If you haven’t heard of Experience Columbus Days, your in for a treat. Its the weekend you can get 50% off select attractions around Columbus and 25% off at Dine Originals Columbus restaurants.

Columbus Attractions: 50% off

That’s Right! Half off over 20 of the best attractions around Columbus including Columbus Zoo, COSI, Columbus Food Adventures, SegAway Tours of Columbus and many more. Click here for a complete list and print the flyer and take with you to get the discount.

Dine Originals Restaurants: 25% off

Be sure you download and print the flyer to get the discount

For more information visit ExperienceColumbusDays.com

This November a new Levy for Columbus Metropolitan Library with be on the ballot. In the current state of our economy the library is a critical piece for many searching for jobs and trying to get a better education. Take a few moments to review the information on the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) levy campaign website.

Now more than ever, residents rely on the Columbus Metropolitan Library for books, research, internet access, job searches, homework assistance and other services they need daily.

In 24 years, our library has not increased its 2.2 mill levy, the library’s only local tax support. Due to state budget cuts, our library has had to make $11 million in responsible reductions including reducing pay, cutting staff by 160 positions, deferring maintenance and cutting hours including closing branches on Sundays (excluding the Main library).

The library needs our help to continue to provide services that our community needs.

The issue replaces the 2.2 mills first passed in 1986 and adds 0.6 mills to help balance the budget. It’s an additional $5.24 per month per $100,000 of home value.

The November ballot issue is a necessity to help us provide and protect those services. Without it, we could lose up to 75% of our funding and potentially close HALF our libraries.

Hope this information helps you make an informed decision on issue 4 this November.

Have you ever sat down and watched a movie and said….”I can do that!”?

Well, that’s exactly what hundreds of Columbus-area residents do each year during the annual 48 Hour Film Project. Filmmaking teams gather all around the city and in a mere 48 hours, they do just that.

Each year the 48 Hour Film Project, the world’s largest film-making competition, visits nearly 90 cities challenging teams to complete an entire film from writing, casting, filming, editing and submitting in a mere 48 hours. The challenge will be hitting Columbus, Ohio from August 13 to August 15th, 2010.

This year, Columbus will be one of a record 87 cities worldwide competing in the 48 Hour Film Project. Here is the Columbus 48HFP Page.

Filmmaking teams of all levels begin at 7PM on a Friday and deliver a finished 4 to 7 minute film by 7:30PM Sunday. Each team is assigned a genre, character, prop, and line of dialogue that they must work into their film. They are responsible for putting together a cast and crew and getting equipment and anything else necessary to make a film/video in just a weekend. Any team, regardless of skill level, is eligible to participate in this competition.

“We challenge the filmmakers not only with the tight deadline, but with the last minute assignment of a film genre and required elements such as a prop and a line of dialogue,” said Mark Ruppert, co-executive producer of the 48 Hour Film Project. “We’re always eager to see the creative work that the project inspires.”

The 48 Hour Film Project is the oldest and largest timed film competition in the world.  The Project’s mission is to advance filmmaking and promote filmmakers. The tight 48-hour deadline puts the focus squarely on the filmmaking, emphasizing creativity and teamwork and “doing” instead of “talking.” The emphasis is also on building communities of local creative people – - facilitating making new connections, showcasing skills and celebrating what creativity and teamwork can accomplish in just one weekend.

Think you might be interested in joining the filmmaking fun? Check out the details below and visit the Columbus 48HFP page for more info.

Interested in becoming the next Spielberg or Streep but don’t have a team? The Columbus site (Columbus 48HFP Page) has info on a fun meetup on Wednesday, July 28th from 7 to 10 pm at the Park Street Patio for people looking for teams and teams looking for help. Can’t make that meet-up? There is also a link to list yourself for teams that are looking for members and help. Don’t be left out….check it out!

Here is how it all works:

Sign-Up
Teams sign-up at the 48HFP website and pay a $155 registration fee (early bird special of $135 until midnight July 19th).

KickOff
THE COMPETITION STARTS HERE:
8/13/2010 6:00pm (Teams Leave at 7pm)
Movie Big Shots Studio, 753 Harmon Avenue, Columbus
Teams meet here and they will be given a genre, a character, a prop and a line of dialogue that they must work into their film.

48 Hours of Film Making Bliss
Teams meet and plan the events of the next 48 hours to produce their film. Write, cast, film, edit, compose and put in a format to turn in.

The Turn-In
THE COMPETITION ENDS HERE (TEAMS SUBMIT THE FILM THEY’VE CREATED):
8/15/2010 7:30
Gateway Film Center, 1550 N. High Street, Columbus
*Films submitted even one minute late will be disqualified.

Public Screenings
All submitted films will be screened for the public at The Gateway Film Center at 1550 N. High Street on August 18 and 19 at 6:30pm and 8:30pm.

Judging
A panel of experts will judge the films and the top films will screen again at a later date. The winning film from Columbus will be in the running for top honors at an International Film Event called Filmapalooza, the 48 Hour Film Project’s annual awards. The top 12 international 48HFP films will screen at the Cannes Short Film Corner in 2011.

And the Winners Are
The Columbus Best Film is awarded a trophy, is screened at the 48HFP Filmapalooza, and receives a $1,000 camera and gear rental from OhioHDVideo to use in their next production. The Filmapalooza Grand Prize winner receives $3000 cash, filmmaking equipment, and the Grand Prize Trophy.

Last year Columbus had 36 films submitted. The overall total films submitted in all cities was an impressive 3,000 films in 76 cities.

So, what are you waiting for?  If you’ve ever sat in a theater and thought: “I could make a better movie!“ — NOW is the time to go for it!

Who knows? Your next stop just may be the red carpet.

For More Information Please Contact:

Columbus 48HFP City Producer
KC ALLEN :: columbus@48hourfilm.com
419-434-0916 or 419-722-0824

Columbus 48HFP Associate City Producer
AMBER MIKESELL :: ammikesell@yahoo.com

www.48hourfilm.com

A friend of mine contacted me a few hours ago to inform me that Andyman from CD101FM had passed, because she knew that I knew him.

I didn’t believe her.

Andyman was such a staple in the Columbus community. I met him shortly after moving to Columbus when I had my first internship at CD101, and it was impossible for me to avoid him ever after, because his presence is so visible in this city that we were bound to run in to each other at least once a week.

But it was confirmed this evening that Andyman drowned while on vacation with his family in Michigan. Right now, I’m listening to the station’s tribute to him, and Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah is bringing me to tears.

The last time I saw Andy was a few weeks ago, when James and I interviewed him for the launch of Tappedin.tv. Andy, at a beer fest, commanding a room in his element…

RIP Andyman. One look at Twitter or Facebook right now shows how much you meant to Columbus.

I don’t really have words right now to articulate what Columbus lost. But I have no doubt that his legacy will live on.

More on his passing on CD101.com

What will you always remember about Andyman?

Looking for a fun, affordable weekend trip this summer? Check out Yellow Springs! This cute, hippy town is about an hour drive from Columbus and is filled with things to do. Here are my tips for making the most of your trip.

Where to Stay:

• There is a cute bed and breakfast called The Arthur Morgan House that is the perfect place to stay for a weekend with friends, a romantic getaway, or for business travel. The Arthur Morgan house is on an older property, but the owners have done a great job maintain the historic feel while incorporating great modern updates. The rooms and bathrooms are cute, spacious, and comfortable. There is a lovely garden surrounding the property and a nice porch and living room area to relax in. Best of all, it’s located right near downtown Yellow Springs.

Things to do in Yellow Springs:

• Shopping – If you love to shop take the time to walk around town to visit the unique shops. Many items are handmade and reasonably priced. It’s a great place to get gifts for the people in your life who seem to have everything.
• Dining – There are several dining options and most are casual fair. Peach’s Grill and Ha Ha Pizza are great places to check out. Peach’s often has live music and great drink specials. Try the hummus appetizer; it’s awesome! Ha Ha Pizza hand makes their wheat crust for each order so the wait can be long, but it’s worth it.
• Hiking – This area is surrounded by great parks and hiking trails. Check out John Bryan State Park and the Glen Helen Nature Preserve. If you live in the Cincinnati or Dayton area you can take advantage of the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail, which passes through Yellow Springs on the way from Cincinnati to Urbana.
• Activities for Kids – If you are traveling from Columbus with the kids make sure you plan some time to visit Young’s Dairy Farm. There are many great activities for families and the ice cream is awesome.

If you are still unsure of what during your stay Yellow Springs has a nice Chamber of Commerce that has public restrooms, area maps, and usually a staff member available to answer any visitor questions. There are lots of summer events in Yellow Springs so be sure to do some research before you go. I hope you get a chance to check out this unique town; happy travels!

The Fourth of July holiday falls on a Sunday so the celebrations and fireworks can be found throughout the weekend. Here is a list by date of the firework displays throughout Central Ohio.

July 2nd

• Buckeye Lake: dusk
• Red, White & Boom: Columbus: 10p downtown
• Granville: dusk downtown
• Heath: 10p Geller Park

July 3rd

• Dublin: 9:50 at Dublin Coffman High School Stadium
• Gahanna: 10p at Gahanna Municipal Golf Course
• Grove City: 10p at Beulah Park
• Groveport: dusk downtown
• Lancaster: 10:30p at Fairfield County Fairgrounds
• London: 9:45p at London High School
• New Albany: 9:45p at New Albany High School
• Newark: 10p at Ohio State University Newark
• Reynoldsburg: 9:45p at Civic Park
• Upper Arlington: dusk Northam Park
• Westerville: 10p at Alum Creek Park South

July 4th

• Clintonville: 10p at Whetsone Park
• Delaware: 10p at Ohio Wesleyan University
• Hilliard: 9:45p at Municipal Park
• Marysville: dusk Union County Fairgrounds
• Pickerington: 10p at Victory Park
• Plain City: 9:30p at Pastime Park
• Whitehall: 10p at John Bishop Park
• Worthington: 10p at Thomas Worthington High School Stadium

July 5th

• Bexley: 9:45 p.m.: Fireworks at Capital soccer field
• Sunbury: 10p at Big Walnut High School Stadium

That is exactly what Tony Castricone is about to do.

On the way to work this morning I caught Tony’s story on the radio about how he was a successful sportscaster here in the Greatest City and suddenly found himself out of a job and in a spot with so many others these days. A spot where you ask yourself. . . What’s next? For Tony Castricone, he decided to follow a dream as a musician, grab his guitar and hit the road. Sounds crazy right? Well . . yeah . . . maybe a little, but you know what they say. Nothing risked, nothing gained. And seriously, you got to admire the guy for putting it out there, going on a journey of uncertainty and doing something out of his comfort zone.

So tomorrow night (June 9th, 2010) at Callahans is the send off and CD release. From there Tony will head off on his 40 day tour where he will play at open mic every night through July 20.

For a full list of the dates and to follow along with his journey check out the 40 day tour blog. You can also help Tony by making a donation or better yet, buying some of his songs on iTunes or Amazon.

Good luck Tony.

There is a ton of art related stuff to do in Columbus this weekend!

• The Columbus Arts Festival starts today at 11:30AM and runs through Sunday at 6PM.  The festival is located in the Discovery District so while you’re there be sure to stop by the Columbus Museum of Art or check out the awesome art by CCAD students (their campus surrounds the festival).
• Saturday is the Gallery Hop in the Short North! Check out over 40 galleries and shops while walking around this awesome neighborhood. For more information visit http://www.shortnorth.org/
• Saturday is also the Short North yard sale from 9AM-3PM. So be sure to stop by and get some new treasures for your home. You can find more information about this event here: http://yardsale.shortnorthcivic.org/
• In the event you don’t want to walk around in the heat (and possibly rain) Sunday is also FREE GALLERY ADMISSION at the Wexner Center. There are some great artists featured at the Wexner right now including Mark Bradford and Zoe Strauss so be sure to make a stop before their shows are over.

I personally will be going to the arts festival and gallery hop tomorrow so if you see me out and about be sure to say hi! Whatever you decide to do have a great weekend!

ZombieWalk Columbus 2010: Raising the Dead to Feed the Living!

Photo from Creative Comments. Photographer David R. Hartley

Ever have the desire to dress like a zombie and participate in a mass street theater performance, both while raising awareness for charity? You’ll get your chance this Saturday, May 29th at 5:00 p.m.!

This almost two mile walk and mass street theatre begins and ends at Goodale Park and is opened to all. Participants are urged to bring canned food donations to be delivered to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

The official Zoombie Walk 2010 Afterparty is for Zombies 18 and over and will be held at Outland on Liberty, 95 Liberty Street, Columbus from 9a-2a. There is a $5.00 cover.

This event is definitely a site to see!

This Flash Mob video created to help promote The new Ohio Union which opened March 31, 2010 has been getting some serious attention. So in case you haven’t seen it making the rounds on a FaceBook near you, I thought I would post it here for your viewing and dancing enjoyment.