Columbus, OH

Also known as the Arnold Classic, this fitness extravaganza has been going on in Columbus for 20 years. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s annual festival of fitness features over 35 different sporting events, including ladies fitness figure competitions, martial arts and this year, the Team USA Olympic weightlifting qualifier.

From the early years, the California Governor has made a point of letting the world know what a great town Columbus is. And in response the event has grown and grown, expanding from just Veteran’s Memorial to take Vet’s, The Greater Columbus Convention Center & Nationwide Arena.

From a personal standpoint I think the Arnold Classic is a fun thing to go to. In any given year your admission fee will get you everything from personal fitness advise, supplement samples galore, the opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ the latest in fitness equipment, and even free evaluations from everyone from personal trainers to chiropractors and sports doctors.

On the other hand, if seeing impossibly perfected ladies and wildly bulked-up men is really not your thing, you might want to simply skip this one. The physical standards set at the classic are more of a ‘Wow! did you see that?’ type than an actually attainable goal for the masses. Added to that, the crowds are ridiculous, you have to pay to park and the vendors can get a little pushy. If you won’t enjoy the events or the trade show, your time and money might be better spent seeing a personal trainer and nutritionist, like the ones at Lifetime Fitness, in the relative calm of the health club and the privacy of their offices.

But if you have the time, $20, and even a little curiosity, the Arnold Sports Festival is one Columbus tradition that I recommend you get to at least once in your life.

Arnold Sports Festival

February 29 - March 2 2008

Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St.
Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.
Veterans Memorial, 300 W. Broad St.

EXPO hours: Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

$10 EXPO ticket provides admission to most events.

614-431-3600

Columbus, Ohio, OH, fitness, bodybuilding, Olympics, weightlifting, supplements, Veteran’s Memorial, Vet’s, GCCC, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Nationwide Arena, Arnold Classic, Arnold Sports Festival, martial arts, Arnold Schwarzenegger

Tonight, if the sky is clear and you are able to withstand the cold, central Ohioans should get outside and take in the lunar eclipse. The eclipse is expected to begin around 8pm, with the moon turning red and slowly disappearing, then reappearing to its full intensity sometime after midnight. If you aren’t up to spending four-plus hours outdoors in the sub-freezing temperatures, then just head out for the hour between ten and eleven, when the eclipse is expected to be most complete.

FYI–if you are going to do it, do it tonight. The next full lunar eclipse that will be visible from this area won’t happen until 2014.

Columbus, Ohio, OH, moon, eclipse, lunar

Ok, so it’s not Hollywood, but tonight does mark your next-to-last chance to get in on some Medieval Merriment at, of all places, the Spaghetti Warehouse. On Tuedsays at 7, the Mayhem & Mystery Dinner Theatre takes over the restaurant, presenting an interactive experience to compliment your pasta like none other, all with a midevil twist.

The players & the audience become one, as diners are selected to be a part of the play. You may do nothing but sit there, enjoying the show and eating some great pasta, BUT you may also find yourself costumed and delivering lines.

Be sure to get there tonight, or make plans for next Tuesday, before this “round table” of fun is history!

Through February 26

The Spaghetti Warehouse
397 West Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215

Tuesdays 7 p.m.

Admission $23.95

Phone: 614-464-0143

Columbus, Ohio, OH, Spaghetti Warehouse, dinner theater, Mayhem & Mystery

Ok, yesterday on the ride home I saw a beautiful thing.

One of Columbus’ finest, yes a Columbus Police officer having a lady get back into her warm car while he CHANGED HER TIRE FOR HER!

Freezing cold outside, heavy, rush hour traffic.

You should have seen the look of shock on my face. I almost cried.

Ok, so not really cried, but I did call friends and tell them.

Amazing, a police officer, doing a kind service for a community member. Crazy isn’t it.

Actually, I find it a very heart-warming thing, in this day and age when women can and will be left on the side of the road ALONE by an on duty officer who won’t even loan her his jack when her’s is acting up. DO YOU HEAR ME HEATH POLICE?

On behalf of all women who have been both helped and neglected in this situation, I’d like to personally thank the officer who did this on the north side of 270 yesterday.

I’m only sad I didn’t think to take a picture for you.

To protect and SERVE, amazing.

Columbus, OH, Ohio, Columbus Police, Heath Police, to protect and serve

If you’ve never owned an Etch-A-Sketch, you’ve missed out on a piece of true Americana. If you have, you know how frustrating it can be to sketch anything more than rectangles with them. It’s an Ohio Art toy, but have you ever made anything you’d call ‘art’ with it?

Well, if you’d like to see the wares of someone who really can make art with this toybox staple, then head down to the statehouse between now and Feb. 29th. On display in the statehouse crypt are over 50 pieces of Etch-A-Sketch art by artist Tim George. The display includes among other things many symbols of Ohio, including the state seal and special people and places of Ohio.

While you are there, you can buy your own Etch-A-Sketch and a ‘how to’ book by George at the statehouse gift shop.

Ohio Statehouse
High Street at State Street, downtown Columbus
Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday noon-5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Phone: 888-OHIO-123, 614-728-2695

Columbus, Ohio, OH, Ohio Statehouse, Etch-A-Sketch, art, Tim George