Columbus Day will be upon us before you know it. Traditionally observed the second Monday of October, the holiday celebrates the discovery of Ohio in particular Columbus, Ohio by the navigationally challenged explorer Vasco De Gama. That’s not really true. De Gama was instrumental in the development of the x-ray machine. Columbus, Ohio was discovered by Christopher Columbus, hence the name. Read More »
It would seem that summer has finally arrived in Ohio and while temperatures in the mid to upper 80’s and low 90’s might seem insignificant to the majority of people in America, it’s the humidity that’s bothering us. We’re Ohioans, we don’t do humidity! Besides, it frizzes my hair. The most logical alternative is to stay indoors in very close proximity to an air-conditioner and a well stocked refrigerator.
I’m not logical. (I blame the kids–they incapacitate the area of my brain responsible for rational thought.)
Summer is officially full on! June is quickly becoming a memory (it’s been two whole days now) and it’s time to turn focus to July. July is a special month for us as a nation for in this month we celebrate one of the most significant events in our short history. My birthday!
Some like to think that the parades and fireworks displays, backyard barbecues, cookouts and community gatherings centered around the July 4th weekend are in celebration of our nation’s independence. Whatever helps you sleep at night, friends. That stuff is for me!
Actually, it’s not. My special day isn’t until the 10th. Fact is, Read More »
Officially, summer does not begin for a few more weeks. June 21, I believe, is the Summer Solstice and it marks the official beginning. Unofficially, summer begins in just a few days—when school lets out! In about two weeks though, parents all over the country who have been looking forward to the academic reprieve that summer affords and the opportunity to renew quality bonds with their children will be wondering what the heck they were thinking!
Summertime can be draining on parents.
Fortunately, summertime also marks the beginning of concert season in Columbus and there is nothing better than a good show to recharge tired minds. It’s a chance to let your hair down (if you still have any), soak up some local flavor and quite frankly, act like a kid again. Away from the kids. Call the sitter and make plans for a night out. You owe yourself.
Concert Photo by AndiH
There are many local venues with excellent local and regional acts making their way through our fair city this summer. The larger venues: Value City Arena, Nationwide Arena, and Lifestyles Community Pavilion (The LC) have some great artists lined up. Here’s a brief rundown.
The weekend of March 6-8 Columbus, Ohio welcomes back (for the 21rst year) the Arnold Sports Festival. Yeah, that Arnold.
The festival is the largest multi-sport showcase in the nation with over 17,000 athletes competing in 37 different events, 11 recognized as Olympic sports.
The three day event takes place in several downtown venues, The Greater Columbus Convention Center, Veterans Memorial, Nationwide Arena and The Ohio Expo Center. The $10 Expo Ticket will grant you admission to most of the daytime events at all of the venues and there is a complimentary shuttle, The Arnold Shuttle, that will take care of getting you to and from the different sites.
Here’s a few tips to make your Arnold Sports Festival weekend extra special:
Don’t look for cotton candy in the vendors area. It won’t be there. On the other hand, if a high protein soy milk shake with flax meal and a banana makes you tingly, there’s a pretty good chance you will find it or something very similar. There are hundreds of vendors with information on the latest sports nutrition, supplements, fashion and equipment.
If you’ve ever wondered how long it would take a guy to carry a 415 kg refrigerator/freezer over a 30 meter course, you may just find out. That’s right, the Arnold Sports Festival is one of the three venues of the famous Strongman Competition. Preliminary rounds are scheduled Friday and Saturday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
You Need Big Balls for a Strongman Competition
If someone asks you to hold their apple–don’t do it!
Just stand still...
Don’t make fun of any guys wearing pajamas. There is a martial arts competition and these guys know seventeen different ways to remove your spleen with their bare hands and a big toe.
He will break you!
It is important to distinguish the difference between grappling and haggling. Should you decide to grapple it is also VITALLY important that you understand how to “Tap-Out”.
Say Uncle! Say Uncle!
Although the competition is fierce in the Killerspin Table Tennis World Tour I believe games are still to 21 and not “to the death”.
I'm still not going to challenge her.
Zoro will not be at the Arnold Sports Festival. Zagunis will. Mariel Zagunis won Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008 in the saber competition and is scheduled to appear.
She can make a Z--I guarantee it!
Licking your opponents hand during the arm wrestling competition may give them enough of a startle to give you an edge, but I would advise against it. Anyone who competes in a sport that carries nicknames like Mecca of Muscle or Titans of Arm Sports is not to be taken lightly.
The Mecca of Muscle!
Clean-and-Jerk and the Snatch are weightlifting events. I’m just saying… there’s a big difference between weightlifting and porn.
Though there is quite a bit of heavy breathing in both.
The Body Building is not a venue, it’s a competition and though just a small part of the 3 day Arnold Sports Festival it is certainly what has made the Festival famous for 21 years running.
He didn't know about the free Arnold Shuttle
Like Arnold, the Arnold Sports Festival is big and it’s busy. Be sure to check out the schedule of events prior to your arrival and plan your days accordingly. At $10, the Individual Day Expo Admission is the most economical way to experience the Festival. Children 10 years and younger are free but be aware that strollers are not permitted in the venues. Look for tickets here–there are also several packages and special events tickets available.
When you live in the north, or if you are planning a visit, you need winter weather options. Backup plans. Alternatives. It’s cold in Ohio and the prolonged winter weather is only slightly more tolerable than a colonoscopy. Don’t ask me how I know this, just trust me. The Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, OH thankfully falls into that pleasant category of most enjoyable of alternatives.
The Franklin Park Conservatory is close to downtown but on a large enough parcel, 90 acres, that you don’t feel the cramps of being in the big city. The park has a really cool outdoor amphitheater and several times during the year hosts concert events. There are two play areas and several picnic areas. A paved path around and through the park is perfect for a jog, walk, bike ride or roller blading.
But, baby it’s cold outside! Remember?
Thankfully, The Conservatory is plenty warm. The Victorian styled glass Palm House, the Park’s most distinguishing feature, was erected in 1895 following inspiration from the Chicago World’s Fair a few years prior. The conservatory has grown over the years to approximately 73,000 square feet of greenhouses and botanical exhibits. According to their website, there are over 400 species of plants and over 40 species of palms. I can only attest to several. I did not count.
There's a lot of plants at the Conservatory. Several!
Cactus plants in The Desert Zone--several species.
There are also several annual exhibitions: The Orchid Forest (currently running through March 1), Blooms and Butterflies (beginning mid-March) and a Holiday Exhibit (scheduled coincidentally around the holiday season).
The orchids were as billed; in bloom and pretty.
Pretty Purple Orchids
The Conservatory is divided into several temperate zones or regions with plants typical of each area. The walkways are wide and clear, though there are a few areas with steps. You’ll want to keep that in mind if visiting with small kids in strollers, or older kids with bum knees, or adults in wheelchairs, grandparents with walkers… Elevators are available but the presence of steps in some of the viewing zones limits accessibility to the full area.
The Franklin Park Conservatory offers a wide range of educational and informative classes and workshops throughout the year. It’s best to check their website for specifics prior to your visit.
As part of it’s mission, The Franklin Park Conservatory attempts to blend nature and artistic expression and rotates several exhibitions during the year. Currently, there is an exhibit entitled Bending Nature, a large-scale group showcase of 15 Ohio artists using different media.
Part of the Bending Nature Exhibit. In my defense, it did not say Do Not Touch.
There is an area in the atrium where children can have a hands on opportunity to re-create some of the installations on display.
Minutes of entertainment with interactive art.
One of the most impressive permanent displays is the artwork of Dale Chihuly. Several years ago he presented what was to be a temporary installation of his famous blown-glass artwork. The exhibit drew record numbers of visitors, so much so that the privately funded Friends of the Conservatory decided to buy the entire collection making it a permanent part of the Conservatory. It’s quite impressive.
Is that a Chihuly? No, that's a fish!
Pretty Balls!! No, those are Chihuly.
Is that a Chihuly? Yes. Now that is a Chihuly!
The newest feature of the Conservatory is probably one of the most impressive and oddly enough, best enjoyed from outside and after hours. Translation….it’s FREE!! Award winning artist James Turrell brings the historic glass Palm House to life each evening after dusk with a mesmerizing light display. A series of lights illuminate the Palm House with an array of color that is simply amazing to view. The installation, a permanent exhibit, is best viewed from the Grand Mallway west of the Palm House.
The Palm House at dusk (photo the Columbus Dispatch)
The Palm House (pink) (photo the Columbus Dispatch)
The Palm House (brightly illuminated) (photo The Columbus Dispatch)
The Franklin Park Conservatory is located at 1777 East Broad St. Columbus, OH and is open daily Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. (Wednesdays until 8:00 pm) Admission is $7.50 for adults and $4.00 for children 4-12. Parking is free and plentiful.
Unless otherwise noted the photos (and precious children) were created by Ed Lamaze.
The chill of winter is settling upon us in America’s Heartland and already we are enjoying the sequela induced by cabin fever. That’s sarcasm, people. Anyone with children surely knows that whenever you sequester five energetic and bored children to the indoors for any extended period, come springtime you’ll be needing a handyman, or a general contractor. Thank the heavens for the Central Ohio Metro Park System.
Metro Parks operates 15 parks year round in seven Central Ohio counties. Educational and recreational opportunities abound for patrons of all ages and best of all, facilities and the programs are available free of charge. Thanks, voters. Don’t get the wrong idea about that statement. According to the park executive director, the Columbus (Franklin County) Metro Parks system has the largest land area, 23,500 acres, of any of the parks in Ohio but by far the lowest per resident expenditure (less than $20 a year per resident) and lowest tax millage. The Metro Parks system enables anyone to enjoy Ohio wildlife and nature year round.
Grace and Mary Innis Inniswood Gardens
Shag Bark Hickory at Inniswood Metro Gardens
What’s more enticing, is that the Metro Parks are conveniently located in you own backyard, there’s no need to travel far for a perfect wintertime getaway. And with literally hundreds of programs and activities scheduled this winter, you’re sure to find something to your liking.
Winter Hiking Series at Metro Parks
Nature programs will teach young and old how the animals survive the cold Ohio winters. Twelve of the fifteen parks have designated pet trails. It’s not just Susie and Billie with cabin fever. Fido and Fluffy need to get out, too. There are over 140 miles of trails to explore. The annual Winter Hikes Series will be kicking off Saturdays in January and February. Guided or self-guided hikes are available with refreshments and for the hearty–a decorative patch if you complete at least seven of the thirteen scheduled hikes.
When conditions are favorable most of the parks have cross country skiing trails. Several others have excellent hills for sledding: Batelle Darby Creek, Blacklick Woods Golf Courses, Highbanks, Sharon Woods or Blendon Woods (kids only). Call the park office, 614-891-0700 to verify conditions are right. Batelle Darby Creek and Blendon Woods also offer skating ponds.
Diehard golfers will be happy to know that Blacklick Woods Golf Course is open year round. From November through March it’s not necessary to call for a tee time though you may want to call the pro shop and verify that the course is actually playable. 614-861-3193.
Don’t let the chill of winter keep you locked indoors. Now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the wonder of nature. The cool air and serenity of a secluded trail can be invigorating. Columbus’ Metro Parks offer the perfect wintertime escape and just what the doctor ordered for that nasty case of cabin fever.
Hiking the Snow Covered Trails
Park hours are generally 6:30 am until dark. Click here for specifics. Photos: Ed Lamaze, and courtesy of Charmaine Gray, Diana Morse and Kim Leach via ParkScope Metro Parks Guide.
