Oktoberfest Cancelled by GVS for 2009

clipped from www.columbusunderground.com Update: The rumor has been confirmed. Oktoberfest has been cancelled. The rumor mill is buzzing this morning with unconfirmed news that Oktoberfest has been cancelled for 2009. If it turns out to be true, it should come as no surprise, as the changes to the event location and structure have caused a lot of turmoil between German Village residents, the German Village Society, and new GVS Executive Director Erin O’Donnell. According to this news story published in This Week News yesterday, Director O’Donnell has resigned yesterday after serving less than seven months in the position. She mentions that the budget of the GVS is not in good shape, and new fundraising is needed. Oktoberfest serves as one of the main annual fundraisers for the organization, and if it were cancelled it would probably mean a pretty large blow to GVS operations. Update #2: Apparently, an anonymous $20,000 bribe donation was was given to GVS to keep Oktoberfest from happening this year

How to Prepare Your Home Before Vacation

Summer vacations can be the perfect time to kick back and relax. And you don’t want you have to worry about the safety of your home while you’re away. To ensure that your home is well protected and cared for, pre-vacation prep is a must.

Nobody likes returning home from a relaxing vacation to find, dead plants, over-stuffed mail boxes or even worse, burglary. Here are some things that can help ensure your peace of mind when you’re away on vacation.


Security Is Top Priority

Security is probably the first issue people think about when going on vacation. Purchasing light timers is a cheap, fast and easy way to create a home security system. Be sure the timing is staggered so that your lights don’t come on at the same time each day. If you do have a home security system, it may still be necessary to use light timers. Also, alert your security company of your absence. If you are leaving cars behind while vacationing, park them in the driveway to give the illusion that somebody is home. And of course tell your neighbors. They will keep an extra watchful eye on your home while you’re away.


Maintaining Your Property

A yard will stay well maintained for about seven days before it begins to look overgrown. If you’re on vacation longer than that, make sure you hire someone to care for your lawn, flower and vegetable garden—even if it’s just the neighbor boy looking to make some extra summer money.

Managing the mail and newspapers is also important. If you’re going away for an extended amount of time, you may want to request that the post office halt the delivery of your mail altogether. Otherwise, have a friend or trusted neighbor pick up your mail and newspapers.


Vital Odds and Ends

Make it a point to turn off the stove and unplug the dishwasher, coffee pot and other small appliances before you leave. Also, make sure to unplug larger appliances like your television and computer so that a potential storm doesn’t cause your electronics to power surge and start a fire.

If you have pets at home, make sure you have secured a spot at the vet for them or friend who is willing to play with them and let them out daily.

And of course, close and lock all windows.

Weekend Brunch Options in Columbus

Nice article from Walker...click on the link for the entire article.

clipped from www.columbusunderground.com It’s the weekend. You’ve slept in. You’re in the mood for breakfast, but it’s also just about time for lunch. Guess that means it’s time to head out for some weekend brunch! There are loads of brunch options all over Columbus, but we’ve narrowed down a quick list of 10 choices to help you decide where to go. Read on for menus, prices, and dish descriptions that will make your stomach growl. Banana Bean Cafe - German Village / Greenlawn - Menu (PDF) - Prices $10-15 Barrio - Downtown - Menu - Prices $7-17 Bodega - Short North - Menu (image) - Prices $5-8 Due Amici - Downtown - Menu - Prices $8-15 Lindey’s - German Village - Menu (PDF) - Prices $9-16 Northstar Cafe - Short North / Beechwold - Menu (PDF) - Prices $7-12 Sage American Bistro - North Campus - Menu - Prices $6-10 Tasi Cafe - Short North - Menu - Prices $6-10 Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails - Downtown - Menu (PDF) - Prices $7-9 ZenCha Tea Salon - Short North - Menu (image) - Prices $9-10

HRC announces Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal Tour

clipped from www.hrcbackstory.org Next week the Human Rights Campaign will launch a national tour to encourage repeal of the failed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in conjunction with Servicemembers United.  The kick off event will be a National Press Club Newsmakers press conference this coming Wednesday, July 8th at 10 a.m. in the Zenger Room, 13th floor, National Press Building, 529 14th St., N.W. U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), a veteran of the Iraq war, will attend along with gay, lesbian and straight veterans, including: Eric Alva, the first wounded veteran in the Iraq War; Jarrod Chlapowski, a former U.S. Army Korean linguist who opted to not re-enlist because of DADT and is currently a public policy advocate at the Human Rights Campaign; and Alex Nicholson, a U.S. Army veteran fluent in Arabic discharged under DADT and current executive director of Servicemembers United. The Human Rights Campaign and Servicemembers United are both organizations leading the repeal effort on Capitol Hill.

Ohioans Support Ban On Anti-Gay Discrimination, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds

clipped from www.quinnipiac.edu Voters support 57 - 35 percent pending state legislation that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. Ohio voters oppose same-sex marriage 60 - 33 percent and tie 46 - 47 percent on support for same-sex civil unions. Democrats split 47 - 46 percent on same-sex marriage, which is opposed 82 -16 percent by Republicans and 56 - 35 percent by independent voters. Opposition is 61 - 31 percent among white Catholics, 68 - 26 percent among white Protestants and 80 - 16 percent among white evangelical Christians. Same-sex civil unions wins 53 - 40 percent support from Democrats and 50 - 39 percent support from independent voters, with Republicans opposed 62 - 33 percent. From June 26 - July 1, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,259 Ohio voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.

Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace Is Now Open! 248 S 4th St (Downtown)

I missed the Opening!!! I was out of town at the White House

clipped from www.columbusunderground.com By Walker | June 28, 2009 6:09pm | Filed under Dining | Comments After over a year of delays and setbacks, Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace is scheduled to officially open on Wednesday, July 1st at 4pm. Hot dog fans will be treated to a variety of menu choices with toppings ranging from Sriracha Slaw to Beef Brisket to Kim Chee to Indian Mango Chutney. Drinks include Frostop Root Beer, Cherry and Lime Slushies, a variety of specialty draught beers and one-of-a-kind cocktails. The interior of the restaurant has been completely revamped, and includes a bright red-and-yellow color palette. In the photos below, you can see that the walls are adorned with paintings by artist Thom Lessner. We have PDF files of the menus posted up here: drink menu / food menu. Dirty Frank’s is located at 248 South Fourth Street and will be open every day of the week from 11am to 2am. More info will be online soon at DirtyFranksColumbus.com.

The Washington Blade: An ill-advised protest March on Washington is a waste of time and precious resources

I have to say....I agree with Peter. This is a waste of resources and will not bring us one congressional vote! It is time for us to do the hard work in the congressional districts!

clipped from www.washblade.com Jun 26, 2009 | By: Peter Rosenstein HAVING PARTICIPATED IN a number of marches on Washington, I think the few people who are focusing their energy on this ought to find something more productive to do. Before we ask our community to spend the time and money — and make no mistake a march on Washington is an expensive proposition — we should look at who we will influence with the march. Are we going to attack the Congress and the president we just helped to elect? What are the threats we will use to move them any faster than they are now moving or can move? Will we threaten to stay home during the next election cycle? Will we threaten to vote for conservative Republicans next time? Will we withhold our money in 2010 and who will that help? We need to focus our energy on the work to be done state by state and not ask our community to waste their time and money to come to Washington for another potentially feel-good march that will produce no tangible results.