In both movies: “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and “Back to the Future 2″, there were parallel universes that showed what those respective communities would look like if a difference sequence of events happened.

And in both movies, the alternate reality wasn’t pretty. Curiously, both had striking similarities showing their alternative futures consisting of greed, corruption and really bad signage.

Why was I thinking of this? Well, in an alternate reality, the Short North could’ve been a very different place as well.

If the Short North Business Association didn’t (or didn’t continue) to exist, we would all see very different views outside our front windows than we do now. That alternative reality would be one where blatant commercialism takes over the Gallery Hops, homeless folks begging on High Street would be more prominent, the cost of parking meters would be more and, oh yes, really bad signage would be the norm.

Every day the folks at, and volunteers of, the SNBA work to make a difference. But unfortunately, it seems like not every Short North business owner sees the benefits… unless they’re paying close attention. I’m not sure everyone realizes just how much the SNBA does on their behalf, because if they did, way more people would be involved. At a minimum, simply by supporting the SNBA by being a member.

As Collin Castore, owner of Bodega, puts it: “For a relatively small contribution there is an entire staff of talented individuals who bring publicity & opportunity to the neighborhood.”  So obviously, Collin is paying attention. And granted, so are lots of other businesses, but not enough, because I think only half of the business in the area are supporting the SNBA by being members.

The SNBA works to make the Short North better, safer, and more prosperous for the businesses here. The work they do benefits all our futures.

So if we want to continue having a wonderful life right here in the Short North, let’s support the SNBA.

And that’s the view from my window…

This weeks blog is by Barb Ebright, COO of Mukha Spa & Mukha Essentials

Ahhh… the Short North!  I’m not even sure where to begin.  I suppose I should start with the fact that it’s not so much the VIEW outside my window but the EXPERIENCE outside my window that I love most about working in the Short North, especially this time of year.

Having always lived in the “burbs”, coming to work everyday in the Short North is such an exciting experience on every level.  The interesting architecture, the amazing art seen everywhere you turn, the outstanding food and drink options right at my fingertips, and everything in-between.  When leaving work, there are few evenings that I walk to my car not thinking about how much I’d like to trade-in my suburban home and lifestyle for a far more interesting way of life in the Short North.  Who knows, maybe some day!

Then there’s working with the amazing talents of Tim Maurer and Sanito Mendoza, owners of Mukha.  It has been a great privilege to work with them the past three years on product development, staff development, and everything in between.   Finding personal beauty is an art, and it’s so exciting to be a part of this very special art form right here in the heart of the Short North.

First class experience… that’s what I see both inside and outside the windows of Mukha.  The people, more than any other aspect of the Short North, are the most rewarding part of the area.  Where else can you greet everyone on the streets - from the business owners to the casual strollers - and feel like you are REALLY part of something special?  Not many places can boast this characteristic.

As a very wise woman once told me many years ago, there is a season for everything.  This is such an exciting season for the Short North, for so many reasons.  I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of it all!

The biggest sale of the year will be coming to the Short North District this month!  The Short North Winter Sale will be held January 22, 23 and 24.  This three day sale features incredible deals in the district’s favorite shops!  Mark your calender and come see what the Short North Arts District has to offer!  Save up to 80% on apparel, accessories, art, and more!  Core hours for the sale will be 11am to 6pm Friday & Saturday and 12pm to 5pm on Sunday (Some merchants will not be open on Sunday).  Come early for the best selection and enjoy the district!

Sample savings

Alexander’s Jewelers – 30% off all B Tiff Items

Bakery Gingham – 20% off all in-store cupcakes

Big Rock Little Rooster – Vera Wang Trunk Show Jan 21-23 - Sprig 2010 collection.  Brides receive 10% off. Appointments are required - Call 614-754-8116

Collier West – 25-75% off + $25 gift card for all purchases over $150

Emperor’s Newest Clothes – 20% - 50% off fall and winter items

Global Gallery - 20% off Alpaca Winter Wear

Go Figure Consignment – 20%-50% off outerwear & formal attire

GrandView Mercantile – 10 day sale starting Jan 22 offering 15% - 50% off

Ladybird– Fall/Winter holiday fashions 40% - 70% off

Luxe di vie - 80% off

Visit our site to see a full list of our merchants:  http://shortnorth.org/news.asp?n=212

The Short North Business Association (SNBA)

is accepting applications for the position of

Senior Director

Deadline for submissions: November 27, 2009
Submit resume, cover letter and references to:

Mail:
SNBA Senior Director Search Committee
1126 1/2 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43201

Email:
info@shortnorth.org

Job Description:
The Senior Director serves as the chief administrative officer of the Association and reports to the SNBA’s Board of Directors.  He or she has primary responsibility for the marketing and ongoing development of the District.  The role demands a number of high level competencies, the most important of which is the ability to develop and maintain coalitions with the District’s diverse array of business owners, its local residential community, city and state officials, the media, and the many corporate and nonprofit partners of the Arts District.

The following is a partial list of tasks for which the Senior Director is responsible:

* Oversight of the Short North website and social media outlets, Guide/Pocket Map, in shop marketing materials, Way Finding Kiosks

* Board and Board Committee meetings

* Collaborative work with the Associate Director for Membership Relations on SNBA member meetings

* Community liaison with the Short North Special Improvement District, Victorian Village, Italian Village, and Harrison West

* District amenities (such as safety, parking, lighting)

* Citywide Liaison (including: City of Columbus, Chamber of Commerce, Experience Columbus, CCAD, The Ohio State University, Arena District,     Downtown Capital Crossroads SID, Convention Center, North Market, Wexner Center, South Campus Gateway, and the University Area)

* Small events coordination (primarily promotional projects)

* Public Relations

* Identification and execution of fund raising events to further the work of the Arts District

The successful candidate will possess the following skills and personal attributes:

* Excellent ability to build networks with diverse groups of constituents

* Comfort in speaking with the media, civic leaders and corporate executives

* Skill at public speaking and in fashioning engaging presentations

* A diplomatic personality

* An ability to listen non-defensively

* A collaborative spirit

* An eagerness to learn and to take appropriate risks for the good of the District

* An ability to be tactfully assertive and/or to negotiate as the situation dictates

* Proficiency with Photoshop, Excel, Word, PowerPoint or equivalent design and communication tools

* The candidate should have a Bachelors degree in public relations, marketing or business communications with professional experience in one or all of these disciplines

Salary range is between $40,000 - $50,000 based on experience and qualifications

The SNBA Board’s goal is to complete the hiring process by the beginning of 2010

With 7 days until HighBall Halloween, pagetech limited and TechArt Productions are working hard finalizing details.

“It takes months of preparation for an event of this size,” explains Dan Brightfellar, TechArt Sales Representative. “There are lots of individual pieces that have to all work together like a tinker-toy.”

The production process starts with the overall event concept. The vision. The experience. From street layout, stage placement, food vendor placement, trash dumpsters, porta-johns, beverage tents, gates and all the rest, the specifics of the event are taken into consideration. Then the team of designers from pagetech and TechArt merge all the ideas and prepare a final layout design based on functionality and execution.

“The challenge is always trying to bring everyone’s great ideas together to make it all fit within budget.” says Jeremy Andrews, TechArt Production Manager.

The designers then give Jeremy the specs so he can devise a plan of implementation to delegate to the leads of each department. For HighBall, the Lighting team will build 4 struts for the stage plus lighting throughout the event. The Video team will construct four large screens; two on stage and one at each end of High Street at the gates. The Sound team will set up three full speaker systems to create an enclosed sound zone as if the audience is stepping into an outdoor nightclub. The Stage and Rigging team will construct an 80 ft runway with a frame built on all four sides that is 25 feet high.

Jeremy says, “I don’t really think people know the amount of time this all takes, but our philosophy is always Make It Happen.”
The day of the event a crew of 20-25 people will start at 6am and will have everything set up by 4pm.  “The entire production process is very exciting because it takes the vision and brings it to life.  We look forward to giving the crowd a genuine ‘WOW’ moment.”  Jeremy concludes.

Don’t miss HighBall Halloween Masquarade on High Street (between 5th and 3rd) Saturday, October 31st!

www.highballhalloween.com

HighBall Halloween is just around the corner and creating a costume for your little one may be haunting your bank account. Here are a few tips to help you save money and create a show-stopping ensemble for your little pumpkin.

• Bunch of grapes: Take purple, green or red pajamas and cover them with round balloons of the same color. Make two large leaves out of paper and attach them to two sides of a brown or green cap to make the stem.
• Bubble gum on a shoe: Take a pink hoodie, sew a flip flop on the top of the hood and call yourself bubble gum stuck on a shoe. Chew bubble gum, of course, and girls can even add pink blush.
• Picnic: Find a red-and-white checkered shirt. Tack on paper plates, plastic utensils and a plastic cup to the back like a place setting. Add sunglasses, a basket and/or a hotdog.
• Bouquet of flowers: Take a colorful hoodie and attach silk or plastic flowers and greenery all over it like a flower arrangement. Tie some cellophane or brown paper around the hips with an index card (gift card) sticking out.

(Above tips courtesy RuBen Permel, head of wardrobe at Cirque du Soleil’s new Elvis show at Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter in Las Vegas.)

• Mummy: Wrap rolls of gauze around the child, leaving plenty of room around the mouth and eyes for them to breathe and see. Be sure that no long strings of gauze are dragging behind them that could cause them to trip or get snagged.

(Above tip courtesy Jack Ricks, Head of Wardrobe at Zumanity at New York New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.)

CALLING COSTUME-CRAZED PET OWNERS!!

Howl-o-ween Pet Costume Competition

Hosted by Posh Pets and Three Dog Bakery

HighBall Halloween isn’t only for people…Disguise your Dalmatian, suit up your Saint and gussy up your Golden for an All Hallow’s Eve Dogtober Procession right down High Street.

Dog’s from all over Columbus will be strutting their fur down the runway from 5:30-6pm during HighBall Halloween.  Registration begins at 4 p.m.

Get there early to reserve your pooch a place on the runway!!

http://www.threedogcolumbus.com/

http://www.threedogcolumbus.com/

HighBall presented by pagetech limited is THE masquerade event experience of the Midwest. On Saturday, October 31, All Hallow’s Eve, the Arts District brings back the sensational HighBall Halloween: Masquerade on High. A cross between Carnivale and Mardi Gras with a pinch of Halloween and a healthy splash of the Short North’s artistic spirit. Picture an 80-foot runway directly on High Street under the glowing arches. Do you have what it takes to be selected for the runway? Thousands will try. 40 will make it. One will win HighBall Halloween Costume of the Year.

The event will feature outrageous costume contests for the general public, a Couture Costume Fashion Showdown for fashion professionals, the Dogtober Howlloween

Procession for costume-crazed pet owners, Mini-Masques costume contest for children, the city’s hottest DJs, and all the artistic creativity one would expect of the Short North. $5,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to participants in the various competitions. And don’t forget Project Runway designers Althea Harper (Season 6) and Terri Stevens (Season 5).