It’s cold and rainy and spitting snow. Never mind we rarely see the sun peek from a blanket of clouds. Yea, January and February (and sometimes even March) aren’t prime weather in Central Ohio, but it doesn’t mean that you should hibernate. We have 10 reasons you should take a stroll downtown, and the number one reason might just land you some good eats at some local restaurants on someone else’s dime.

Top 10 Reasons to Take a Walk Around Downtown in the Middle of Winter

10. Your boss smells like mothballs and you need to escape for fresh air.

9. Downtown is home to fantastic freshly brewed coffee, which will give you the charge you need to get through the mountain of paperwork on your desk.

8. Trinity Episcopal Church on Capitol Square fills the air with chime compositions that are part of the Finding Time: Columbus Public Art 2012, and lots of other cool things are planned for 200Columbus, so check it out.

7. Take a skip through Columbus Commons reminiscing about all the fun you had there last summer. While you’re at it, tell us what kind of music you’d like to hear for Downtown Live on Thursday nights at the Commons this year.

6. The Peanut Shoppe (46 N. High Street) always has fresh (and oftentimes warm) nuts and treats ready for your late afternoon snack. Grab some for the rest of your office to win brownie points.

5. Speaking of brownies, right around the corner from The Peanut Shoppe, Sugardaddy’s (11 E. Gay Street) will help squelch even the strongest sweet tooth.

4. Feeling like no one takes your side on anything? Find justice bigger than life at the gavel in front of the Supreme Court building (65 S. Front Street).

3. Walk off the extra holiday flab and find cool outdoor art when you get moving on the Columbus Art Walks around Capitol Square.

2. Stand at the corner of Broad and High Streets basking in the glow of our very own downtown marquee – just like in Tokyo or Times Square.

And the number one reason to take a walk around downtown on a cold wintery day:

1. With all the restaurant offerings within walking distance, you’ll think that you’ve transported to an exotic vacation right here in the center of Cbus. And, if you forward our Right Now Downtown email to a friend, you’ll be entered to win lunch on us. Yum, now that’s even worth a walk in the rain.

Remember Graceland? No, Elvis is not in the building. We’re talking about the harmonizing, dynamic and energizing Ladysmith Black Mambazo who shared the stage with the likes of Paul Simon, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Phil Collins and so many more. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is coming to town on February 8, and we have tickets to give away. 

For more than 40 years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has touched a worldwide audience as they belted out intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions. There’s no resting on their laurels though. This internationally acclaimed group has just released a new concert DVD and a children’s project so you are in for a treat when they arrive in Cbus. 

For one night only, CAPA, in association with the King Arts Complex, brings Ladysmith Black Mambazo to Southern Theatre at 8pm on Wednesday, February 8. Tickets are $28 and $33 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and ticketmaster.com. You can even purchase by phone at (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000. 

If you’re feeling lucky, enter to win a pair of tickets. Just tell us what kind of articles you like to see in Right Now Downtown every week and you will be entered to win. Good Luck.

Capital Crossroads SID, WOSU and CAPA are sponsoring the noon-time premiere of WOSU Columbus Neighborhoods: Downtown/Franklinton at noon on February 14, Columbus’ actual 200th birthday. The documentary digs into the historical roots of Franklinton, Central Ohio’s first settlement, and Downtown so it’s fitting to premier the show at one of Columbus’ coolest historical treasures – The Ohio Theatre. 

If you purchase an advance ticket for $5, a lunchtime feast will be provided from Freshbox worth $10, and better yet, you will be entered to win tickets to Memphis, Simply Sinatra or Second City. 

Call CAPA at 469-0939 to purchase your tickets and reserve your lunch, but act quick, presale tickets close on Friday, February 10 at 5 p.m. 

If you don’t want lunch or a chance for the CAPA shows, you can still come to the show. Heck, come early at 11:30 a.m. to see the Mighty Morgan Organ and lightshow before the premiere. 

If you have any questions, contact Melissa Fast at Capital Crossroads, 614-645-5281 or visit DowntownColumbus.com .

As you and your friends belted out Auld Lang Syne a few nights ago, did you hear anyone lay to rest ogre-like traits promising a positive 2012?

We’ve got news for you, there’s only room for one ogre in town – Shrek, and he’s making a grand entrance on January 10 at the Ohio Theatre. We may not be able to keep Lord Farquaad from torturing the Gingerbread Man, but we do have tickets for someone to see it all live. 

Cold, wet, dark weather is here. Grrr. It can put you in a bad mood just thinking about it. Don’t despair; we have the perfect solution to crush cabin fever before it threatens you. Find out how to dodge, dip and dive into some downtown fun. Dodgeball. Grab a ball and get the scoop, and we’re even going to sweeten the pot with a little discount.

Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District and the Downtown YMCA sponsor Downtown Dodgeball, an eight-week league, which begins Thursday, January 19 and goes through March 8, but if you register now, we are taking off $25 of the registration fee.

Whether you have a team of underdogs or vie to call yourself The Champion of Champions, shoot into action with Downtown Dodgeball. It’s all good; it’s all fun.

Team registration is $250, including a championship, but if you write “Crush Cabin Fever” on your registration form and get it to us before December 30, we will give you the $25 discount. The league registration deadline is Friday, January 13. A team must have a minimum of six people, but bring a posse and dodge past the competition.

For more information or to download the registration, click here. 

No fluffy white stuff falling yet, but we’re about to add some sparkle and excitement to flip the switch for holiday fun.

Ohio’s First Lady, Karen Kasich, will be on hand Wednesday, November 30 at the People’s House during the official Ohio Statehouse Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival. In keeping with the giving spirit, they invite visitors to bring a non-perishable food item for Mid-Ohio Foodbank.