The older I get, the easier it seems to find the silver linings in life. Years of hustle and haste have a way of softening expectations and creating clarity about what matters most. While 2020 will go down in the record books as possibly the most chaotic, challenging, and surprising year of our lives (anyone else startled by the Pentagon announcement of their Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon Task Force?), most people I know have found that the life changes instigated by COVID-19 restrictions have been (or uncovered) a blessing in disguise. The forced-downtime has inspired career moves, business start-ups, and resignations - all in the name of seeking a better quality of life. Circumstances that require all of us to stay at home mean that more people are now upsizing and seeking the formerly-obsolete formal dining room, and urbanization that was happening at a rapid clip has slowed down in favor, once again, of sprawling yards and big skies.
Amelia
Editor in Chief
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Looking for a fun activity that you can do with your friends and family? Visit Franklin Park Conservatory. With their current exhibits you can view their Bonsai tree collection, enjoy the colorful foliage and flowers, and see their 19 installations of breathtaking Chihluly glasswork. Also, keep an eye out for their upcoming fall festivities.
For more information, click here.
Join the Kindness Rally on Saturday, September 26th for their Kindness Rally event! This free event hosted at the Columbus Metropolitan Library provides a fun way to inspire others to be kind through a fun, family-friendly competition.
To learn more about the Kindness Rally and register for this event, click the here.
Can't make it to the Kindness Rally? Check in with the Columbus Foundation's Gifts of Kindness Fund for other ways to spread the love in our community.
As our community begins to open up, we encourage you to get out of the house and (safely) support our local businesses and restaurants. Take a look at this running list of updated hours and modified services maintained by our friends at Experience Columbus.
For more, continue scrolling
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Eating out has never felt so good. We encourage you to support the vibrant central Ohio restaurant community as much as you can. Now more than ever, your dining dollars mean a great deal to our friends in the restaurant industry.
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Barcelona
A friend joined me for dinner on the stunning patio of Barcelona Restaurant last night in German Village. If you have never dined al fresco at Barcelona (or if it has been a while), you simply must get there before the weather turns. If take-out is more your jam right now, you can now add a signature sangria to your to-go order.
Ever a champion of an authentic, quality dining experience as well as diversity and inclusion, owner Scott Heimlich is a fan favorite among our team.
We covered Barcelona previously in our Jan/Feb 2017 issue. Read that story here.
Barcelona also contributed to our special recipe section earlier this year. Get their amazing paella recipe here.
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THE REFECTORY
One of our fine dining faves, The Refectory Restaurant and Wine Shop re-opened for dine-in last weekend! Chef Richard Blondin has reworked an already amazing menu around small-plates and will keep things fresh with a bi-monthly update to the offerings. The Refectory has weathered the pandemic closure and limitations until now by focusing on take-out.
We have covered The Refectory a couple of times over the years. Check out our covering of them in 2016 here...
Check out The Refectory recipe for Warm Apple Tarte with Rosemary here.
Nous saluons le retour!
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RH COLUMBUS - THE GALLERY AT EASTON TOWN CENTER
RH has seen sales and stock value soar since May, bucking the national trend in retail; banking on consumers who are ready to invest in their nest and spend their summer at home by the pool instead of jet setting across the world. Already revered for luxury design, RH is well on its way to becoming an industry giant with venerated investment gurus like Warren Buffet buying in at big numbers.
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A WINNING COMBINATION
When Steve and Nevada Smith decided to bid farewell to life in the city eight years ago, the driving factors in their choice of home were proximity to Columbus Academy (where their three children have attended the school as legacies) and a site that would approach the stunning natural surroundings of Nevada’s childhood in Sun Valley, Idaho...
CONTINUE READING HERE
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SANDRA BROGDON
Sandra Brogdon is a wife, mother and the inspirational lifestyle journalist behind “Role Model Magazine,” an innovative print and online publication designed to “Inspire every girl everywhere to fulfill her limitless potential” ™ . As founder and CEO, Brogdon is dedicated to creating positive social change in the community through her mission to motivate the next generation of girls to live up to their fullest potential and to spread awareness on the issues that matter most to her readers.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
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BALLETMET
BalletMet entertains, educates and inspires 100,000 community members and students each year, hailing from 79 Ohio counties and 38 states. 70,000 audience members attend 60 performances in Columbus and on tour. DanceReach education and community engagement programs reach 30,000 dance students, school students, and life-long learners – many from undeserved and special needs populations within our community.
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THE CENTER FOR FAMILY SAFETY AND HEALING
TCFSH fully addresses all aspects of family violence including child abuse and neglect, teen dating abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse. We offer a continuum of research-based prevention, intervention and treatment programs for individuals experiencing any and all forms of family violence.
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COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN LIBRARY FOUNDATION
Columbus Metropolitan Library strives to create a thriving community where wisdom prevails by inspiring reading, sharing resources and connecting people.
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GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
The first tourists arrived in the Galápagos Islands via cruise ship in
1934, initiating a travel trend that has persisted for decades until
operators like Classic Journeys chose to defy the status quo and
offer island-based tours of the islands. "It really comes down to
the amount of quality time you get to spend engaged in activities,
and shuttling back-and-forth to your boat really cuts into that,"
explained Edward Piegza, who founded Classic Journeys 25 years
ago.
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SWITZERLAND
The events of 2020 have us longing for a getaway to a peaceful place like Switzerland. Enjoying the picturesque countryside, strolling down cobblestone streets, and sipping on Swiss wine would make for the perfect getaway.
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MERCEDES-AMG GT BLACK SERIES
For those who desire the ultimate in AMG performance, few models can match the exclusivity, rarity, and track-optimized performance of the AMG Black Series models. AMG's most extroverted sibling, since 2006, the Black Series is noted for being uncompromisingly sporty. The expressive design reflects the most direct technology transfer from motorsport to series production.
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WAYS WE ARE PASSING THE TIME
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Check out this list of books we are reading to pass the time! This list features a little something for everybody.
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COVID-19 may have limited our options, but we won't be deterred from finding the best ways to feed our mind, body, and spirit.
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