It Gets Chilly Around the Columbus Zoo

The new Polar Frontier is open at the Columbus Zoo!  It’s the world’s largest polar exhibit, including an underwater viewing area.  You can watch them up close while they play in their 1.3 acre habitat.  Here’s a video of the twin sister bears taking a swim.

DIY Project Turns Heads

I enjoy discovering DIY projects that involve recycling old pieces of furniture or clothing.  It’s a creative way to take something from average to conversation piece.   The other thing I love about DIY projects, they’re a great way to have unique pieces in your home that have character.  They enhance the mood by adding texture and depth to other pieces.

Take for instance this idea, from Ready Made and Centsational Girl, that details how to take an antique headboard and create a coat rack.    The instruction suggest cutting off the legs but after a lot of consideration, I would leave the legs attached, creating more space for hooks to hang scarves and umbrellas.  The project cost approximately $25. for supplies, not including the headboard.

If you need a workshop to create your rare coat rack check out The Columbus Idea Foundry.  They offer workshops and rental space for members.  If interested, contact them about their $25/month membership and benefits.   So start checking out yard sales and thrift stores for your headboard turned coat rack.   This is the perfect time to start your project.  After all, before we know it,  fall coats will come out of hiding.

Chipotle Lime Pulled Chicken

There is nothing like a slow roasted hen for infused flavors and taste.  This chipotle lime pulled chicken recipe from Tasty Kitchen is moist and delicious.  In fact it’s a favorite because I can let it cook all day in the crock pot, come home from work and it’s ready for a scrumptious meal.   If you prefer, serve it over a bed of Mexican rice or wrap it in a flour tortilla for burrito night.   There are so many options with this recipe so have fun and get creative!  If you want to pair it with a nice cold beer, try a blond or gold ale.

The Worst Places to Keep Your Stuff

“Wash you hands!” “Don’t touch that!” “Ooooh, that’s nasty!” These are all things I have said to my children when out and about outside of the home. I suppose I feel like my home is devoid of all germ-ridden creatures, but I really know that’s not true. It now appears researchers have been looking into our individual environments and how it effects our health.Our health can be compromised simply by where we store our medicine to which stall we pick in a public bathroom.

Oddly enough, some of these potential germ factories don’t surprise me, but a few caught me off guard and I will change things up at my house immediately.

Let’s see what the answers are to the question: “What’s the worst place…”

1.  To set your handbag. Answer: The kitchen counter
Think about it. If you are anything like me, you probably will set you purse down just about anywhere. I know I have had to put it down on the floor of a public bathroom, for example, and that has to be gross. If the bottom were swabbed and tested for bacteria, it would show up to be about 10,000 per square inch! The next time you need to put your handbag down, find a chair or drawer. Just don’t put it on your kitchen counter!

2. To keep your toothbrush. Answer: The bathroom sink
The sink is actually not the problem, the toilet is. Usually, sinks are located within a close proximity of the toilet and everytime you flush the potty, it can spray some of the 3.2 billion germs that reside there as far as 6 feet! It would be a better idea to put your toothbrush in a drawer or cabinet.

Want to know where the worst place is to store your sneakers and flip flops? How about cooling leftovers? Where is the worst place to sit on an airplane? Which stall should you pick in a public bathroom? The answers to these questions and more are available if you follow me to Today at MSNBC.com.

Photo courtesy of (nutmeg)

Dad Wants Claddagh’s for Father’s Day!

Claddagh Irish Pub ~ Polaris Parkway

8745 Sancus Blvd.
Columbus, Ohio 43240
Phone: (614) 885-0100
Fax: (614) 885-0957
Email: Polaris@claddaghIrishPubs.com
Website: CladdaghIrishPubs.com

Paws in the Park

FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH,
APRIL – DECEMBER

Paws in the Plaza

Join other dogs as they bring their owners to stroll through the paths, river walks, pet friendly shops, and visiting vendors and businesses in downtown Olde Gahanna. Enjoy special treats, free nail trimmings, and more!
Time: 4:30 – dusk
Location: Creekside Plaza, 123 Mill St., all around downtown Olde Gahanna
For more information: (614) 342-4041
Photo courtesy of Mike Baird

Tribute to Hometown Heroes of the Past, Present, & Future

The Rotary Club of Westerville Sunrise, May 28-31, 2010, Field of Heroes at the Westerville Sports Complex, www.fieldofheroes.org

On May 28, 2010, The Rotary Club of Westerville Sunrise will turn the Westerville Sports Complex, across from the Westerville Community Center into a spectacular display of American Flags to honor our heroes – past, present and future. The Rotary Club of Westerville Sunrise Field of Heroes is being held to honor our personal heroes – whoever they are to you - a family member, a friend, a mentor, a personal inspiration, a veteran, a member of the armed services, your favorite teacher, a policeman, fireman…

On Memorial Day Weekend, 2010, a spectacular visual display of 2000 full-size American Flags on 8-foot-poles will be ground-mounted across from the Westerville Community Center on Cleveland Avenue in Westerville, Ohio.
Joining the flag display this year will be THE MOVING WALL™, a Vietnam Veterans Memorial maintained by the Vietnam Combat Veterans, Ltd.

THE MOVING WALL™ is a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial wall in Washington DC. There are 58,262 names listed on the wall shown in chronological order from 1959 to 1975. THE MOVING WALL™ and the Field of Heroes will be open to the public day and night during Memorial Weekend.

THE MOVING WALL™ will arrive in Westerville on Thursday, May 27th and flags will be placed in the honor field from Friday through Monday. A special Opening ceremony is planned for Saturday at 10am which will include remarks from state and local representatives, a performance of a well-known local children’s choir, the honoring of our local heroes and a military flyover of the field. Additional activities are planned thoughout this weekend including a non-denominational service on Sunday. Flags may be picked up on Monday, May 31st from 1 to 5pm.

Show support for your hero. Become a part of this community event by purchasing a flag that will stand proudly in the Field of Heroes. After the Memorial Weekend the flag is yours to keep and continue to fly. This is an opportunity for us all to come together as a community to remember, to honor, and to heal.

The event is run and organized by the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club and all funds are handled by the Westerville Sunrise Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. The Field of Heroes is a Community Outreach service project for the Westerville Sunrise Rotary and not a fund-raising effort. A partnership of community organizations and businesses will join together to underwrite some of the expenses of the event and any proceeds will be given to the Westerville Parks Foundation to support the completion of the First Responder Park, which will showcase a memorial to 911 by displaying a piece of steel from the Twin Towers, Tower II.

Other nonprofit organizations are also helping to sell these flags. These organizations will receive partial proceeds. You may support these groups with your flag purchase when you order. Your Flag can be ordered at www.fieldofheroes.org using our secure credit card processing or mail to the below address to receive a brochure and order form. Note: Credit Card orders will only be accepted online or at the event.

Westerville Sunrise Field of Heroes
PO Box 1200
Westerville, OH 43086-1200

Flags are $30 for 3 ft. x 5 ft. flag that you will take home after the celebrations. Your flag will be flown with a tag to identify the person(s) you are honoring. It will be an additional $5 to have the flag sent to you. You can also show your support for your heroes by becoming a sponsor for this event. Sponsorships range from $125 to $2000. Sponsors will receive a range of recognition for their support of the 2010 Field of Heroes. Please request a list of sponsor benefits for more details.

Volunteers are needed to help set up the field, security shifts for day and night and for field take down. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Tonya Hardgrove, if you would like to volunteer at 614-827-9400 or by email at tonya@hardgrovefire.com.

Photo courtesy of  Brian J. McDermott

16th Annual Asian Festival May 29-30, 2010

Come and experience the 18th Annual Asian Festival on Saturday, May 29th and Sunday, May 30th at Franklin Park in beautiful Columbus, Ohio. This festival showcases Asian culture and heritage, and will feature artists from all over the world who will perform their native dance. Participate in hands-on art demonstrations, Tai Chi and martial arts workshops.

Enjoy delicious Asian cuisine, arts and crafts and Asian games such as Mahjong, Takraw and table tennis. Admission is free. For more information, please call 614.451.3550 or 614.402.3384. You may also find more information on their website: Asian Festival.
Photo courtesy of  Eustaquio Santimano’s

Yummiest Breakfast Casserole Ever!

I have been making this breakfast recipe for years and it’s especially easy and delicious! Let me know what you think!

Sausage and Egg Morning Casserole

1 packaged mild sausage (cooked, drained and crumbled)
4 cups cubed day old bread
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
10 eggs, slightly beaten
4 cups milk
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. onion powder
Fresh ground pepper to tast
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
1/2 cup peeled, chopped tomatoes (optional)

Place bread in well-buttered 9 x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Combine eggs, milk, dry mustard, salt, onion powder, pepper. Pour evenly over the bread and cheese. Sprinkle sausage and optional ingredients over the top. I like to add more cheese! Cover and chill overnight. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Bake uncovered for about one hour. Tent with foil if top begins to brown too quickly. Serves  6-8 people.

Photo courtesy of   RBerteig

Weekend Fun!

Dragonboat Exhibition

Schedule of Events and Videos

Photo courtesy of Adrian F

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