This post is written by Bri Pollard, an intern at Experience Columbus. Bri is a senior at The Ohio State University and will be graduating in June with a degree in Communication.
___________________________

We’ve all done flowers and breakfast in bed for mom. Why not show her you really care and do something different this Mother’s Day? With the assortment of things going on around the city, there’s sure to be something for every deserving mother. Here are eight ways to do Mother’s Day, Columbus Style.

1) Put a twist on the traditional Mother’s Day brunch at the Ohio Historical Center with Brunch at Ohio Village on May 8. Treat your mom to a delicious meal in the American House Hotel and watch “In Mother’s Drawers,” a historic fashion show featuring women’s and children’s fashions through the years in Town Hall. Sunday 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. $39 Adults. $16.95 Youth (ages 6-12).

2) Rather than just giving your mom flowers, take her to Plant Fest in downtown Worthington on May 7 to pick out the plants she likes for a much longer lasting gift. Spruce up her house or help her get her garden started. Outdoors on the historic Village Green at the corner of Rt. 161 and High Street. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

3) Take mom out for lunch and shopping in Grandview , the Short North Arts District or German Village . (more…)

Today’s post is written by one of our interns, David Jolly, who is a junior at Ohio Dominican University studying public relations.
_____________________

Distilleries disappeared in Ohio during the pre-prohibition era, but within the past year two micro-distilleries opened for business in Greater Columbus. With the addition of Middle West Spirits and Watershed Distillery, Columbus can now proudly serve its own vodkas, gin, whiskey and in 2013 its very own Bourbon.

Middle West Spirits

Middle West Spirits is now Central Ohio’s first and only true “grain-to-bottle” micro-distillery. Co-Owners Ryan Lang and Brady Konya produce OYO Vodka and OYO Whiskey. Ryan’s a third generation home distiller and his grandmother was even arrested for bootlegging during prohibition. He and Brady met after the two were relocated to Columbus when their significant others took jobs for the same local company. After watching the micro-distillery trend grow on the west coast, the two felt the time was right for Columbus and Ohio to get into the scene. They decided to name their artisan OYO after the original name for the Ohio River Valley (pronounced O-why-O).

Located in the Short North Arts District, the 3,200-sq-ft. open-air boutique distillery produces high-quality, artisanal spirits from scratch using only the best ingredients sourced from farms across Ohio. The distillery also serves as a brand showcase, spirits shop, educational venue, and art gallery. OYO demonstrates a perfect balance of cutting-edge technology, old-world traditions, and the finest, farm-fresh Ohio ingredients. The result is a vodka that comfortably sits shoulder-to-shoulder with the finest spirits in the world.

Middle West offers tours by appointment, and can accommodate groups ranging in size from 6-40. Tours and tastings last 30-60 min, depending upon group size, and can include additional cocktails showcasing local mixology at a variety of neighboring restaurants. All guests must be 21 years of age. Tours are free, with all donations going to the Ohio Art League.

Middle West Spirits offers OYO Vodka, OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka and, most recently, OYO Whiskey. All of their products are sold on site, through state liquor agencies, at bars, and through their website. For more information, to schedule a distillery tour and tasting, to find a retailer near you and to purchase OYO to be shipped anywhere in the U.S., visit www.middlewestspirits.com.

Watershed Distillery

While playing volleyball in Switzerland, Greg Lehman was so inspired by the small town he lived in and how it sourced everything locally that he became a hardcore locavore. Upon returning to Ohio, founder and head-distiller Lehman began work on what would become the newest addition to the very long history of micro-distilling in Ohio, Watershed Distillery. Located in Grandview Heights, Watershed Distillery offers two distinct spirits: Watershed Gin and Watershed Vodka.

With the creation of gin and vodka, Watershed Distillery is committed to creating small-batch artisan quality spirits using the finest ingredients available. In every aspect of the process, from the 100% natural ingredients to the custom built copper still, the care put into each bottle comes through in every sip.

Gin from Watershed Distillery, the company’s signature product, is a light, modern gin with a smooth body and a unique and aromatic blend of botanicals. Layered over the juniper note that one typically associates with gin and a combination of citrus peel which emphasizes an orange and grapefruit note, Watershed Distillery infuses a proprietary blend of seven other carefully selected botanicals and is 100% gluten free.

Vodka from Watershed Distillery is made of 100% corn grown in the Midwest, and is quadruple-distilled, giving the spirit a light body and smooth drinkability. Using corn allows a very subtle sweetness to the vodka, but the main attribute is its sheer purity. Like the gin, their vodka is gluten-free. Vodka from Watershed Distillery will appeal to lovers of traditional cocktails, as well as connoisseurs of ultra-premium sipping vodkas.

Watershed Distillery is expanding its product collection to include bourbon in 2013. The bourbon will be the first of its kind to be made in Columbus since the pre-prohibition era, making it Central Ohio’s first legal barreled bourbon.

Watershed offers tours for groups of up to 20 people. A tour through the facility consists of a walkthrough of the process from start to finish – everything from mashing to writing the batch number on the label. They also have a newly built tasting room where you can try spirits and play their official distillery game, Hammerschlagen.

For more information, to find a retailer selling or a bar serving gin and vodka from Watershed near you or to schedule a tour and tasting, visit www.watersheddistillery.com.

Cap City Fine Diner and Bar

This post is part 2 of a 7 part series featuring Columbus happy hours. Whether you like to head downtown or to the suburbs, we have you covered. Check back each week as Experience Columbus staff spotlight their favorite areas of Columbus to meet friends, share a drink and have some fun.

In this post, Arica explores the happy hour specials abundant in Grandview Heights. Stay tuned for future posts in the series as we explore the Short North Arts District , Park Street, downtown, the University District at OSU, Easton Town Center and Worthington.

Choosing a happy hour location in Grandview is all about atmosphere. Do you want to sip wine at a cellar? Have a cold beer while watching the game? Enjoy the weather on a patio with a cocktail? Or even shoot some pool with friends? Basically, Grandview has a little bit of everything you could want in a happy hour all in the 1.4 square miles I call home. So where do I go to unwind after my 8-5? All of them. (Just not in one night!) (more…)

Photo: Easton Town Center

Many of us are looking for inventive ways to keep ourselves in the holiday spirit, while still keeping money in our pockets. Here, I have just a few picks for free, family-friendly holiday things to do during the next three weekends in Columbus.

Eleventh Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Easton Town Center
November 20

Start off the holiday season tomorrow by bringing the family over to Easton Town Center for their Eleventh Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony. The whole center comes alive and starts off the shopping season with the lighting of their huge 50 foot tree, complete with an appearance by Santa. Carolers will be strolling around the sparkling streets of the center and the stores will be abuzz with sales.

Grandview Holiday Hop
Grandview Avenue, between 1st and 5th
November 28

Grandview Avenue comes alive with holiday spirit the Saturday after Thanksgiving. You can start by seeing a live reindeer exhibit at Arlington Bank and end by getting a free picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Tri-Village Studios. There are free horse-drawn sleigh rides for all ages up and down the Avenue throughout the night. Smell the holiday scents at The Candle Lab and check out other holiday crafts and treats along the way.

Village Lights
German Village
December 6

Experience the holiday charm of German Village during the holidays. The village is truly beautiful, with luminaries lit throughout the streets and park, and local businesses come out in full force this night with samples, holiday treats and specials. There is also an appearance by Santa, live entertainment and music to get you in the holiday spirit.

These events are sure to get you excited for the season, and you can search for even more here . Enjoy!

If you are looking for something to do with friends or family this weekend, I’d recommend the Taste of Grandview Heights .

Taking place on Sunday, October 4, The event features great appetizers, entrees and desserts served in sample-sized portions. They’re only a couple dollars apiece and will be served by some of the Grandview area’s best dining establishments. Add that on top of free admission and parking, and you have yourself one very affordable outing.

This year’s restaurant lineup includes Trattoria Roma, Hoggy’s, W.G. Grinders, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and other local establishments. The Taste of Grandview also features live bands and entertainment for adults and children. The Columbus Crew will be on hand with their Crew Soccer Tour, Columbus Young Professionals will be there with cornhole games, and SegAway Tours will give free Segway rides and lessons. For the kids, there will be a free children’s area that includes music, crafts, airbrush tattoos and a bounce-house.

Did you see how many times I mentioned the word FREE?! With so much for so little, you can’t afford not to come and have a great time.

Details:
Sunday, Oct. 4
2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
McKinley Field Park
1661 Goodale Boulevard
Columbus, OH 43212

Grandview Hop

This Saturday welcomes the second Grandview Hop of the year to Grandview Avenue. I attended last month’s hop and had a great time. Taking place the last Saturday of each month, this local street fair caters to all ages.

In the mood for a little shopping? Check out the local vendors lining the sidewalk, and choose from a number of one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items. You can find anything from an airbrush tattoo artist to a vintage cartoon button maker—and everything in between.

Did the shopping make you hungry? You’re in luck because Grandview Avenue is home to many delicious options. My personal favorite: Figlio Wood Fired Pizza . Their creative take on Italian gives you options like Avocado Bacon Pizza and Chicken Diablo Pasta. Or, if the weather permits, grab a seat at one of the outdoor restaurant patios and settle in for a great night of people watching.

This is Part 2 of a 2-part series posted on The Columbus Experience. Part 1 is by Amy Gatto Klein, who features her last-minute shopping gameplan. Part 2 is by Brian Cheek, who features some of his already-completed shopping stops made this holiday season.

With all of the talk about the economy, I tried to make a conscious effort to shop locally for Christmas this year. I wanted to support our Columbus merchants - those who would feel the effects of the economy first, those we can not afford to lose, and those who make Columbus what it is.

I’m typically a last-minute shopper like Amy, but this year I planned ahead and gave myself time to hit a few Columbus neighborhoods to find gifts.

• I started with Collier West in the Short North , a gorgeous store with a variety of wares including tabletop items by Michael Aram and decoupage pieces by John Derian . I received personal assistance, didn’t have to deal with a stressed-out sales person out to make a commission, and my purchase was packaged uniquely and ready to give.

• I still send good old-fashioned greeting cards (and actually, not just at Christmas but year round). For unique cards, I headed to my usual stop, Peabody Papers in Grandview. I love walking into a place that carries a variety of styles created by artists or companies with a specific style. You’re warmly greeted at Peabody Papers and given personalized individual attention - whether you’re there for a single card or a set of customized invitations.

• Since I work for Experience Columbus, it might seem cheesy to say I like to give a local "experience" as a gift. Well pass the Gouda, because the truth is that’s exactly what I like to do. I purchased tickets for a friend and me to take a Chef Series Cooking Class at the North Market . You can’t get more local then taking a cooking class from a Columbus area chef; ours will be taught by Paul Yow from Barcelona Restaurant & Bar . What I really love about this gift is that my friend would have never bought it for herself.

• I have nine nieces and nephews, so for their gifts I headed to Larson’s Toys and Games in Upper Arlington, a great alternative to big box toy stores. Larson’s carries a variety of classic wooden toys along with lines of toys from around the world. I never worry that I’ve bought the little ones in my life something they already have. Larson’s also offers free gift wrapping, all year round. Enough said.

• Finally, for my friend that has everything, I turned to food. Weiland’s Gourmet Market in Clintonville has a wide variety of seafood, meat, cheese and specialty international items. I chose an assortment of goodies specific to my friend’s tastes, and was able to do it all during one stop at this busy but friendly market.  Weiland’s also offers a wide selection of beer, wine and liquor. Their knowledgeable staff will help you find just the right drink to go with whatever you might be serving (and for some of you out there, they can help figure out which libation will get you through holiday get-togethers with the relatives).

Like art? How about sports? Want to do something a little different this weekend? If you said yes at least once, here are two events to check out. They’re both in Grandview Heights (just a hop from downtown), they’re both this weekend, and they’re both sure to be a unique experience:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

C-Note Art Show

Feel free to fall in love with the artwork here – every piece is only $100. Over 150 independent Columbus artists will be showcasing nearly 600 pieces of artwork. You’ll find every imaginable style of art – ceramics, paintings, jewelry, photography and woodwork will all be available.

• Preview Dec. 12, Show Dec. 13 at Junctionview Studios.
• Visit the C-Note site for complete schedule and admission info.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Skatemare Before Christmas II , presented by the Ohio Roller Girls

The Ohio Roller Girls is Columbus’ first and only all-female roller derby league. At the Skatemare Before Christmas II , you can cheer the ladies on during a derby style “gift exchange” (read: a few good hits and bruises given on the derby track). Dress warm and bring a chair.

• Dec. 13 at Central Ohio Roller Hockey . Doors open at 3:30 p.m., game starts at 4:30 p.m.
• Tickets: $5 with canned good donation. $6 regular admission.

One of the things I love about Columbus is the undercurrent of creativity that exists here. So imagine my delight when I learned that Tiny Canary will set up shop at Junctionview Studios this weekend. To quote from their Web site:

“Tiny Canary is a modern arts and crafts market inspired by the DIY craft movement. This event is designed to celebrate independent designers and artists locally and nationally while supporting the spirit of the handmade community.”

I am so there. And so is Columbus blogger CK of Creative Envy, who recently posted about the event. You can check out her thoughts here.

See you at Junctionview?