For many, the Short North is thought to be the heart of Columbus. The city’s arts district attracts people of all ages and interests, providing a creative community in which restaurants, retail, and galleries may all coexist. Some individuals love the area so much that they have made it their livelihood. These people are those serving you your decadent drink at a bar, or hosting exhibitions at your favorite gallery. These people are the entrepreneurs of the Short North.

You all have your favorite aspects of the Short North, be it the atmosphere, the convenience, or that bakery with the best cupcakes- but what about them? What is it that they love about Short North, so much that they decided to build their business here?

Charly Bauer, of Jeni’s Ice Cream: “I love walking under the arches at night in the snow with my wife after dinner and a glass of wine.”

Sevell, of Sevell + Sevell: “A sense of Gemeenschap!” (Which means “community” in Dutch).

Misty Linn, of Keller Williams: “I love that I can live, work, walk, and play in an area that offers a safe and diverse environment. No matter how you would like to spend your evening, there is something to do for everyone.  You can throw on your favorite jeans or your fanciest dress, create an unforgettable evening, or have a great day shopping with friends. It’s all here!”

The Short North has such a unique variety of shops, one for every mood, craving, or occasion, and Valentine’s date night is no exception. With many restaurants to choose from, this year we’re longing for DeepWood. Whether you would like to make formal reservations in the refined Dining Room, or lighten the mood and relax at The Tavern, Executive Chef Brian Pawlak will create a special holiday menu just for the occasion. Be ready for an extraordinary treat from this al la carte menu either Saturday, February 12th, or Monday, February14th.

After your delicious dinner, don’t forget to pick up a few treats for a romantic evening at home.
Perfect for a festive dessert, grab a pint of Jeni’s Kir Sorbet. The reinterpretation of the classic French cocktail, the Kir Royal, this delightful combination of raspberries and currants is a must to be paired with a bottle of bubbly. Simply combine in a champagne flute and viola!

Many will argue it’s not Valentine’s Day without chocolate! If you are of the same mind, Le Chocoholique is nothing but paradise. Beautiful pieces of chocolate are more like works of art than confection, and the flavor profiles are exceptional.  The fabulous boutique sells their delicious and creative chocolates until 10 pm, which is perfect for those late night cravings. Try the Cayenne Pepper Truffle to warm up on a cold night.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Installation of the first 1,000 new smart meters in Columbus has begun. The Short North is one of the first areas to receive these new meters accepting all major credit cards as well as coins and parking cards sold by the city. 1,000 new smart meters will be installed annually until all of the city’s 4,000 meters are replaced. Thirty-five of these new meters were tested on East Gay Street in 2009 and received positive feedback from patrons.

The city plans on refurbishing 500 of the old meters that are being replaced with smart meters and installing them in locations that currently do not have meters. Some of the money received from the recent change in meter prices is being used to fund these smart meters.

Other areas in Columbus to receive the first set of installation include The North Market area, Gay Street, Grandview Avenue, and the Arena and Brewery Districts.

Parking meters are mechanical entities that are known to break down from time to time. If you park at a meter that won’t accept your payment or register time on the meter, please report it so that it can be repaired and move your car to a working meter.  Cars parked at broken meters can be ticketed.

You can report a broken meter by calling the 311 line (645-3111) Monday through Friday, 7am-6pm or online: http://publicservice.columbus.gov/Forms.aspx?ekfrm=31888. Make note of the meter number that appears on the meter head and the meter location. It will be part of the report.

The best way to describe Hubbard Grille, the newest restaurant to open in the Short North, is “unscripted,” says General Manager Daniel Morris. Morris would like for people to think of Hubbard Grille as a place that they can come and create their own unique experiences.

Hubbard Grille prides itself on being a place that isn’t set to a certain kind of feel or a certain type of guest, but a place for everyone: the PBR drinker eating black and tan onion rings or the person ordering a bottle of wine and a filet.

The menu is filled with polished American classics that are sure to please.  “We are serious about the food, but don’t take ourselves too seriously. The food is approachable but well thought out,” says Morris.  The restaurant features private tier tap tables which allow customers to operate the taps, serve themselves, and get a digital read of how much they have drank right at their table.  Located upstairs is a lounge area overlooking the tables below in addition to a private dining area which can be rented for customers to relax and enjoy.

Taste Hospitality had a strong desire to open Hubbard Grille in the Short North for a while, so naturally when the space became available it felt right to open. “The bar is set really high in the Short North- we’re in the big leagues now. The people here do what they do very well,” says Morris, who was anxious to be a part of the Short North community. Hubbard Grille is thrilled to be in the Short North and complement its’ neighbors while offering something very unique.

Morris says the best part about opening in the Short North are his fellow Short North Business owners. “We are extremely proud to be a part of this neighborhood. We’ve had nothing but great experiences and have been very welcomed,” says Morris. The welcoming effort has been so great, in fact, that Hubbard Grille is now working with Middle West Spirits, Le Chocoholique, and Vino 100 to feature OYO vodka and chocolates on the menu. Vino 100 and HG will offer monthly wine or beer tastings as well.

Morris would like to especially thank Le Chocoholique, Middle West Spirits, Vino 100, Da Levee, Press Grill, The Rossi, The Wood Companies and DCI for the amount of time, insight and support they have shared with him.

When Brad Howe decided to open Short North Fitness, he was looking for a community atmosphere that was hip and energized. Landing that business in the district, directly below The Jackson, provided him just that. Howe chose the Short North because of its community appeal, however he was also hoping to cater to what appeared to be an under served area in terms of gym availability. Residents of the district were previously limited in choice between a variety of corporate gyms that were further away. Now, residents have the opportunity to develop their fitness close to home and in a more urban setting.

The Short North Fitness Team has a deep background in personal training and unique class offerings.  SNF is combining with muliple fitness trainers who have experience in various fitness regiments.  Limiting their membership to around 1,000 member, the Short North Fitness team is hoping to foster an individual relationship with every member through their classes and training sessions.

Currently, SNF offers classes ranging from Power Yoga to Rock-n-Abs to Zumba, in addition to regular personal training sessions and a full gym. Furthermore, the classes are available to those who choose to forgo a gym membership but want to indulge in a specific class. In the near future, Short North Fitness will be adding a mind & spirit, spinning and high intensity section of their facilities.

SNF is going above and beyond their fitness initiative. Collaborating with Level, Short North Fitness continues their dedication to community in creating a healthy menu option for members. Food from the menu will be available via direct catering to the gym. In addition to their partnership with Level, Short North Fitness is also heavily involved with the Jackson. Residents have the opportunity to have a one-year free membership to the gym.

With their focus on individuals and community, what’s not to love about the district’s newest workout facility, Short North Fitness?

If you take a stroll down through the Short North Arts District you will quickly notice the creativity and originality that flows through the street. But this creativity doesn’t end with our businesses because now it can be your turn to get creative! In the Short North you can learn to design and reinvent your own works of art.

Substance Design Lab Workshops: For those of you who are inspired by shows like Project Runway and want to customize your clothes the design lab workshops at Substance are a great way to get started.  The shop offers three different design labs: The Tee Shirt Renovation, which you will learn to deconstruct and redesign a Private Label tee, The Antique Block Printing workshop which teaches hand painting techniques and stamping on a Private Label tee and the Re-Design an Old Favorite Workshop, which allows you to re-work one of your own pieces to make it feel new again.

The best part of these workshops is that they are flexible to your schedule. All you need is a minimum of three participants (or you can make some new friends by joining another group) and to call 72 hours before your desired day and time. It’s that easy! Participants even receive a 10% discount on all purchases made on the day of the workshop.

Learn to Paint at Terra Gallery: If you are looking for a romantic way to get creative Terra Gallery now offers a date night of painting lessons. The lesson includes snacks, wine and basic painting instruction.  Lessons can also be done independently as well.  It’s the perfect way to not only get to know yourself or your date but also to tap into your inner creativity. No skill is required but that doesn’t mean that if you already have painting experience that this lesson wont be fun.

Camelot Cellars Experience: Created for those who know nothing and those who know everything about wine, Camelot Cellars has created a unique experience: wine making. Through Camelot Cellars you can create your own private reserve (28-30 bottles). You will follow your wine through the whole process beginning with fermentation and ending with designing a label for your wine.

Creating your own wine is not your only option in getting creative with wine. Camelot Cellars offers wine tasting, tips on how to store your wine, and recipes that incorporate different wines.  This allows you to get creative even during your busy workweek.

Adore House of Bloomsbury Loft: If you are looking to create that touch of something special for your home, Adore is the place to go. Currently specializing in a handmade holiday wreath workshops, Adore can teach you to make all kinds of fun things from necklaces, to personalized pillows all in their own workshop.

With only a few weeks to go, our Highball Halloween committee is in full blown planning mode, but don’t worry there is fun to be had in designing an event for 25,000+ attendees. After all with high fashion, fun for kids and dog costumes the excitement of Highball 2010 Curiouser and Curiouser has already begun.

When asked what the funnest part of planning is Carmen Owens of Surly Girl Saloon replied, “Doing the promotion has been so much fun! Getting out on the street in costume and getting people excited about the event. I didn’t think I’d have that much fun but it was a blast. I get to hang out with Diesha, Charly and Dave!”

After walking to district as the Mad Hatter on this past weekend’s Gallery Hop committee chairman, Charly Bauer of Jeni’s Ice Cream is “most excited about the VIP and the staging area. This year we will have a high-end experience with a heated tent, private bar, and front stage viewing.  Get your tickets now, they are only $50 before October 15th. And the large projection system in the several areas of the event area will give the crowd a view of the show from anywhere!”

In order to make the VIP tent and these multiple projection systems a reality Kasey Skobel-Conyers, of Bliss Wedding and Event Design, has worked to create a design that maximizes the viewer experience. “When it comes to planning organization is key and so is trusting your team. I think the most fun has been dreaming up the design and the day of the event when it all comes together is one of my favorite moments”.

SNBA Membership Director Jessica Stopp has taken charge of this year’s Dogtober, Dog Costume Contest. “Events in the Short North always bring out the creativity in people. The Dogtober Halloween Costume Contest is no different! I’m really looking forward to seeing the fabulous dog costumes pet owners bring to the show. We hope to draw dogs and owners not only from the Short North but from all over Central Ohio. Most of all, we want everyone and every dog to have fun!”

For the little ones, the Kid Zone, organized by Sarah Delay of Little Dreamers Big Believers Daycare, will be full of Halloween excitement. The Kid’s Zone will have The Shazzbotz, a kids rock band, performing. For a burst of Halloween fun a bounce house will be the perfect place to share in the fun with other costumed mini-masques. Jeni’s Ice Cream will be there for kids to have a treat during the kid fashion show.

The focal point of the event is the Costume Couture Fashion Showdown.  It features 11 professional designers who compete for the title of HighBall Costume of the Year.  “It’s extraordinary to have some returning designers as their third year in a row and add some new faces,” says Diesha Condon, Senior Director Short North Business Association.  “In the costume fitting meetings and hair & make-up consultations the committee is learning how incredibly talented they each are and will bring to the runway unique individuality in their designs.”

“The best part of the Highball Marketing plan is working with our exceptionally dedicated media partners; Columbus Alive, Columbus Parent, The CW, CD 101 and Columbus Underground.  We’ve had a ton of fun with the creative messaging, ads, and commercials”, said Diesha. “The CW did a 30-second commercial and it was invigorating choosing some of the best images and footage.” The commercial will be shown before all the movies at the Arena Grand Movie Theater during the entire month of October. Watch the video now… HighBall Halloween October 30, 2010

Is the SNBA promoting gratuitous sex, homosexuality and obscene language?

For those of you who attended the Short North’s Got Talent show earlier this month, you witnessed the ladies (and James) of the SNBA re-enact a scene from the TV show Glee.

But according to The Parents Television Council, quoted in an article on Christwire.org, Glee is chock full of “gratuitous sex, explicit dialogue and obscene language” as well as “homosexuality,” “steamy shower scenes” and “drug use.” The author goes on to also say “Additionally, the show has far too many musical numbers.”

Anyway, if you stumble upon this site, as I have, you can only gather that by re-creating a scene from Glee, the SNBA promotes those values. So I say “Let’s hear it for the SNBA crew!”

What I find so amazing (and entertaining) is the skewed perspective and paranoia of this group. Another quote from the article says “How many middle-aged men will find themselves in a dead-end Glee-based lifestyle? Will they be ostentatious and sensitive… Crying out to have that giant hole in their souls stuffed with some musky foreign thrill?” By the way, “musky foreign thrill” in the article links you to another article titled “Sodomy Is Never The Answer.” (Musky Foreign Thrill sounds like an opening act for Bare Naked Ladies. - ed.)

I have to say, this author is a never-ending source of entertainment! But paranoia is not new for this author. It would not be fair, or humorous, if I didn’t share one more tidbit from this article… so here goes. The author continues by saying: “Recently, I wrote about studies that revealed the dangerous influence the tv show ‘The Golden Girls’ had on American men now in their 30s, 40s and 50s… and increased risks of homosexual behavior. In a nutshell, the Golden Girls turned a generation away from procreation.”

Damn! I’m just glad no one from this group was at “The Short North’s Got Talent” show! (The Bea Arthur impersonator would have given them the vapors. Just kidding - there was no Bea Arthur impersonator this year. - ed.)

Decide for yourself how sinful song and dance can be.

Check out the youtube videos of Short North’s Got Talent!