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Let’s Go To SPACE: Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo in Columbus, Ohio
Join Best of Columbus and hundreds of innovative minds at the annual Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo this weekend in Columbus, Ohio. S.P.A.C.E. , now in it’s 13th year, is the midwest’s largest exhibition of small press and creator owned comics.
I will be there conducting interviews and moderating the Kickstarter 101 panel featuring: Read more…
Hal & Al’s: Columbus Vegan Bar
The best way to discover Hal & Al’s vegan bar is by surprise. When my date spoke the name of this place, my ears heard “howlin’ Al’s”. I had never heard of Howlin’ Al’s and I’m always up for some live music so I just hopped in the car. He told me it was on the south side of Columbus and there would be line dancing. If there hadn’t been snow on the ground, I would have maybe done a tuck-n-roll out of the car at that moment. We came up Parsons Avenue and I spotted Hal & Al’s. ’Where the heck are we going?’ I asked as we parked across the street in front of a boarded up building. (There were several boarded up buildings from which to choose.) From the outside, this place didn’t look much different from other bars commonly seen in Columbus’ economically blighted areas. Think of a small, one story Read more…
Max Ink: Best of Columbus Interview
When I’m looking for people to interview for Best of Columbus readers, I try to find interesting and innovative people. I’ve found another good one here. Tracking down Max Ink is no easy task. The Columbus Comic Book Artist and Writer has been busy pulling off incredible feats of strength and endurance. Luckily, I was able to talk with Max during one of his rare moments of downtime.
What’s your work environment? Do you work out of a studio of sorts?
I have a drawing table at home, but I rarely use it. One of the things I love about making comics is how simple Read more…
Get Lost in the Book Loft
The Book Loft is not your average book shop: it has thirty-two rooms with thousands of books from the ceiling to the floor. That’s not a typo—32 rooms. Located in the charming German Village area, the shop is reminiscent of an earlier time as you walk down the brick paths to the entrance. You might imagine the streets of a scene straight out of a Dickens novel. That would be no wonder because the Book Loft is at home in pre-Civil War buildings formerly known as general stores, a saloon, and a nickelodeon cinema. The two levels of the store weave a maze and bring new meaning to the idea of getting lost in books. It’s almost as fun to find the book you’re looking for Read more…
Vegan Pizza at Whole World Restaurant
This is the first Best of Columbus post in a series of many to focus on vegan pizza options in Columbus. If you have a favorite place for vegan pizza in Columbus, then don’t keep it a secret! Share it with us by commenting below. With that in mind . . . sometimes, a serious case of bad breath is totally worth it. That’s especially true when you’re ordering the fresh garlic on your custom Whole World pizza. Totally. Worth it.
Whole World Restaurant is a local landmark. They’ve been serving up vegetarian and vegan food in Columbus since 1978. Almost everything on the menu has a vegan option. All of the breads and crusts are vegan except for the croissants. During my visit, all 4 of the fresh housemade soups Read more…
What Is Occupy Columbus?
If your travel plans bring you to Columbus, then make a point of stopping by Occupy Columbus, Ohio. It’s so interesting and the movement seems to be here to stay.
I stopped by the Occupy Columbus site to see what was up for myself and ask a few questions. The Occupation site is aptly located square in front of the Ohio Statehouse on High Street’s Columbus City sidewalk. I showed up in the early afternoon and there were about 20 people there holding signs, conversing, and distributing literature. Occupying.
Seagull Bags
There’s something pretty awesome about a guy who can sew.
Seagull Bags was started in Columbus, Ohio in 2003 by a local guy–Daniel McKewan. Daniel provides the best introduction to Seagull:
I started Seagull because I had an idea for the perfect Courier Bag, and rather than waiting for someone to read my mind and make it for me, I decided to do it for myself. After spending hundreds of hours tweaking my design and refining my sewing skills, I had a product I was proud of. We now offer my bags in many shapes and sizes, each designed with the same close personal care as the initial ones I made for my friends, family and own use.
If you see me riding around, please introduce yourself. I am 6’6″ with red beard and a crusty track bike. You can’t miss me.
Best Columbus Breakfast? Ask Nick!
I caught up with Nick Dekker this week and the timing was perfect.
Nick has been blogging about the best Columbus breakfast places since 2007 at Breakfast With Nick. He has had all bases covered in terms of the best breakfast places for long enough to earn his reputation as THE go-to guy for all things breakfast.
Last night, at the stroke of midnight, marked the end of Kickstarter pre-sales of Breakfast With Nick | Columbus, a guidebook to breakfast. Shortly after, we had this conversation:
Thai Food in Columbus
“This is Thai Thai food!”
That’s how a friend of mine describes authentic Thai food. There are restaurants that serve Thai food and then there are Thai Thai restaurants.
The difference is authenticity—not quality. Don’t get me wrong–there are some great Americanized places to eat Thai food in Columbus. Sometimes these more Americanized restaurants use the word “fusion” in their description. There is no shortage of places at which you can get a tasty meal, good service, and a stylish atmosphere.
Columbus Skateparks
Ever notice that your favorite skatepark is close to a donut shop? Or do they put the donut shop close to the skatepark just because of you and the locals? I’m not saying there’s a connection, I’m just saying.
If you live in central Ohio, where do you go to turn your sketchy into smooth? When your tricktionary is all diamondz where are the best of Columbus skateparks to show how sick you are?
Here’s a list of skateparks (with map links) divided by North Columbus, Central Columbus, and East Columbus.
Read more…
Good Cake in Columbus
There’s nothing that says, “I could care less” better than bad cake. Cake is supposed to be the highlight of an event—a reward or celebration. Sometimes, the best part of a wedding is the cake. If you’re gonna ruin your 2-day streak of healthy eating by eating a slice of cake with your co-workers at the monthly birthday blowout, then it had better be worth it.
Or, you just might feel cheated.
So, here’s what you do: Read more…
Patacon: Grilled Plantains in Columbus
*Update: Maya Grill closed in early 2012.
Do you remember showing up at of one of your favorite places to eat or hang out and finding the door locked? In disbelief, you try the door again but it’s definitely locked. Closed. Out of business. That place seemed to have it all, right? Great food, great service, and great prices. Not too crowded either.
Why does that happen? Hmmmm, now that I think of it, there was one important thing missing: the crowd. Not enough customers.
Chris Logsdon: Columbus Music Icon
Have you ever been on a date with someone who is just uninteresting? Maybe that someone special who makes you want to hurry up and get home because there might still be time to hang out with one of your interesting friends? Now, imagine being on that boring date but wanting to stay.
Chris Logsdon can have that kind of affect on your night. He makes you want to stay because a night out with Chris is like hanging out with friends who make you laugh.
Yoga in Columbus
When you’re looking for a Yoga class, it’s tempting to look for something just down the street for the sake of convenience. And, if you live in Columbus’ short north district, then Yoga On High is, without question, the place to go for yoga in Columbus. But, if you’re not very close to the short north of Columbus, you may wonder if Yoga On High is worth the extra mile.
My answer is, ‘Yes, definitely’.
Order Vegan Cupcakes Online: Pattycake Vegan Bakery
I confess.
I am not a vegan.
I’m not even a vegetarian of the ovo-lacto sort.
But, I do know a good pumpkin spice whoopie pie when I taste one.
I’m really a chocolate person by nature. Seriously, I always pick chocolate. One day, by some fluke of nature, I tried the pumpkin spice and . . . Uh-may-zing! If food is love, then Pumpkin Spice Whoopie pie is love with all of the spice you’ve been looking for. Who goes for just the pumpkin and no spice anyway? Read more…