Right Now Downtown

Security Officer Draws Gun… And Elephant and Statehouse

If you look for Tim George in Google, you might find a pro football player or a county sheriff.

If you look for Tim George in the U.S. Bank at Broad and High, you’ll find Mr. Etch-A-Sketch.

By day, George is a security officer at the bank.  After hours, he’s a super human superhero, able to control the knobs of an Etch-A-Sketch with two hands.  He renders artistic masterpieces that hang in galleries all over the United States.  In fact, sixteen of his etched masterpieces will be on display in the Statehouse Crypt beginning on February 1.

The artist first picked up the toy back in 1988 when his daughter was hospitalized for heart surgery.  The Etch-A-Sketch helped him entertain the child.  In the process, George learned that he had an unusual aptitude for the toy.

George can draw just about anything with an Etch-A-Sketch: animals, people, buildings – you name it.  The manufacturer makes him special models, so the artist’s depictions can last a lifetime (the traditional toy erases with a good shake of the screen).  The upcoming exhibition features tributes to Ohio’s eight presidents, as well as symbols of Ohio and the statehouse itself.  In fact, George has a special affection for that particular building.  He says, “They’re all a challenge, but I love to do the statehouse.”

And although he’s working at the bank on the day the exhibition opens, he’ll be around the Crypt on January 31 to set up.

Can’t make the local show?  Stay tuned.  Tim George will be making an appearance with his Etch-A-Sketch on Good Morning America on Tuesday, February 19.

Who’s a sucker for successories?  Those zippy mottos are embarrassingly moving, especially this one: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

It’s time.  We’re great at talking about improvements for Downtown; and the opportunity has arrived to put life in those words.

The city of Columbus celebrates its bicentennial birthday in the year 2012.  City leaders are aiming to make ‘12 the beginning of the city’s renaissance.  They want to make Columbus the best place to work, live and raise a family in the United States; downtown development is the keystone to these goals.

In preparation for the birthday, the 2012 Bicentennial Citizen Summit will take place on Tuesday, January 29 in the Columbus Convention Center.  The meeting is the next step in making all those downtown dreams reality (that means enhancing the riverfront, renovating City Center and promoting progressive transportation, to name a few).  The summit is the public meeting that shapes the city’s projects, programs and funding priorities for the upcoming years.

Everyone is invited to the 2012 Bicentennial Citizen Summit, but an RSVP is required.  The first big step in making a difference isn’t a big step at all, just sign up to attend at http://www.columbus.gov/columbus2012/.

BIG BEE-DAY

January is a big month for important holidays; there’s New Years, MLK Day, and National Pie Day.

This month also marks the first birthday of Queen Bee.  Actually, the Bee is one of the oldest restaurants in town.  Practically a historical monument, the place made its original debut in 1949.  Jean Perry bought the restaurant a year ago, and her Queen Bee will be one year old on January 23.

The Queen Bee was originally opened by a Greek family in downtown’s Central Market.  The Market’s gone, but the restaurant still operates at 248 S. Fourth Street.  It even survived a fire in 1996.

As the new owner, Perry kept many of the classics that defined the Queen Bee eating experience.  She notes, “There are daily specials, great tomato beef soup, pot roast Thursdays… spaghetti and meatballs, and great cheery service.”

She should know about the service.  Perry clearly loves the spot, and chances are good that the owner will be your server.  Perry’s put her own accent on the restaurant too.  The decor has been modernized, and visitors will also find plenty of modern dining options – like a grilled cheese sandwich flooded with warm cheddar, Swiss and feta.  There’s also an Angus burger topped with smoked cheddar and deep-fried onions.

Like the original Queen Bee, the baby Bee is open daily for breakfast and lunch.

Inspiration is nice, but it’s hard to stay inspired and motivated about anything during the long cold month of January.

Then again, some people live their lives in a constant state of inspiration.  Columbus is home to artists, scientists and entrepreneurs who are loaded with great vision and equally great drive.

Renee Sauer is a photographer known for her portraits of humans and hairier mammals.  The artist also finds great inspiration in downtown Columbus: “There’s just something I love about driving across that Third Street bridge into the mouth of Downtown.”  Through her lens, the Downtown is a powerhouse of architecture and activity.

Then there’s Dr. David Chesebrough.  The president of COSI can often be found strolling its hallowed halls.  He can also be found strolling the downtown streets.  “I walk from COSI to just about any meeting/event in town, and the Downtown is nice and compact.”

The president wouldn’t mind making things even more cozy and compact.  He continues, “There is significant potential on COSI’s side to enhance the activities and tie our side of the river into the downtown experience and attractiveness.”

Business leader Liz Lessner brought Tip Top Kitchen to Gay Street.  She also finds inspiration in the Downtown.  “There is an opportunity for any aspiring entrepreneur or urban dweller to be a pioneer in Columbus’s urban renaissance.”  She continues, “There is a loyal contingent of people who want to see Downtown thrive.  It’s completely exciting and inspiring and within reach to anyone looking to make a difference.”

They inspire me.  Who inspires you?

Yes, the holidays were lovely.  Yes, there were New Year’s resolutions…these are the 8 we’d like to see in ‘08:

1.  KINETIC BILLBOARDS
The XXL billboards have been interesting, but it’s going to take more to hold our attention in 2008.  Pimp out those big signs with some old-school whirligigs.  They’d look cool, and the whirligigs are powered by trendy alternative energy.

2.  DOWNTOWN PUBLIC WIRELESS ACCESS
If po-dunk towns can have it, we can too.

3.  TURN THE CITY CENTER INTO A PARK
An indoor park, free from UV rays in the summer and freezing rain in the winter; Mother Nature is overrated.

4.  MORE WASTE
Install more public recycling bins alongside more public trashcans.

5.  ART WINDOWS
Vacant windows are depressing.  Let local artists fill the empty spaces with their wares.  Everybody wins: artists get exposure, passers-by get eye candy and property owners get snazzy windows.

6.  MORE PERPENDICULAR PARKING
Some of us still cannot parallel park.

7.  PEDAL PUSHERS
Additional bike racks would make eco-friendly bike riding much easier.

8.  BE A TEAM PLAYER
Resolution #8 is all yours.  Submit non-City Center-related ideas in the comment section, and you’re eligible for Broadway tickets on us!