Columbus

You need help: Social media experts to the rescue

by Jay on October 27, 2011

I’ve just begun my little adventure into the world of social media. Although I have actually blogged for about 3  years on various sites and platforms, I’ve had a facebook page for a while, I’ve been creating videos for years, I feel like I’m starting all over again.

What do I do?

I think that the best way to learn more about social media is to experiment with
amys1 You need help: Social media experts to the rescue it. With twitter, facebook, forsquare, gowalla, yelp, etc., your mind could just explode. But have fun with it!

But I need help Jay!

Don’t we all? There are a few sites that I regularly check and that I subscribe to their RSS. My favorite social media site is by a Columbus phenomena, Amy Schmittauer from Savvy Sexy Social.

Sure her site is pretty, and you might think her target audience is female, but you would be wrong. Don’t despair guys….she has TONS of information on all facets of social media. She is a true expert and you would be very smart to start following this superstar.

Make sure you check out her videos, she is amazing. And be very sure to get on her mailing list for her knowledge to land right in your inbox.

Believe me,  you will love her!

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Expanding your horizons

by Jay on August 24, 2011

Diversity by CrowsBloodxItachi 300x225 Expanding your horizonsColumbus is lucky to offer its citizens a wide variety of opportunities to escape from their comfort zones. Often, too many of us that live in the suburbs of any city tend to stick to that area. Why is that a problem? Think of everything we are missing!

With  growing Latino and African populations within the Columbus area, our residents have more opportunities than ever to get out there and try something new.

One place that I like to frequent is called La Michoacana. While I tend to go to the location on Morse Rd., there are approximately 7 locations throughout the area.

La Michoacana sells a wide variety of products that one might find in a Latin American tienda. They offer produce, a butcher, food, drinks, and other products at very good prices.

My favorite part is the restaurant inside. While it is relatively small, I have never had any trouble getting a table. Service is always quick. Food is always fantastic. And the waitresses do know enough English to deal with their non-Spanish-speaking customers.

I highly suggest that you give it a try sometime. I’d like to explore some of the African cuisine that CBUS offers in the near future. What about you?

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Columbus area dog parks

by Jay on August 22, 2011

As school has once again arrived in Central Ohio, the days of nice summer weather are starting to tick away off the calendar just as quickly as our summer seemed to pass. With many schools in the area beginning a week or more earlier that normal, I know that it seems to me that it should be fall already. I’m already thinking about rearranging my wardrobe so my fall and winter clothes aredog by batueritenel d169b4o2 300x225 Columbus area dog parks
 more accessible.

But even though it feels like it should be getting cold soon, it is still August and as I was reminded this weekend when my air conditioner decided to stop working, there is still plenty of warm weather to enjoy.

You probably already know from reading my posts that I am a huge animal lover. Who else shares a condo with three cats and two dogs? Am I the crazy cat lady in male form? Perhaps.

Central Ohio offers so many activities for pets that most of us never seem to take advantage of properly. With our lifestyles seeming to be filled with 24/7 work, we often think, who has the time?

You do! We all do.

The following is a brief list of wonderful dog parks where you can take Fido to socialize and run off some of that pent up energy. To check out a great listing of dog friendly places, Columbus Dog Goes is a great place to begin.

These are but only a few of the places that I am familiar with and have frequented on occasion.

Alum Creek Dog Park is by far my favorite place to take my dogs. Not only is it a state park, and thus free to the public, it has three large areas for the dogs to run. There are the common large and small dog sections, but it also has a fantastic area where dogs are able to swim in a safe area of Alum Creek Lake. It truly is a fantastic park.

Brooksedge Bark Park is located in northern suburb of Westerville. This too is free to the public, as it is a park maintained by the city of Westerville. While not as large as Alum Creek, it is a nice park that is well kept and many people take their dogs there. You will almost always find a group of other dogs for little Fido to meet.

Highbanks Metro Park offers trails that are great to walk for both owner and dog. Your pup will have to remain on leash while in this park, but it is a quite beautiful area.

These are only a few of many dog parks in Columbus and the surrounding areas. Our city is very animal-friendly and I hope that you take advantage of these great places.

Are there other parks/places that I should give a try?

 

 

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Columbus farmer markets

by Jay on August 19, 2011

farmers market by francheskuhh 150x150 Columbus farmer markets All throughout central Ohio, residents are able to partake in the labors of their, neighbors, family, and even strangers. Columbus, and surrounding areas, are fortunate to have so many different options to eat locally-grown food at various venues.

Farmers markets are a fantastic way to sample the culinary delights of the Columbus area. There are several popular ones and the following is but just a small selection.

In today’s post, I’ll focus on the northern parts of our beautiful city.

Clintonville – available every Saturday from 9:00-12:00 pm.

Westerville - takes place every Saturday from from 10:00-1:00 pm and Wednesday fron 3:00-6:00 pm.

Worthington - they have a summer and winter market available on Saturdays.

Dublin - takes place on Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30 pm.

Sunbury - available on Saturdays from 9:00-12:00 pm.

New Albany – has a set schedule. On Tuesdays you can take advantage of this market from 11:00-2:00 pm and on Wednesdays from 4:00-7:00 pm.

The monthly schedule of activities at the Market include:

1st Saturday – Health and Fitness

2nd Saturday – Arts and Crafts

3rd Saturday – Pets, Pets, Pets

4th Saturday – Kid Zone

In an upcoming post, other areas of cbus will be explored as well as other opportunities to sample.

Do you try to make it out to these markets? What types of foods and goods do you purchase and how do you use these products in your home?

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A beer and some volleyball

by Jay on August 14, 2011

vladik the goat by macgreen d3dnpcl 241x300 A beer and some volleyball

I’m not much of a drinker and certainly could stand to do a little more exercise. Living in New Albany, Ohio, it seems like there are lots of “beautiful people” all around outside walking, biking, jogging, and playing volleyball.
If you are from this area, you more than likely are familiar with The Goat. I like to think of it as the local watering hole for the barbies and kens of New Albany that are fresh out of the newest Abercrombie and Fitch magazine.
Don’t get me wrong. I wish I looked a little more like that.
However, The Goat is much more than a bar. It has a tremendous beach volleyball court, a pool, and a killer outdoor patio area.
Rain or shine, this bar is full of life. I’ve seen games being played in the rain and muddy sand. They are hard core and truly understand the concept of having fun.
If you are in the area, give it a try. Its a great place to meet new people and catch a game of competitive volleyball.
What’s your favorite watering hole?

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You too can help

by Jay on May 28, 2011

maggie 223x300 You too can helpWe can’t save the world as individuals, so should we even try?  If you are like me, then you probably spend a lot of your free time browsing the web looking at all of the dogs out there that have one simple thing in common.  They need a home.  Statistics are alarming and I could cite to you how many dogs are euthanized each and everyday simply because one of us that surfed a site like petfinder saw one of these precious animals, but didn’t act.

Maybe we had a lunch date with a friend, thought that perhaps we would get to it tomorrow, or simply concluded that the problem is so big that it really won’t change.  I’m here to tell you that, we have all felt that way and we are all guilty of not doing enough.

Not everyone is an animal lover.  For some, having pet hair around the house is not endearing.  Maybe you already have a dog and that is all that you can handle. That’s OK.  That doesn’t make you a bad person.  It doesn’t even make you selfish.

But what is the “animal-friendly” or “animal-neutral” person to do?  There is still so much that you can do.

  1. If you do have room in your heart, but don’t want a pet, you certainly can foster.  There are many animals out there that need a second chance and a temporary house until they find their forever homes.
  2. You can donate time to an animal shelter or animal rescue group.  This doesn’t mean that you must go and clean cages and perform all of the “dirty work.”  You don’t even have to be an official volunteer.  If you have some extra time each week, stop by your local shelter and just play with the dogs and cats.  They crave attention.  And you might just find that giving of yourself is more of a rewarding experience that you realized.
  3. Donate what you are able to a shelter or rescue group.  No donation is too small and you might be shocked to find out how far your donation can go to helping an animal in need.

These are just a few ways that you can help make a difference in a problem that many times feels overwhelming.  Its alright to look at the dogs and cats out there that need homes, even if you are not able to adopt each and every one of them.  But just don’t forget to do what you can and don’t turn a blind eye to the problem.

There are many great organizations that would benefit greatly from your time and/or money.  You can find a list of animal shelters by state by clicking here.  If you would like to help a specific breed of dog, you can find that information on the AKC website.  If you happen to live in the Franklin County, Ohio area, you should check out an organization called Friends of the Shelter that I have recently begun working with that provides medical care for dogs in the Franklin County Dog Shelter.  If nothing else, do a quick google search to find a group close to you.

With very little time and/or money, you can make a huge difference in the lives of so many animals.  But don’t wait…start today!

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Winter storm 2011

by Jay on February 2, 2011

5410759606 ff2607b24a Winter storm 2011

This is what it looks like outside in Columbus, Ohio.  Everything is frozen and many people have no power.  Luckily, my power did not go out or I would be screwed.  It would be hard for me to stare at my blank white walls.  I have no patience.

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The Goat of New Albany

by Jay on August 14, 2010

CIMG0196 150x150 The Goat of New AlbanyA pretty happening place in New Albany is part of the Life Styles Community New Albany Park called “The Goat.”  The Goat Bar & Tavern is a great place for people in that are of New Albany to spend a sunny afternoon, or a nice summer evening.  Why?  This place has a pool, sand volleyball court, and an outdoor bar.

The crowd looks to be generally younger, probably in the 20s-40s age.  Not only do they offer alcohol (if that is your thing), but they serve food and have volleyball leagues.  If you are in the area, stop and check it out.  It is located on New Albany Road West in New Albany Park.

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