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. 

Calling history buffs, baseball enthusiasts, kids, bargain shoppers and peeps who like good eats. Yea, you get the point, calling EVERYONE. 

Save the date to head down to the People’s House on Friday, July 22. The fun begins at 7 p.m. with the Ohio Village Muffins vs. Ohio General Assembly in some old-time base ball, and for the record, base and ball were two words back in the day. Geez, you even get a grammar lesson to boot.  

The Statehouse Sesquicentennial celebration continues with family games, Ohio historical displays, and the dudes with the cannons even promise big booming good times. Concessions, including a cash bar with plenty of frosty beverages, will be in easy reach on the Statehouse Lawn thanks to the guys at Milo’s Catering and Banquet Service.  

Once the sun sinks behind the Cbus skyline at about 9 p.m., Glory will explode on the giant screen outdoors, so bring a blanket big enough for the entire family and plan to stay until the last credits roll. 

Oh, and if it rains? CAPA’s got you covered. They’ll show Glory on their big screen at the Ohio Theatre. What are you waiting on? Call a friend or two and invite them along. See ya at the People’s House.

Spring has been a long time coming, and you deserve a treat.  We have a fantastic way for you to celebrate the arrival of warmer temperatures – ice cream, perhaps?  Oh and by the by, Pearl Market opens one week from today.

Hmmm… wonder what they two have in common?  Here’s a hint:

KABOOM, let the celebration begin.  Cool visitors head to the People’s House on April 10 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first Ohio unit mustered into the Civil War.  Heck, it’s going to be so big that word is Abraham Lincoln is even going to be there.

OK, so President Lincoln may have a little help from the Army of the Ohio Civil War Re-enactors and people like Bob Minton, Civil War historian and re-enactor extraordinaire, but you are not going to want to miss this.

Bob Minton and fellow re-enactors will take you back in time, providing a glimpse at what life was really like for these men as they stood trying to prepare for their role in the Civil War. In spite of some of the popular media portrayals, re-enactors are serious historians who want to educate the public about what life was like on a day-to-day basis for these soldiers.

“From the very first book I read about the Civil War when I was a kid, I was fascinated by the subject,” Minton said. ”History books may focus on famous leaders, but wars are fought by the common man, and re-enactors want to help educate people about what war was really like for those guys.”

Each year at its Annual Meeting, Capital Crossroads SID recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions to making downtown the cleanest, safest and most attractive commercial district in the city.  Outlined below are the nominees and winners in each category, including Ambassador of the Year, Outstanding Service, Aesthetic Contribution and Outstanding Achievement. 

Ambassador of the Year 

Each quarter, CCSID recognizes an employee for his or her outstanding work.  This year’s four award winners are Charla Gray, Clarence Anderson, Teri Tucker and Carlos Pilier, with the 2010 Ambassador of the Year award going to Teri Tucker.  Ms. Tucker has been with CCSID for eight years and is a thoroughly dependable, versatile and professional employee who excels at problem solving and handling challenges.  She has worked in several capacities including equipment operator, outreach, graffiti removal, dispatching, equipment maintenance and special projects.  Capital Crossroads congratulates Ms. Tucker and thanks her for her hard work and dedication. 

Outstanding Aesthetic Contribution 

This award recognizes projects completed in the past year, which add to the beauty, street life, energy, brightness, colorfulness and attractiveness of downtown.  A number of projects were considered for this award based on input from the downtown community, including: 

T. Bears Florist and Chocolatier, for demonstrating their commitment to downtown by remaining in their location even after a car drove through their display window just before Valentine’s Day. 

The Edwards Companies, for the continuation of their beautiful Neighborhood Launch project, another block of which was completed this year. 

The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation for three important downtown projects:  the well designed garage at Elm and Fourth streets; rebuilding of the High Street façade of the former Lazarus building and accompanying landscaping on High Street; and the nearly completed Columbus Commons park. 

The City of Columbus for the conversion of much of Front Street from one-way to two-way, the stunning new street features on Front Street, and the completion of the Main Street Bridge. 

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board for its care of the Ohio Statehouse grounds. 

Bob Reynolds and Bob Talley for maintaining a beautiful patio and landscaping at EcleXions Lofts. 

Huntington Bank, Huntington Center and Bricker & Eckler for once again providing beautiful landscaping. 

Other mentions were for the façade work at Morningstar Mini Storage on Chestnut Street, for Spacejunk Media on Third Street and for the Trinity Episcopal Church bell tower, which turns 100 this year. 

The 2010 winner for Outstanding Aesthetic Contribution is Lifestyle Communities for The Annex at RiverSouth.  Lifestyle Communities took four dead blocks of surface parking lots south of the Lazarus Building and constructed 213 units of housing.  This elegant community takes its design cues from the East Coast and is connected to the streets in a way that encourages walking and interaction with the downtown area.  The Annex has already impacted downtown, with the building at 201 South High Street being leased to Massey’s Pizza.  Downtown is lucky to have Lifestyle Communities here. 

Outstanding Service 

The Outstanding Service Award recognizes a service in the public or private sector that makes a significant contribution to downtown.  A number of projects were considered for this award, including: 

The Hyatt on Capitol Square for developing a pilot food recycling program and sponsoring the Downtown LIVE concert series. 

Royal Paper, a recycling company, which has taken the lead in developing recycling programs at downtown office buildings. 

The Public Service Department, particularly Randy Bowman, for being responsive and flexible on issues such as on-street parking. 

The Central Ohio Transit Authority for moving its headquarters and 100 administrative employees to the downtown and for beginning to use hybrid buses. 

COTA and the Columbus City Schools for successfully addressing issues involving a small number of problem students who abused bus pass privileges and acted badly at downtown bus stops. 

MadLab Theatre for buying a building at Third Street and Chestnut and now producing shows in the SID. 

And the Community Shelter Board, Faith Mission and Mary and Kent Beittel of the Open Shelter for their hard work. 

The award for Outstanding Service was presented to CAPA for the critical role they have played and continue to play in keeping our downtown performing arts groups healthy.  CAPA owns and operates the Ohio, Palace and Southern Theatres and operates the Riffe Center Theatres.  It has stabilized the performing arts by assuming responsibility for back office services including accounting, ticketing, marketing and development for a wide range of arts organizations including the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Opera Columbus, the Jazz Arts Group and Franklin Park Conservatory.  Bill Connor, CAPA President & CEO, has personally donated his time to serve as the business manager of the CSO and the staff of CAPA has taken on additional work, allowing these groups to reduce their overhead and keep their artistic budgets stable. 

Without CAPA, it is hard to imagine where the performing arts downtown might be.  Maintaining the performances of these groups keeps our beautiful theatres lit, which in turn has helped develop clusters of restaurants and burgeoning retail in the area.  A rich environment with a healthy arts scene is vital to leasing commercial and residential space and they remain a strong selling point for downtown.  CCSID owes much to CAPA. 

Outstanding Achievement 

The Outstanding Achievement award recognizes an accomplishment that deserves special recognition.  At a time when downtown needs entrepreneurs to revitalize the area, one person has stepped up to the plate not once or twice, but three times. 

This restaurateur first opened a spot at a sleepy location on Gay Street called the Vine.  Next she had the guts to open a restaurant at the former Queen Bee on Fourth Street near the Greyhound Bus Station.  And she recently purchased The Jury Room on Mound Street. 

Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails is now a staple on Gay Street.  If you pass Dirty Franks on Fourth Street, you are likely to see standing room only crowds.  And with The Jury Room due to reopen soon, we are all excited to see what the Betty’s Family of Restaurants does with that location. 

We are so happy to recognize Elizabeth Lessner for her outstanding contributions to downtown and congratulate her on her success.

Have you been naughty or nice this year? You still have time to clean up your act so you don’t find a big hunk of coal in your stocking this year.   Santa will be downtown tomorrow (December 1), so you can let him know if there is anything besides your two front teeth that you’ve been drooling over.

Hold onto your hat because there will be a stiff breeze blowing over the People’s House on December 1 and the weather has nothing to do with it.  A helicopter will land on the Ohio Statehouse lawn to deliver a special holiday package – Santa and Mrs. Claus.  The merry little couple will kick off the Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival that runs from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 

After you’ve stuffed yourself full of turkey on Thursday, many of you stuff your trunks with holiday gifts on Friday.  It’s Black Friday!!!  Get up at 3 a.m.!!!  Shop, shop, shop!!!  Then on Monday, it’s Cyber Monday!  Buy, buy, buy (online, of course)!!!

But tucked between Black and Cyber is a new idea called Small Business Saturday.  This initiative is designed to encourage Americans to do part of their holiday shopping at their favorite local businesses.  You can find unique, creative gifts without fighting traffic at the malls, all while helping the local economy.

We encourage you to shop locally on Saturday, and here are some great spots to hit downtown. 

B1 Bicycles
124 E. Long Street
B1 Bicycles offers new bicycles, frames, components, accessories and all the goodies any cyclist you know could want.  You can also have your bike repaired or tuned up.  B1 has expanded their hours this holiday season, now open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except Thanksgiving). b1bicycles.com

Luxboheme
On Hickory near Lazelle
This beautiful and unusual shop is usually open only on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; but this holiday season, you can drop by on Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. (through December 11).  Now you may need to work a little to find it (behind a sliding black barn door) but the search will be well worth the effort.  Luxboheme offers unique jewelry and accessories, organic, artistic, vintage or handmade at a wide range of price points.  And their goodies are available 24-7 online.  luxboheme.com

Science2Go Store
COSI
Everyone loves COSI.  So much cool stuff to see and do.  And if you’d like to take a piece of COSI home for yourself or others, stop by the Science2Go store to find unique gifts for your favorite scientist-in-training.  cosi.org

Spoonful Records
116 E. Long Street
Did you know you could still shop at a record store?  A real one, with vinyl records?  If you have a music lover on your list, hit Spoonful and check out their collection of new and used vinyl.  While you’re there, you can relax with a quick game of pinball or a chat with proprietor, Brett Ruland.  Spoonful is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.  facebook.com/spoonfulrecords

Statehouse Museum Shop
Ohio Statehouse
If there is ever a week to celebrate being a Buckeye, this is it (Go Bucks, Beat Michigan).  This is the place to find Buckeye gifts related to the state rather than the gridiron.  The shop stocks items made in Ohio, about Ohio, about politics and more.  The store is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. statehouseshop.com

Sugardaddy’s
11 E. Gay Street
Sugardaddy’s recently added Saturday hours, and this Saturday is no different.  Stop in for delicious and beautifully wrapped brownies, blondies and other sweet, sumptuous delights.  They make wonderful gifts and can be shipped as well.   Stop in on Saturdays between noon and 4 p.m. or during the week, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and give the brownie that “Through Down” Bobby Flay.  sugardaddys.com

T. Bears Florist & Chocolatier
237 S. Third Street
Who wouldn’t want to receive the gift of yum?  T. Bears offers a wide selection of baskets and packages of delicious caramel crunch bark, dipping pretzels, peanut clusters, sourdough nuggets, wine and cheese biscuits, as well as floral gifts and arrangements.  T. Bears is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  tbearsfloristandgift.com

Winston Wilson Jewelers
310 S. High Street
Winston Wilson is another great spot to find gifts for anyone on your list.  They offer jewelry, baby gifts, OSU-theme gifts, bar items and more.  They also offer jewelry repair, watch battery replacement, engraving and an on-site goldsmith, not to mention gift wrap and shipping services.  Now Winston Wilson Jewelers will not be open this Saturday, but we want to give them a plug.  They are open Tuesday throgh Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Zettler Hardware
101 E. Main Street
Zettler Hardware has been the place to go for hardware needs for many years.  You can find all kinds of wonderful gifts – tools, flashlights, cast iron skillets and grill plans; you name it, they’ve got it.  Zettler is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  zettlerhardware.com

Did we miss any?  Let us know your favorite downtown small businesses by commenting on our post here.  You’ll be entered to win tickets to BalletMet’s Nutcracker or the Columbus Symphony’s Holiday Pops.  Winners will be notified on Wednesday, November 24.

The folks at the People’s House have just the thing to keep cold weather at bay and get you started on a little holiday shopping.  The Capitol Artists Fair is tomorrow, Wednesday, November 17 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse, and it will be jam packed with must-have handcrafted items – everything from jewelry to pottery to glass to paintings to food.  Don’t forget the food.  The cotton candy machine and carnival rides may be dormant during this fair, but there will be plenty of great things to see and eat during the day-long gala.

Visitors will enjoy a variety of artistic displays, shopping, Ohio food and wine sampling, and conversation.  The shindig will cost you absolutely nothing to get through the doors, but bring some moola because the fete will include both contemporary crafters and artisans from every corner of Ohio.  In some cases, you will even see and talk to the artists in action.  Select great one-of-a-kind gifts for that hard to buy for dude or dudette in your family and share a story about the Ohio artisan who crafted the masterpiece – priceless.

In addition to the one-stop shopping extravaganza, the Capitol Artists Fair will offer samplings of food and wine from Ohio Proud Food and The Ohio Grape Industry Committees.  The munchies will be available all day, and the wine tasting begins at 4 p.m.

The Statehouse Museum Shop will also be open and will host a variety of contests, promotions and door prizes throughout the day, so don’t forget to check it out while you’re there.

For more information about the Capitol Artists Fair or other programs at the People’s House, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.

Halloween is right around the corner; what will you be “going as?”  The People’s House has just the thing to get the creative juices flowing.  Before you design that perfect Elvira get-up or hone your alter-ego fireman motif, plan on heading out for the Haunted Statehouse Tours on Friday and Saturday, October 15 and 16.

The event promises great fun for the whole family, well if you’re over the age of 12 since it may be too frightful for the little tykes.  The Ohio Statehouse will ante up an historical experience as they scare the bejeebers out of you.  Find out what interrupted an infamous dance between a very lanky politician from Illinois and a Columbus socialite and how the scene became eerily visible years later right here in our very own Statehouse.

Tickets are $8 per adult and $4 per child under the age of 16.  Don’t let the goblins distract you though; this is a ticketed event and tickets must be pre-ordered.  Tours will depart every half hour between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.  You can get tickets online by sneaking up to www.statehouseshop.com (and click “Seasonal”); visiting the Statehouse Museum Shop on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse; or over the phone by calling 614.728.9234.  Just don’t think about pranking them.

You’ll also want to save some room for some themed goodies available to purchase in the Capitol Cafe before or after your tour.  So, grab your Casper costume and moooooooove along now to purchase your tickets.  Are you scared yet?  Hurry, the event has sold out during the previous five years.

Move over Indiana Jones.  Adventure awaits during The Cornerstone to Cupola Tour at the Ohio Statehouse.

But you have to hurry, the tickets go on sale July 1 and they sell out quickly.  This is not some run of the mill visit through a dusty government building.  Come dressed for exploration as you navigate places in the “People’s House” rarely seen by the general public.

Visitors will discover the “lost” cornerstone and prisoner graffiti in the Crypt.  Did you know that Ohio’s Capitol was built entirely from prisoner labor and it took 22 years to complete?

Early Ohioans wanted their capitol building to serve as a symbol of the state’s democratic form of government.  They looked for inspiration in the architecture of ancient Greek cities and based the Ohio Statehouse on the design of these classic temples.

One of the highlights of the tour will include climbing more than 70 stairs through the narrow spiral staircase to the top of the Cupola.

These special behind-the-scenes tours are scheduled for Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18.  There are three tour times each day:  10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.  Space is limited; tours are restricted to 20 individuals per tour start time.  For more information go to www.statehouseshop.com and click on “Statehouse Exclusive” or visit the Ohio Statehouse Museum Shop located on the ground level of the Capitol building.  The Museum Shop is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; closed Sundays and holidays.

Ticket prices for the special The Cornerstone to Cupola Tour are $10 per adult and $4 per child under the age of 16.  A $2 handling and shipping charge will be assessed to each online and phone order.

If you aren’t up for the behind-the-scenes expedition, come for a free guided tour offered Monday through Friday on the hour from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 3 p.m.  Get inspired by the architecture, fine art, interpretive exhibits and the working offices and chambers that have been the site of Ohio government since 1861.

See you at the People’s House!