OH 43235

RSVP to: Vickie Long @ vicki2@poshevent.com

Also, don't forget to shop at Whole Foods on the 22nd too! 5% of all net sales are donated to Green Columbus!!

www.ypcolumbus.org
www.wholefoodsmarket.com

~~~~~~~~

9. It's a new day at Columbus Landmarks and you're invited to a celebration of new partners and a whole new line-up of activities and initiatives!

You are invited to Columbus Landmarks' 2008 Annual Meeting,
Thur, April 24
at 5:30 pm
Ohio Historical Center

followed by
The Ohio Historical Society's Member Preview & Reception for
Capture the Moment -The Pulitzer Prize Photographs

RSVP
by April 18
to the Ohio Historical Society
614-297-2332,
800-686-1545
or by email »»

1974 Pulitzer Prize for Photography, Slava Veder,Courtesy of the Associated Press and featured in the Ohio Historical Society's Exhibit Capture the Moment - The Pulitzer Prize Photographs

• Landmarks' Annual Meeting, Member Preview & parking are FREE.
• Ohio Historical Center is located at I-71 & 17th Avenue.
• Suggested dress is business casual.
• Doors open at 5 pm for Landmarks' Annual Meeting.
• Reception 'til 8 pm includes light hors d’oeuvres and cash bar.
• For more information, visit www.ColumbusLandmarks.org »

Sponsors:


~~~~~~~~
10. COLUMBUS JAZZ ORCHESTRA, Byron Stripling, Artistic Director presents

NEW ORLEANS ON PARADE - Starring Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews
April 23-27, 2008
WED-SAT 8 PM / SUN 2 PM, 7:30 PM
Southern Theatre / 21 E. Main Street

Stay tuned for a very special offer for YPs to meet and greet Trombone Shorty at a post-concert event on Friday (4/25) evening!

~~~~~~~~
11. Ohio Statehouse Commemorates Life of Abraham Lincoln

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse Rotunda and Crypt, Broad & High Streets; downtown
Columbus

Free!

The 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A, Civil War re-enactors will provide an honor guard from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the site where the slain President lay in state in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda on April 29, 1865.

Special presentations highlighting Lincoln’s Funeral Train will take place in the Statehouse Crypt at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Abraham Lincoln historian, John Ward, will provide an educational presentation utilizing stories, artifacts and educational materials. Each presentation is a half hour in length.

~~~~~~~~
12.
Stop by the Clean Air Fair Wednesday April 30 from 11am to 1pm in the Arena District's Battelle Plaza, corner of Front St. & Nationwide Blvd during your lunch break, featuring:

· Free ice cream and music thanks to CD101.

· Hybrid cars thanks to Clean Fuels Ohio and Central Ohio Toyota Dealers.

· Great raffle prizes, including a new bike thanks to Cyclist Connection; and gift certificates thanks to Buca di Beppo, Chipotle, Consider Biking, Cotters Restaurant, Earth Share of Ohio, Frog Bear & Wild Boar Bar, Gordon Biersch, Max & Erma's, Rise & Dine Restaurant, and V Power Yoga.

· 15 exhibitors, including organizations representing the health, environmental and transportation sectors—emphasizing the importance of clean air.

· Clean Air Awards presentation at Noon, awarding three local businesses/individuals for their dedication to reducing air pollution in central Ohio. To view those winners click here.

· A press conference following the Clean Air Awards from The Breathing Association, announcing their new Clear the Air Initiative.

~~~~~~~~
13. “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!” Awesome movie. And, hosted by Mike Brown? What could be better?

Wex Up Next
Wexner Center for the Arts

Network

GenWex Presents: Reel Politics

THU, MAY 1, 2008
The Wexner Center for the Arts

Reception at 5:30 in the Lower Lobby
Film screening at 7:00 in the Film/Video Theater

GenWex Presents: Reel Politics, a gathering for politically minded conversation and friendly debate before a screening one of the greatest political films of all time, Sidney Lumet’s Network (1976).

As the election season heats up, it seems everyone (red, blue, or other) has politics on the brain, including us. Your hosts for the evening are some of the city’s leading political types: Mike Brown, press secretary for Columbus’s mayor, Mike Coleman, and Jim Coleman, from the environmental group Ohio’s Tomorrow. No matter where your political allegiance lays, this is sure to be a strong ticket.

The reception which is free and open to all with a cash bar, begins at 5:30 PM. (RSVP here)

The film (which is ticketed) screens at 7 PM.

Wexner Center for the Arts
The Ohio State University
1871 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43210-1393
(614) 292-3535

Receive other Wexner Center e-mail alerts

Forward to a friend

Unsubscribe

~~~~~~~~
14. The Ohio State University’s African American Alumni Reunion scheduled for the weekend of May 2-4, 2008. http://www.alumni-osu.org/aaas/ Thanks so much and Go Bucks!

~~~~~~~~
15. Upcoming WACC Young Professionals Networking Events!
*May Golf Clinic hosted by Little Turtle Golf Club

Thursday, May 8
5400 Little Turtle Way, Westerville, 43081
5-6 p.m.: Golf lesson by Little Turtle Pro, Alecia Larsen
6-7p.m.: Cash bar and appetizers available
$20 stakeholder/$30 non-stakeholder

All ages and skill levels are welcome. Both men and women are encouraged to participate.
Space is limited, registration required.

~~~~~~~~
17. Senator Stivers has asked that I reach out to the Columbus YP community to see if there is any interest in testifying in support of legislation that he has introduced. The legislation, Senate Bill 115, increases the ability of adult Ohioans under the age of 30 to obtain health insurance by allowing unmarried adults to remain covered by their parent’s health insurance if their employer does not offer coverage or if they are full time students.

If any YPs are interested in testifying, they should give me a call. I can help guide them through the process and make it as painless as possible. I think that this a good way to provide visibility for Columbus’ vibrant YP community.

I have attached Senator Stivers’ sponsor testimony that provides a summary of the legislation. (see attached “Sponsor testimony.doc”)

Thanks.
Steve Tugend
Vice President, Government Relations
Columbus Chamber
steve_tugend@columbus.org
Office: 614-225-6943
Cell: 614-354-9634

~~~~~~~~
18. CALL FOR BOOK DONATIONS FOR COLUMBUS BOOKS TO PRISONERS PROJECT

Red Bird Books To Prisoners is a Columbus based organization dedicated to sending books and educational materials to incarcerated individuals who need them. As the number of prisoners in the United States grows (now 1 out of every 100 adults in the country, as you may have seen in the news recently), and the educational services and facilities open to them remain uneven and inadequate at best, our group faces a greater and greater demand for books. The Project is seeking book donations of all kinds. If you have a musty closet full of old books--- please consider donating them. Books can be dropped off at the Spore Infoshop at 172 E 5th ave or Betty's Restaurant in the Short North on High Street; or, a pickup can be arranged by calling Jim Straub at 614.429.0324. The books most commonly requested are dictionaries, reference materials of all kinds, legal books and textbooks. That said, just about any and all book donations are sure to meet a need for someone somewhere.
Thank you,
Red Bird Books To Prisoners

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks!
Andrea J. Applegate
Director, Workforce Development - Attract & Retain Talent
ColumbusChamber
go†ahead
37 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 432156
14/225-6900 (office)

Posted by Robert Bickis on April 15th, 2008 4:45 PMPost a Comment (0)

Scioto Mile Groundbreaking Monday
April 11th, 2008 11:30 AM

Community and Business Leaders to Break Ground

on Scioto Mile Park

Long-held community dream will become reality

(Columbus)  The Scioto Mile will be a signature park for the community and will transform the riverfront into an active, urban amenity, attracting people from the entire region. The park will play an essential role in the revitalization of downtown – attracting and complementing residential development, boosting property values and stimulating commercial growth. The public and private sectors have joined together in an historic 50-50 funding effort to raise the $38 million to build the Scioto Mile.


WHO:                    Mayor Michael B. Coleman
                        Michael Morris, Chairman, President and CEO, AEP
                        U.S. Representative Deborah Pryce
                        State Senator Steve Stivers
                        Franklin County Commission President Marilyn Brown
                        City Council President Michael Mentel
                        Guy Worley, President and CEO, CDDC

WHAT:           Groundbreaking for the Scioto Mile riverfront park

WHEN:           Monday, April 14

          11 a.m.

WHERE:          Bicentennial Park
                        Corner of Civic Center Drive and Rich Street

MEDIA PARKING:  Parking will be reserved for media trucks within Bicentennial Park. Access to the Park will be off Civic Center, just south of Rich Street.

Posted by Robert Bickis on April 11th, 2008 11:30 AMPost a Comment (0)

What Green Really Means | Spice Bar 4-10-08
April 10th, 2008 12:50 PM
Posted by Robert Bickis on April 10th, 2008 12:50 PMPost a Comment (0)

Condo market better in city than 'burbs - WOSU report
April 8th, 2008 4:09 PM
Condo market better in city than 'burbs
Mandie Trimble
COLUMBUS, OH (2008-04-04) For many people the housing market is not the best place to be right now. It's almost inevitable that at least once a day one will hear something about home foreclosures, the credit crunch and the R word - that's recession. In this report, WOSU takes a look at how the nation's economy is affecting the condominium market in Franklin County.

A construction worker cuts a piece of granite just outside an unfinished condominium at Harrison Park. He's about to hand it off to another worker who will glue it to the back splash in the kitchen.

Harrison Park sits on a former industrial site in Columbus's Harrison West.

Eric Casto is the marketing and sales director for Wagenbrenner Development - the group heading up the project. Casto said this particular unit will be ready for occupancy in about a month.

"Has this unit already been sold? Is it a pre-sale? This unit is indeed a pre-sale unit. We put it into contract recently. She was lucky enough to get in in time to make some choices remaining in the unit," Casto said.

Harrison Park has 90 of what the company calls lofts. Two-thirds of the condo-style units are already sold. Casto said the early stages of this project started around 2003. And construction began in 2005.
He said the company was lucky to have started this development when it did - at the tail end of the most recent housing boom.

"We've been extremely fortunate in the sense that we have not been dramatically affected by a sales standpoint, although it keeps you on your toes," Casto said.

Ken Gold is the director of the Center for Real Estate Research and Education at Ohio State University. Gold said he's not surprised that a condominium community in Harrison West is doing so well. He said that's because areas near downtown Columbus are the hot place to be right now. Gold said downtown condos attract young professionals, who are often first-time home buyers, empty-nesters and people new to city. He said it's condos in the suburbs that will be tough to sell.

"You'll find in a Gahanna there being more condominiums on the market that are available that are typically three years old or younger and there's not a lot of people looking to purchase them," Gold said.

While it may be easier for someone trying to sell a condo in say Victorian Village or Short North, Gold said it's going to take longer - everywhere. But sale prices in the suburbs could suffer.

There are a lot of condos for sell in the Franklin County area. Right now there are about 2,700 on the market. And there are plenty of new developments being built - even in this slow economy. Gold said developers are "optimists." He said they always think they can market their project better than the guy across the street. But Gold said lots of times it's too late for builders to get out of a project - the land's been purchased, the financing is in place. As a result, a lot of condos - especially ones in the suburbs languish in the MLS listings.

Gabe Gayhart knows all too well what it's like to sell a condo in the suburbs. It took him eight months to sell his Reynoldsburg condo when he got married to his wife, Melissa.

"And I had to lower the price a few different times to get people to come in to look at it. And in that period I only had maybe four people look at it," Gayhart said.

When he and his wife got married they each owned a condo. So Gayhart moved into his wife's renovated, one-bedroom unit on Buttles Avenue in Victorian Village. But they want to move to the suburbs. They need more room. She's having a baby. Their condo has been on the market for two months with no offers.

Gayhart's hoping they do not have to lower the price on this condo like he did with his in Reynoldsburg. But they've made an offer on a house.

"And if that moves forward we may have to be a little more aggressive with the sale," Gayhart said.

Neil Rogers is the sales and marketing vice president for Bob Webb Group - a local developer that's been around for about 50 years. Rogers said he too has worked through several economic down times. One of Bob Webb's large condo projects is on Hayden Run Road. Rogers said he's not too worried about the economy affecting their condo sells.

"It's impacting everybody, and I won't deny that. But we've been able to hold our own. We're doing pretty well right now. So I think we figure we've got to weather probably another year to year and a half," Rogers said.

In the meantime, Rogers said they're doing what a lot of builders are doing right now and that's trying to maintain their projects until the economy heads back up again.

"Well, you obviously have to be more aggressive. You've got to watch all your costs more than you did before. You still market, but you pull back a bit. You don't spend the dollars you used to spend when marketing at the top of the market," Rogers said.

For now, it looks like everyone involved in the condo market including developers like Neil Rogers will have little bit longer till they can breathe a sigh of relief.

"But I think when everything shakes out we'll be back on a good track again. You have to look at the news everyday (laughter) you look at it and you go, oh no, not again," Rogers said.
Posted by Robert Bickis on April 8th, 2008 4:09 PMPost a Comment (0)

April - Earth Month Events
April 3rd, 2008 2:08 PM

April is Earth Month, so Get Busy

Two years ago Earth Day came and went in Columbus without much notice.  Flash forward to April 2008 and green activities are bubbling up all over this town, especially during Earth Week.  So, we wanted to send you all a note to highlight some of the goings on, which kick-off with a Green Gallery Hop in the Short North this Saturday and culminate with Earth Day 2008: Now Get Busy! on April 26.

Saturday, April 5
• Green Gallery Hop - 6-10 pm, Short North

Thursday, April 17
• Year of the Frog Lecture - 7 pm, Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Rd.

Earth Week
Saturday, April 19
• Bodhi's Earth Day Celebration - 9 am-5 pm, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd
• Easton’s “Going, Going Green” - 11am-4pm, Easton Town Center
• Our 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - 10am-4pm, Whole Foods Market (Dublin), 3670 W. Dublin-Granville Rd

Sunday, April 20
• Our 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – 10am-4pm, Whole Foods Market (OSU), 1555 W. Lane Ave.
• Eco V-Day – 1-4pm, Main Oval at The Ohio State University

Tuesday, April 22
• OEC Annual Environmental Lobby Day - 8:30am-6pm, Ohio Statehouse www.theoec.org
• Earth Day Movie Event – 6-11pm, Studio 35, 3055 Indianola Ave.
• 5% Day Supporting Now Get Busy! – 8am-10pm, Whole Foods Market (Dublin & OSU)
• 365 Product Exchange - Whole Foods Market (Dublin & OSU)

Wednesday, April 23
• Girls Night Out: Green Girl Power - 6-9pm, Whole Foods Market (Dublin), 3670 W. Dublin-Granville Rd

Thursday, April 24
• GEO Renewable Energy Showcase - 8:30am-4:30pm, Riffe Center, 55 E. State Street, www.greenenergyohio.org
• Earth Day Benefit Concert (April Green Drinks) - tbd

Friday, April 25
• Arbor Day Celebration - 11am-1pm, Columbus Recreation and Parks 1111 E. Broad St.
• 5 After 5 Green Gala - 5-7pm, Whole Foods Market (Dublin & OSU)

Saturday, April 26
• Aveda Conservation Benefit - Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd.
• Rainforest Action Network “It’s Easy Being Green” - 7-10pm, Baila, 208 S. Wall St.
• Earth Day 2008: Now Get Busy! - 8am-noon worksites at various locations, noon-7pm, Goodale Park, www.nowgetbusy.org

Hope to see many of you out and about this month.

Team Green Drinks

Posted by Robert Bickis on April 3rd, 2008 2:08 PMPost a Comment (0)
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