The Daily Bulletin

  • Candy Buy Backs

    Posted on Oct 31, 2011

    Looking to off-load some of the candy haul from tonight AND do something for our U.S. armed service troops overseas? A number of dentists and orthodontists in the area are offering “candy buy backs” tomorrow. We heard from Lifetime Dental Health in northwest Columbus, but we’ve heard there are others doing this — so feel free to add their names and addresses in the comments’ section below! 

    Basically what they’re all doing is asking families to bring in their excess Halloween candy. They’ll pay $1 per pound (up to 10 pounds). Then they’ll mail candy to Operation Gratitude www.operationgratitude.com, an organization that will then package the candy up for care packages to be sent to American soldiers stationed abroad.

    At Lifetime Dental, which is located at 1960 Bethel Road, Suite 240 in Columbus, they’ll be collecting the candy between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and they’re also holding a raffle where you can enter to win some nifty products and services. Call them at 614-451-2234 for more information.

  • Cover Contest Winner

    Posted on Oct 28, 2011

    Congratulations to Symone, the winner of Columbus Parent’s Win the Cover contest! She will be appearing on our December issue cover, and our other finalists’ submitted photos will appear in that issue, too. But for now you can see all five finalists’ photos in this slideshow.

    01

    View the slideshow

    A special thank you to all who entered photos in the contest. Response was fantastic and we hope you’ll enjoy the “cover” photo creations that our sponsors at Cord Camera are making available to all entrants — for free!

    And don’t forget — our November issue starts getting distributed on Monday. Click here to find a pick-up location nearest you!

  • Scary Face Pancakes

    Posted on Oct 27, 2011

    Here’s a special Halloween treat for the kids: tomorrow, all IHOP restaurants will be offering children, ages 12 and under, a free Scary Face Pancake!

    The “design-your-own” Scary Face Pancake includes an oversized signature buttermilk pancake with a whipped topping mouth and strawberry nose, served with two mini Oreo cookies and candy corn on the side to allow kids to create their own Halloween hotcake. 

    The free Scary Face Pancake is available from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. at participating IHOP restaurants. To find one nearest you, go to the locator on their website at http://www.ihoplocator.com/.

  • Heebie-Jeebie Family Film Series

    Posted on Oct 26, 2011

    A fab little family film series concludes this next week at the Gateway Film Center with showings of “Monster House.”

    Here’s the little synopsis that Gateway sent us: “This breakthrough film from 2006 follows DJ Walters (voice of Mitchel Musso), a twelve-year-old with a particularly overactive imagination. He is convinced that any toy that touches his neighbor’s property promptly disappears, swallowed by the cavernous house. But no one believes him. What everyone does not know is that DJ is not imagining things, and it’s about to get much worse.”

    Bwahahahaha! It’s all part of the Heebie-Jeebie Family Film Series and there will be screenings on Saturday, Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 30 at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.

    Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for children. Added bonus with the Saturday show: You can enjoy a family-friendly haunted house before and after the 1:30 p.m. screening.

    The Gateway Film Center is located just south of The Ohio State University campus at 1550 N. High St. Parking is available for $1 in the garage right next door to the theater, accessible from both 9th and 11th avenues — just remember to get your parking ticket validated inside the theater in order to get the $1 rate! Check out their website at http://gatewayfilmcenter.com/.

     

  • Kevin Arnold's Blog

    Posted on Oct 25, 2011

    kevin-arnold

    Columbus Parent columnist Kevin Arnold (who pens “The Doctor Is IN” for us) also has a blog on the Psychology Today website (in fact that’s where we first found him!).  

    Arnold’s blog is well worth a look for even more of his insights and professional wisdom about topics that concern parents and affect families. 

    Here’s a link to his latest one on the challenges faced by what he calls “ghost children” — the siblings of children who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. 

    Check it out: Ghost Children: Brothers and Sisters of ADHD Children

     

  • Tuttle Trick or Treat

    Posted on Oct 24, 2011

    First, an announcement about our Win the Cover contest, sponsored by Cord Camera: We have reviewed the votes received and these are the names of our top five vote-getters: Addison, Anthony, Cordelia, Sophie Claire and Symone. Because we have not heard back from all of our entrants’ parents (check your emails and voicemails!), we cannot display their entry photos right now, but they will be printed in our December issue. Our winner will be announced at noon this Friday, Oct. 28 and that child will be photographed specially for the December cover. Best of luck to all our finalists and thank you again to all 394 of our entrants!
     
    And now for some more seasonal news…
     
    Looking to max out on the candy-acquisition campaign this Halloween season? The Mall at Tuttle Crossing is providing a variety of fun for little ghosts and goblins this Halloween with “Trick or Treat at Tuttle,” this Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 6-8 p.m.

    There are going to be arts and crafts activities, entertainment by Mr. Insecta, the Shazzbotts and more, and a chance for kids to show off their favorite Halloween costumes.
     
    A variety of other tricks and treats will be provided, including special rewards for Simon Kidgits Club members (for more information on Simon Kidgits Club, parents can visit the Simon Guest Services booth at the Mall at Tuttle Crossing. Annual membership is $5 per child and earns a child all kinds of swag throughout the year).
     
    But rest assured the whole “Trick or Treat at Tuttle” event is free and open to the public, so check it out if you’ve got costumed kids, ages 12 or younger.

     

  • Boo at the Zoo

    Posted on Oct 21, 2011

    Boo at the Zoo kicks off this evening at (where else) the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! We love how they bill this as the “merry, not scary” Halloween, and it really is. We’re especially intrigued to see several new seasonal exhibits this year — the Pumpkin Plaza (right as you enter the Zoo grounds), Little Boo Mansion (a kid-friendly “haunted” house at Colo’s Cover) and Little Boo Maze (a mini-maze made from hay bales).
     
    Kids should wear their costumes and plan on visiting more than treat stations throughout the Zoo. There’s just a ton of stuff going this weekend and next (Fridays from 5-9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.). Regular Zoo admission prices are in effect, with members admitted free.
     
    For more information, visit their website!

  • Step Up for Stefanie

    Posted on Oct 20, 2011

    ‘Tis the season to put your fitness inclinations to good use! This Sunday, Oct. 23, we’ve got a great one for the whole family. It’s the “Step Up for Stefanie” 5K/2M Fun Walk/Run (followed by a with a post-party at Ohio Stadium!).
     
    The event raises money for the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at The Ohio State University. Chris Spielman and his family (so beautifully featured earlier this year in Columbus Parent) will kick off the 5k/2m run/walk at 10 a.m. from Ohio Stadium (you know that big horseshoe-shaped thing at 411 Woody Hayes Drive on the OSU campus).
     
    Following the race, attendees will enjoy music, food and activities presented by Panera, sponsor of the event.
     
    Registration costs are:
    *5K: $20 Pre-Registration; $30 Race Day
    *5K: Student Rate $15 Pre-Registration; $25 Race Day
    *2 mile: $15 Pre-Registration; $25 Race Day
    *2 mile: Student Rate $10 Pre-Registration; $20 Race Day
    BUT *admission is FREE for children under the age of 12.
                                                         
    For more information, please visit www.StepUpforStefanie.ORG

  • "Follow Me!" Family Fit Day

    Posted on Oct 19, 2011

    The "Follow Me!" Family Fit Day happens again this Saturday, Oct. 22 from 12 noon–5 p.m. at Easton Town Center. This free event has all kinds of family fitness events, designed to help you get active and get information about healthy living. 
     
    The Sports Zone will include Buckeye Mobile Tour and Columbus Crew interactive inflatables; The Fitness Zone will host all the interactive fitness stations, strength and flexibility activities; The Healthy Food & Nutrition Zone will enable you to learn how to make your own healthy snacks and pick up free products and information; The Healthy Harvest Zone will have family activities such as putt-putt and Halloween arts & crafts.
     

  • Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble

    Posted on Oct 18, 2011

    For a school night treat, head over to the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts tonight and catch the world-famous Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble in action. If you have any young dancers in your house, this performance is guaranteed to broaden their horizons.
     
    The program is an interactive performance. As the vibrant company warms up, a narrator explains the process of creating a dance artist. The audience gains insight and an insider’s perspective on how classical dancers are trained and how a program comes together. The performance is diverse with high energy contemporary pieces along with one-act ballets and dance suites, all costumed accordingly. Tuesday’s program will feature dance pieces choreographed by Robert Garland, Royston Maldoom and Peter Pucci, with a variety of musical selections from Scott Joplin, Gustav Mahler, Johann Sebastian Bach, James Brown and others.
     
    The Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble Interactive Performance will take place at the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, located at 100 W. Dublin-Granville Road in New Albany, in the Irving E. Schottenstein Theatre. Tickets are $25, $30 and $35 and are still available. For tickets or additional information, please visit the McCoy Center website at www.mccoycenter.org or call 614-245-4701.

  • Ohio autumn travel

    Posted on Oct 17, 2011

    Looking to plan an autumn adventure? The Ohio tourism folks have done all the leg work for you.

    They've put together itineraries, lists of festivals and lots of other great information to help you find plenty of fun outings for your family.

    They're even tracking when the leaves will be at their peak colors and recommending driving routes for the best viewing opportunities.

    Visit http://consumer.discoverohio.com/autumnadventures/ for more details.

    - Melissa Kossler Dutton

  • Market District

    Posted on Oct 14, 2011

    Giant Eagle's new Market District store at Kingsdale in Upper Arlington spread its wings one year ago and now it's time to celebrate! 
     
    The store is sending a birthday invite to the community for the celebration this Saturday, Oct. 15 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be live entertainment, ample samples, special deals, and fun activities planned for the kids. Save room for cake; they'll be serving up slices with their house-made butter cream icing.
     
    Event: Giant Eagle Market District Birthday Party
    Date: Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011
    Place: Kingsdale Shopping Center, 3070 Kingsdale Center, Columbus 43221
    Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
    Free
     
    - Kristen Maetzold

  • Stargaze at Perkins Observatory

    Posted on Oct 13, 2011

    It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a star.
     
    Fall is a fabulous time to stargaze and Perkins Observatory is a great place to do it. The observatory (affiliated with Ohio Wesleyan University but located south of the campus on Rt. 23) offers lots of family-oriented programming.
     
    The programs typically include an astronomy lecture and the opportunity to tour the facility with the wild and witty director Tom Burns. When the weather permits, visitors are given the chance to observe the sky through a telescope.
     
    Tickets to the programs cost $7 for adults and $5 for children. The Observatory recommends purchasing tickets in advance (and they do go quickly, so call early) and gives detailed advice on attending programs on its website.

    For more information, visit http://www.perkins-observatory.org/.
     
    The Observatory is located at 3199 Columbus Pike, Delaware, OH, 43015.
     
    - Melissa Kossler Dutton

  • Book Look

    Posted on Oct 12, 2011

    Let’s hear it for Shel Silverstein, the late great American poet. Dispatch Arts Editor and book fiend Nancy Gilson reviews an intriguing new book of previously unpublished Silverstein work that has just come out…

    Every Thing on It (Harper, 100 pages, $19.99, all ages) by Shel Silverstein
    Shel Silverstein, the great children’s poet, cartoonist and songwriter (A Boy Name Sue), died in 1995 and you would think that all his best poems would have been published by now.
    The collections Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic and Falling Up (as well as other books including The Giving Tree) have sold more than 25 million copies in the United States and have been translated into 30 languages.
    But, wait, there's more.

    The 145 previously unpublished poems and drawings in Every Thing on It are deliciously clever, surprising and typically Silverstein. Marked by ingenuity and irreverence, they're as much fun to read for their wit as for their rhythm.

    A few samples:

    Before the Race
    Mr. Flack tells his son Jack / “Run hard -- with no excuses.”
    Mr. Brill tells his son Will / He'll kill him if he loses.
    Mr. Drew tells little Lou / “Be fearless but beware,”
    And little Trace, he won the race / (His father wasn't there.)

    Biography
    First he was born, / And then he was warned,
    And then he was taught how to swim,
    And then he was married, / And then he was buried,
    And that's all that happened to him.

    Frightened
    “There are kids underneath my bed,” / Cried little baby monster Fred.
    Momma monster smiled. “Oh, Fred,
    There's no such thing as kids,” she said.
    The punch lines for many of the poems occur in drawings — as in Whoosh: My hair blower worked in reverse today — There's really not much more to say. (Underneath is a picture of a hair dryer with a leg sticking out of it.)
    Silverstein has delighted generations since his first children’s book, Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back, was published in 1963. Remarkably, he continues to do so 12 years after his death.

    - Nancy Gilson

  • Explore the Metro Parks

    Posted on Oct 11, 2011

    Don't let the cooler temperatures and shorter days prevent your family from exploring the Metro Parks.
     
    Many of the parks embrace the change of season by offering evening programs designed to give visitors a chance to experience the park after dark. An evening under the moon and stars is a great way to unwind and reconnect after a hectic week of work and school.
     
    During the coming weeks the parks are offering night hikes, moonlight tram rides and programs with campfires.
     
    Visit http://reservations.metroparks.net/programs/ to see a complete list of evening programs.
     
    - Melissa Kossler Dutton

  • Creepside Festival

    Posted on Oct 10, 2011

    Who says you have to wait to get your “Creep” on? Don't hold off until Halloween — don that costume now and head on over to Creekside in Gahanna this Wednesday, Oct. 12. That’s when the Creekside Park & Plaza will be overflowing with spook enthusiasts for the 8th Annual Creepside Festival.  
     
    Hosted by Gahanna Parks and Recreation, the event features a Trick or Treat Trail, games, crafts, music, a haunted walk, hayrides, and paddle boat rides. The event is free and perfect for kids of all ages.   
     
    Event: Creepside Festival
    Date: October 12, 2011
    Place: Creekside Park & Plaza
    Time: 5:30-9pm
    Free
     
    - Kristen Maetzold

  • Autism Speaks & the Walk to Cure Diabetes

    Posted on Oct 7, 2011

    If you’re looking for a family activity this weekend, visit OSU’s campus on Sunday. With two great fundraising and awareness walks both in the area, it’s easy to help make a difference (and get some exercise!) as the fall season begins.
     
    The Schottenstein Center will host Walk Now for Autism Speaks at 8:30 a.m. The one-mile walk and resource fair benefits Autism Speaks, a national organization that promotes research and awareness for those who have autism. More than 40 groups will be on hand to share information, and there are plenty of kids’ activities, including a visit from The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Learn more about the walk at walknowforautismspeaks.org.
     
    But wait, there’s more! Also at OSU that day is the Mid-Ohio Walk to Cure Diabetes, through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). The two-mile walk starts outside Ohio Stadium at 10:30 a.m. and loops around campus. The event includes entertainment and camaraderie as you walk with a team of friends and/or family members. Sign up for the walk or donate to a team at jdrf.org.
     
    - Heather Weekley

  • Hilliard Garage Sale

    Posted on Oct 6, 2011

    This is your chance to stock up on gentle used children's items at great prices! This Saturday, Oct. 8, Hilliard hosts its annual Baby & Kid Sale Extravaganza. 
     
    The community-wide garage sale features newborn to pre-teen gently used clothing, toys, and other items at unbeatable prices. 
     
    The doors open at noon and you have two hours to grab all the baby and kid gear you can get your arms around. You won't go home empty handed! Admission is free! 
     
    Event: Baby & Kid Sale Extravaganza
    Date: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011
    Place: Hilliard Community Center, 3800 Veterans Memorial Dr. Hilliard 43026
    Hours: 10am-12 noon
    Cost: Admission is free
     
     - Kristen Maetzold

  • Experience Columbus

    Posted on Oct 5, 2011

    Perhaps you’re aware that Experience Columbus is going on this upcoming weekend? It’s a money-saving extravaganza that gives you the chance to experience even more of our great hometown.
     
    One of the great deals that’s available comes from the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: They’ve got BOGO (that’s Buy One Get One free, dontcha know) happening on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday this weekend when you come toting an Experience Columbus coupon. Lots of great activities each including Yoga for Kids on Saturday, a visit from a Sauer Kraut powered robot (!), food trucks, real reptiles to hang out with, and more!
     
    Botanica, the Conservatory's gift shop and greenhouse, also will have a pre-holiday sale, with some merchandise up to 50% off.  Shoppers will receive an additional 10% off already discounted items, and 20% off ALL regularly priced items when they print this page from the Conservatory’s website:  www.fpconservatory.org/botanica.htm.
     
    Get your Experience Columbus coupons by logging onto their website at www.experiencecolumbusdays.com and printing out the flyers that are available there.

  • Free Stores

    Posted on Oct 4, 2011

    If the change of season has left you with a pile of clothing that won't fit your children next spring, consider donating it to a Free Store.
     
    The stores, which operate as ecumenical, faith-based charitable organizations, invite families in need to "shop" for clothing and household items at no cost.
     
    The stores also try to provide other types of support to shoppers. Volunteer staffers make an effort to talk with and listen to shoppers. The stores also try to provide food or meals to the people they serve.
     
    The stores in Franklin County are located at 61 S. Powell Ave., Columbus and 946 Parsons Ave., Columbus. You can get details about how to make donations on their websites, here http://www.westsidefreestore.org/ and here http://www.4allpeople.org/freestore.html. In Delaware County, there’s the Common Grounds Free Store, located at 193 E. Central Ave. and their website is located here http://commongroundfreestore.com/joomla/index.php.
     
    - Melissa Kossler Dutton

  • Pleasure Guild

    Posted on Oct 3, 2011

    The Pleasure Guild has been supporting Nationwide Children’s Hospital for more than 100 years, and the women’s auxiliary group is back with their “Laughing, Living, Giving” event. On Wednesday, Oct. 5, the Pleasure Guild will perform live comedy and music at the newly relocated Shadowbox Live in the Brewery District.

    The evening full of laughs provides guests the opportunity to mingle, enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and partake in a silent auction. Proceeds from the event benefit children in the Hospice and Palliative Care program at the hospital.

    Tickets can be purchased online at www.nationwidechildrens.org/pleasure-guild, and are $75 individually or $600 for a table of eight. “Laughing, Living Giving” takes place from 6-9 p.m.

    - Heather Weekley