Columbus, OH

The Supreme Court has held up the constitutionality of the lethal injection process. This means Ohio will return to executing prisoners who have exhausted the appeals process. No executions have happened in Ohio since late last May, due to a challenge brought against the lethal injection process that claimed it violated 8th. amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment. The challenge claimed the condemned would feel horrible pain during the process, but would not be able to express it due to the paralytic effect of the drug cocktail used.

Approximately 22 executions have been stalled due to this challenge.

While I am personally against the death penalty (a discussion for another day), I find it interesting that there is such a concern over how a condemned inmate dies. If the state sees fit to kill people, then I think it should be done in the most expedient and cost effective way possible. This only because no one is going to agree to execute the condemned in the same way they killed their victims, which I think is the only truly just way to do it. But Ohio law requires a “quick and painless” death for the condemned–thus the basis for the challenge.

This situation has also caused a backlog of cases which will now be sent to the Governor to review for possible clemency. Granting clemency in any state is incredibly rare, but the process in Ohio requires the Governor’s office to at least consider each case.

The Governor’s office is the last hope of reprieve for inmates on death row.

Kentucky has also recently reinstated its death row procedures, following the same challenge.

Columbus, Ohio, OH, lethal injection, department of corrections, death row, clemency, Governor Ted Strickland

Don’t miss Riverdance, at the Palace Theater April 15-20th.

Palace Theater
34 W Broad St
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 469-1331

Columbus, Ohio, OH, Riverdance, tap dance, Palace Theater, CAPA

Last summer during my series on Ohio’s amusement parks I gave a long description of the fun to be had at Geauga Lake. Well, I hope you got your fun in last summer as Cedar Fair, the amusement park giant that currently owns the other two Ohio parks, Kings Island and Cedar Point, has decided that 2007 was to be Geauga Lake’s last season as an operational amusement park.

The major parts of the park, like the coasters, are scheduled to be auctioned off this June.

Cedar Fair is keeping Wildwater Kingdom open in this location.

. . . and so ends the legacy of an Ohio treasure.

Columbus, Ohio, OH, Aurora, Geauga Lake, Wildwater Kingdom, Cedar Fair, Cedar Point, King’s Island, Sea World Ohio, amusement parks

Keeping it short and sweet today, here’s a few of today’s headlines, and of course, my commentary…

Columbus Teen Killed in Drive By Shooting

I used to be so pleased at what made the news in Columbus. Jack Hannah was on TV (what seemed like) every other day and human interest stories abounded. The occasional story of violence was one that truly rocked our central Ohio community and while they maintained their composure, you could see that the news anchors were shaken by this kind of news. No more.

It seems to me that a young person loses their life every time we turn around now. There must be something that can be done to stop the violence without trampling all over the second ammendment. I for one am sick of it, we are not Detroit, Washington DC, or New York City. We are Columbus, Ohio, one of the most tolerant communities in the country. But this, this we should not tolerate any more.

For the full story on the death of 18 year old Tiana Goins, click on the headline above to be taken to the channel 10 news website.

Skybus Claims over $100 Million in Debt

Yesterday Skybus filed for federal bankruptcy protection in Delaware. I am unsure why the Columbus, Ohio based airline filed in Delaware, but they did. On it’s list of over 200 creditors Skybus attorneys included the likes of World Fuel Management of Chicago, Airbus & the Columbus Airport Authority. It’s not Enron, but it’s not good.

The Columbus Zoo Set to Open Zoombeezi Bay

As I told you last year, the Columbus Zoo closed Wyandot Lake for the 2007 season and made some major renovations on the property. Well this May look out for Zoombeezi Bay, a bigger and (hopefully) better waterpark set to open Memorial Day weekend. Everything looks good and I promise to get out there as early as possible to give you a complete review.

While you are thinking about whether to buy a one-time pass or a season pass, keep in mind a season pass also gives you season long access to The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, one of the world’s finest zoos and a prized posession of central Ohio.

Columbus, Ohio, OH, Tiana Goins, Skybus, bankruptcy, Columbus Zoo, Aquarium, Zoombeezi Bay

As I’ve feared, Skybus has given up the ghost and folded. The action came suddenly on Friday night, leaving many booked and paid for passengers stranded and about 350 central Ohioans jobless.

This really was no suprise to many who have followed the progress of the start up airline, which started out promising, but soon fell victim to its own business model. Skybus claims it fell mainly to rising fuel prices and a slowing economy . . . maybe, but I think there was more to it.

The airline did all its communication online, which frustrated travelers to no end. The all-digital communication model is fine in the modern age for the basics, but having no after sale service at all is not. It its brief tenure as an active airline, Skybus became known for stranding passengers without providing a food or lodging credit or even so much as a real person one could voice a complaint to.

The extremely low fares promised by the “budget carrier” were somewhat elusive too. While my flight to Ft. Lauderdale last October was truly a deal ($80 round trip), I often found that if you weren’t online within minutes of new flights being posted, the overall cost of your proposed trip was no lower than what you could find on Southwest, JetBlue, American or Delta.

In my most recent post about Skybus, I observed that with other carriers offering both decent fares and service that it was time for Skybus to either step up, or step aside. In a meeting of the minds Friday afternoon, Skybus executives chose to do the latter.

Today, Skybus is expected to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court. What will happen to the nearly new Skybus fleet is still up in the air, as is the fate of the approximately 450 former Skybus employees, most of whom found out they were out of a job at the same time passengers found out they needed to find another way to their destination.

Passengers holding Skybus tickets are urged to contact their credit card carrier to apply for a refund.

Columbus, Ohio, OH, Skybus, air travel

April 3-5 and 11-12th at Longaberger Homestead.

Learn all about a weekend at Longaberger HERE.

Columbus, Ohio, OH, Longaberger, Spring Fling

The downturn in the housing market has had a serious effect on everything from home values to the local economy. In these tough times it can be hard to see a bright spot on the horizon, but some local house hunters do see an opportunity . . . forclosed homes.

Forclosed homes and those on their way into forclosure can often be had at a bargain price. Banks don’t want to own them, neighbors don’t want them standing empty and sellers (if they are not yet forclosed) are motivated to get out from under them. But how do you find out about these homes and the deals to be had? Enter Coldwell Banker and columbusforclosurebustours.com. This group takes potential buyers on a bus tour of forclosed homes and homes that are close to forclosure. There are often snacks to be had and experts to give advise.

The tours are taking potential buyers into great suburban neighborhoods and trendy metropolitan hot spots. They show everything from one bedroom condos in town to 5 bed 3 bath mini-mansions in the ‘burbs.’ All you need to do is make sure you are boarding the right bus. If you are interested, simply choose your tour HERE and fill out the registration information.

This post is intended to be informational. No payment was received from Coldwell Banker or any other entity for the posting of this information. There may be other business/organizations also offering similar tours.

Columbus, Ohio, OH, forclosure, forclosure bus tour, Coldwell Banker

This weekend you could . . .

Watch the Crew’s Season opener featuring a concert by Saving Jane.

Columbus Crew Soccer vs. Toronto FC

Saturday, March 29 4PM concert to follow
Columbus Crew Stadium
One Black & Gold Boulevard, Columbus
614-447-CREW

Or you could take the kids to see a classic . . .

Columbus Children’s Theatre: The Magician’s Nephew
March 13-30 2008
Park Street Theatre–512 N. Park St.
Thursday-Friday 7:30 p.m. Saturday 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
$10-$20
614-224-6672, 614-224-6673

Or spend an evening with some Jazz . . .

Columbus Jazz Orchestra
March 26-30 2008
Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.
Wednesday-Saturday 8-10:30 p.m. Sunday 2-4:30 p.m. and 7:30-10 p.m.
$35-$48
614-294-5200

Columbus, OH, Ohio, Columbus Crew, soccer, Saving Jane, Toronto FC, Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Southern Theatre, The Magician’s Nephew, Columbus Children’s Theater, Park Street Theater

On my recent vacation to Las Vegas I saw this production at the Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino (formerly The Alladin) and now it has come to Columbus! It was a welcome change from all the clowns and showgirls which have become the regular Las Vegas offering. Of all the shows I have seen out there this is one of the two very best (the other being Mystere, the Cirque show at Treasure Island).

If you have the opportunity to go, it is worth every dime of the ticket price. For a teaser, please enjoy this video which shows only a tiny sampling of the show. In Vegas, this sequence was the show opener. Enjoy!

Presented by CAPA
March 25-30 2008
Ohio Theatre
39 E. State St.
Tuesday-Friday 8 p.m. Saturday 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sunday 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
$17.80-54.50
614-469-0939

I do suggest that if you have severe allergies you sit back a little from the main stage, as all that sweeping, stomping and dancing kicks up quite a bit of dust.

Columbus, Ohio, OH, Stomp, Stomp Out Loud, Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, Ohio Theatre, CAPA

The Columbus Dispatch reported this morning that Columbus based Skybus airline’s top executive Bill Diffenderffer has resigned. The airline is facing some serious financial issues in the wake of record setting oil/fuel prices.

This may mean some pretty substantial changes will be taking place at Skybus. The $10 fares are amazing, though for the most part they are snatched up within minutes of new flight announcements, making them unattainable for most flyers. At the same time, entire routes have been cancelled, passengers have been subjected to lengthy delays and amenities are practically non-existent.

The entire business model is suspect to many, with customer service being the number one issue. The Dispatch quotes aviation consultant Mike Boyd as saying, “It’s terribly flawed to have an airline without a complaint line.” This is a point many Skybus passengers would heartily agree with. A new company simply cannot afford to disappoint customers. Once disappointed though, today’s consumers demand to be heard. The online-only communication that Skybus offers falls far short of the standard set by other airlines. That being the case, many first time flyers will not be booking with Skybus again anytime soon.

So far, Skybus has had very mixed reviews. When I took them to Ft. Lauderdale last fall, they were on time both ways and the flight was quite comfortable. But even my confidence has been shaken by consistently negative press that leaves me concerned about having to cancel a trip and losing money because the airline may cancel a route after the ticket has been issued, or worse–that I may get somewhere and not be able to get back due to problems with a returning flight. Skybus is notorious for leaving passengers “stuck” and not extending a food or lodging credit to get them through until the flight can be taken.

Skybus needs to get both its financial and customer service issues under control if it is going to survive what looks to be a serious turn in the economy. During rough economic times, consumers expect not only great prices, but also true value for their money, which means on-time flights and top notch service. With other lines delivering both, it’s time for Skybus to step up, or step aside.

Columbus, Ohio, OH, Skybus, Bill Diffenderffer, Mike Boyd, Skybus

If you don’t need to be there, stay away from the campus area today & tonight.

This is the first day back to class for students, so over 10,000 kids are descending on the campus today.

There is a Bruce Springsteen concert at the Schott tonight.

There is a basketball game at St. John.

If you aren’t compelled to be there because of one of these three things, do yourself a favor and stay out of the way of those who are. Traffic is going to prove to be horrible.

If you do need to be there, give yourself plenty of time to negotiate traffic. Remember, yours isn’t the only event going on.

Ohio, Columbus, OH, Ohio State, OSU, spring break, students, basketball, Buckeyes, Bruce Springsteen

Today’s the day to celebrate all things Irish and the man who drove the snakes from Ireland.

In the Columbus area there are only two places to REALLY CELEBRATE St. Patrick’s Day!

Flannagan’s Dublin
1270 Sawmill Rd.
614-766-7788

&

Fado Irish Pub
4022 Townsfair Way (at Easton)
614-418-0066

Both celebrate St. Patrick’s day with live entertainment, merriment and of course–green beer!

And now, an Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Columbus, Ohio, OH, Irish, St. Patrick, Dublin, Flannagan’s, Fado Irish Pub, an Irish Blessing

Keeping it short and sweet today. Guys (and gals) be careful out there. Last night three women ran out of gas on the outerbelt and two women are in the hospital this morning and one sadly is in the morgue. I can’t express how tragic this is.

When you have vehicle trouble get to the side of the road if you can and if you don’t have the proper equipment to make your presence known, just abandon the car and call someone who does have the right stuff for help. No vehicle is worth your life, no event you need to get to either.

On another topic~

Today the weather is warming to truly spring like temperatures. With the massive snowfall we had last weekend this is going to mean tons of run off and flooding. If you come across a flooded street DO NOT drive through it. People are killed this way every year. For your sake and for the sake of those who love you, don’t risk it.

Until tomorrow, many blessings~

How can it be that two of the five best pizza places in Central Ohio sit right next to one another? Oh so lucky I guess . . .

Now, pizza is a very personal thing. These are simply my favorites.

My favorite chain is Pizzaria Uno, for the yummiest of crusts it’s hard to beat this Chicago style eatery. They are good and they are everywhere; I don’t have much more to say about that.

But as for local joints, the two I love are right next to each other on Main St. in Bexley. First, Bexley Pizza Plus is known for it’s combination of wonderful sauce and great toppings on homestyle crust. This is stick to your ribs pizza, a taste explosion served up by some of Bexley’s sweetest people. For pizza, it’s a little pricey, but worth it. FYI–it’s a Pepsi joint.

Just two doors to the west, you’ll find Rubino’s. If you are a fan of thin crust Pizza this is where you want to bring your hunger. The perfect thin and crispy crust is complemented by great sauce and your favorite toppings. Here they have sit down service, the booths are showing some wear and the atmosphere is a little 1980s, but the pizza is great and the prices are wallet friendly. FYI–it’s a Coca-Cola place.

For the best taco pizza you’ve ever had, head just a little northeast of Columbus to Johnstown where they have Johnnie’s Villa Pizza. Everything else here is good pizza, but the taco pizza is divine. With fresh fresh (did I say fresh?) ingredients and plenty of taco sauce and sour cream sent along with you, this is the place my family goes for that special treat. Johnnie’s Villa Pizza is take out only and has prices on par with most other places.

Finally, consider the humble pepperoni–the staple of pizza lovers everywhere and the pizza upon which pizza joints are judged. My favorite pepperoni pizza comes from Park Pizza, a little place in Newark, about 40 minutes east of Columbus. Park Pizza is a small family place and like Rubino’s, is easy on the wallet. For a place on an end street that looks like it barely escaped the 70s with no delivery and limited hours, Park Pizza does a great business. It has three old booths you can eat at if you like, but most people take their pizza and go. The pizza here comes in generic cardboard boxes with no particular indication that what is inside will have you addicted as soon as you take your first bite. It’s not one thing, but the combination of crisp crust, excellent sauce and plentiful pepperoni that keeps families ordering from Park Pizza generation after generation.

Rubinos Pizza
2643 E Main St
Columbus, OH 43209
(614) 235-0712

Bexley Pizza Plus
2651 E Main St
Columbus, OH 43209
(614) 237-3305

Johnnies Villa Pizza
105 W Coshocton St
Johnstown, OH 43031
(740) 967-2988

Park Pizza
354 Union St
Newark, OH 43055
(740) 344-5005

Columbus, Ohio, OH, Central Ohio, pizza