Right Now Downtown

GRILLED CHEESE AND WHAT?

Lobster Grilled Cheese Sandwich?  Sounds crazy, but it’s driving people in droves to C Town Market & Deli at 152 E. State Street.  Just when you think there’s nothing new under the sun.

Owner Sam Shalash is a downtown Miami (Florida) native who opened the place “Because I really saw a need.”  Yes indeed, a need for grilled cheese and lobster sandwiches. 

The stop sells other things – Shalash says some folks just stop in for a bag of chips or a package of gum.  He adds that the sandwich called “New York New York” is also really popular. It’s a variation on a classic Reuben with coleslaw, marbled rye and a house made Russian dressing.  

C Town is aiming to be a downtown social hub too.  It uses Facebook to update its community activities.  The line-up has been pretty diverse in recent weeks –including a chef contest judged by RJ Umberger of the Blue Jackets and a Grand Opening celebration complete with Miller Lite Models. 

Impressive figures, but the deli’s biggest celebrity of all might just be that signature sandwich!  Tasting is believing: C Town Market & Deli is open for lunch and dinner weekdays.

Pearl Market Moment with Cleve from Downtown Columbus on Vimeo.

Loving the Carmacazzi Booth at the market!

Cool dynamic fashion that sustains a fair trade mission in business practices!

Owner Casey Cahoy is really cool and makes amazing clothing that I drool over each week in my walk through the market. I bet one of his long sleeved t shirts would feel perfect this fall at the market! Check him out!

Go say hello and tell him the Market Maven sent ya! xo

BUCKEYE BUS

What is THE most agonizing thing about going to a Buckeye game?

The suspense?
Watching a quarterback sack?
Or maybe it’s the drive to the stadium.  The longest mile can be wrought with road-ragers and texting drivers.  Add the massive road construction and…

Ladies and Gentlemen, what we have here is a failure to transportate… but not if you park downtown for the game!

We are pleased to partner with The Ohio State University to offer prime parking for Buckeye games.  What makes it prime?  It’s stress-free game-day parking at the City Center Garage on Rich Street.  Ten bucks buys a spot in the lot and two tickets to ride.

Ride what?  It’s a lovely shuttle with air conditioning, restrooms and a permit to unload at University Hall (steps away from the stadium).  After the game, take the shuttle back downtown to enjoy Buckeye Specials at our neighborhood restaurants.

And for you savvy souls who already live downtown?  A shuttle ticket is only $5, round-trip.

For more information, including route maps and a listing of Buckeye Special eateries, check out downtowncolumbus.com.

Once again, the Columbus City School District has more schools rated effective, excellent or excellent with distinction than any other district in central Ohio.  Columbus City Schools excel because of generous tax levy support, high-quality staffing, top-rate facilities, and the leadership of Superintendent Gene Harris. 

The state grade for the District as a whole, based on standardized tests, is “continuous improvement.”   This grade is an average for all schools and reveals nothing about individual schools.  Columbus is a huge district with 127 rated schools and a disproportionate number of students who speak limited English, are poor, or have learning disabilities.  Schools with concentrations of poverty or high enrollments of students with language or learning barriers tend to struggle to meet testing standards despite excellent instruction. 

Columbus also has many schools that are economically and culturally integrated.  These schools tend to perform as well or better than their suburban counterparts as shown by standardized test scores.  

Given the failure rate of suburban school levies, perhaps more middle-class parents will discover what city parents already know.  Families who choose to live in a city neighborhood have great educational options for their children.

Pearl Market Moment: Three Babes and a Baker from Downtown Columbus on Vimeo.