On September 22nd Ken Burns, director of documentaries on topics of Americana from Baseball, to Jazz, to The Civil War, will be in Westerville to give a talk before the debut of his documentary, “Prohibition”. The visit comes as a result of his research team’s extensive fact checking information for the documentary at the Westerville Public Library’s Local History Center. As Westerville city law director Bruce Bailey points out,   “This all began in our town 102 years ago,” “He wouldn’t have a show without us. We are the home of the Anti-Saloon League.”

While in central Ohio, Burns will attend a luncheon at the Westerville Public Library then teach a master class at Otterbein University before going to WOSU for an appearance on a local news show.

Local history coordinator Beth Weinhardt said the library will conduct a public lottery for tickets to the luncheon.

If you are looking to buy or sell a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

This year’s Red, White and Boom! downtown will take place on Friday July 1st and is expected to be a big event. Workers have been preparing all week for the over 100,000 expected to flock downtown to see the fireworks. This year’s event will include Civic Center Drive peppered from Broad to Main St. with concession stands. Taste of BOOM!, in the Arena District – a street party that kicks off at 3pm and lasts until midnight. The party will feature food from Columbus’s top restaurants, music from local bands, and interactive games from the Columbus Crew.

Participating Restaurants

• Max & Erma’s
• W.g. Grinders
• bd’s Mongolian Barbeque
• Gordon Biersch
• Arena Grand Movie Theatre
• Boston’s Gourmet Pizza
• Sunny Street Cafe
• Hyatt Market Stand
• Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar

If you are looking to buy or sell a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

Permeable sidewalk surrounding New Albany's branch of The Columbus Metropolitan Library

New Albany’s forward-thinking approach to development isn’t limited to high tech infrastructure and fiber optics. In fact, one of the latest examples employs an old world tool – brick.
The city recently launched an innovative storm water mitigation initiative. The project is designed to protect existing natural features and restore native habitats while ultimately supporting over 340,000 square feet of commercial development, 800 multi-family residential units and 700 single-family homes surrounding Market Square, the community’s urban core.
The effort encompasses a variety of the best practices  developed that address the issue holistically. The project spawned the transformation of Third Street into a ‘green street’ where the historic brick pavement not only complements the community’s timeless Greorgian architectural style but also serves as a permeable surface that filters and stores storm water prior to release into the Rose Run stream corridor.

It’s another example of how New Albany continues to grow in a way that protects its architectural integrity and natural setting while encouraging the development of a progressive 21st century infrastructure.

If you are looking to buy or sell a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

Comfest (Goodale Park, Victorian Viliage)

ComFest
June 24-26; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Satruday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
Goodale Park, Victorian Village
Annual all-volunteer celebration featuring food and craft vendors and many local bands performing of numerous stages.
comfest.com

Powell Festival
June 24-25; 5-11 p.m. Friday, 12-11 p.m. Saturday
Village Green Park, Powell
Two days of live music, food and family fun capped by fireworks display.
cityofpowell.us

North Market Food & Ohio Wine Festival
July 8-10; 7-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 12-6 p.m. Sunday
North Market, Arena District
Ohio wineries and local cuisine vendors and live music.
northmarket.com

Westerville Music & Arts Festival
July 9-10; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Heritage Park, Westerville
Local artists and musicians in downtown Westerville.
westervillechamber.com

Bike Columbus Festival
July 15; begins at 6 p.m.
City Hall, Downtown
Two bikes tours, 12 and 25 miles, through Columbus ending at an after party on Gay St.
bikecolumbusfestival.com

Franklin County Fair
July 16-23; 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday-Saturday
4H displays, contests, live entertainment, games, fair concessions, rodeo, moto cross and tractor pulls.
fcfair.org

Shadwobox Live Sketch Comedy Festival
July 19-20; show times TBD
Shadowbox Live, Easton
Comedy troupes from around the country go head-to-head in a two-day competition.
shadowboxlive.org

Jazz & Rib Festival
July 22-24; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sunday
McFerson Commons and North Bank Park, Arena District
Award-winning barbecue competition and live music by national and local acts throughout three days.
hotribscooljazz.org

Serbian Festival
12-10 p.m. Saturday, July 23
St. Stevan of Dechani Serbian Church, East Side
Annual summer picnic featuring live Serbian music, dancing, full bar, and a buffet of authentic cuisine.
ststevanofdechani.org

Ohio State Fair
July 27-Aug. 7; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, July 27-Saturday Aug. 6, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6
Ohio State Fairgrounds
Rides, concessions, livestock displays and competitions and nightly concerts featuring Ke$ha, Journey, Brad Paisley and more.
ohiostatefair.com

If you are looking to buy or sell a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

New Albany’s Abercrombie & Fitch has taken hold in Paris. The New York Times reported that the lines outside the store were consistently in the hundreds with sales consistently rising since the opening a month ago.

The new store on the Champs-Elysees opened with a little retail theater as Abercrombie recruited 101 shirtless men with killer abs to draw attention to the store.

The store itself sits behind a giant gilded wrought-iron gate through a tree-lined path. Once inside one ascends through the 4 stories on a staircase full of Abercrombie’s scent and re-mixes of 80′s songs. The store is full of Abercrombie’s signature black walls and models/ workers.

This approach is working with the youth of Paris, a youth that sees itself as more American friendly than their parents. The market for the American style of Abercrombie & Fitch oversees has them looking to expand across Europe. Stores are planned this year in Madrid, Dusseldorf, Brussels and Dublin.

If you are looking to buy or sell a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

New Albany is on the map for attracting corporations and other companies looking to develop new data centers, operations, and call centers. With good reason, The New Albany Business Park has a lot to offer including.

1. Power & Fiber
2. No Natural Disasters
3. Free Cooling – Power Savings from Cool Outside Temperatures
4. No Personal Property Taxes
5. Skilled IT Workforce

In the last six months, New Albany has received commitments for more than 1,100 new jobs
within the New Albany Business Park. Motorists Insurance just completed construction on
their technology center, and PharmaForce , TJX and Accel are all currently under
construction at different locations within the business park. Nationwide, VeePak and KDC are
planning ground breakings in the near future.

Here is a complete list of corporations centered in the New Albany Business Park.

If you are looking to buy or sell a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

6/14/2011 Free Script Reading Series Raconteur Theatre Company

6/16/2011 Urban Monthly Mix Exchange OSU Urban Arts Space

6/17/2011 Creekside Blues & Jazz Fest. Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau

6/17/2011 June Music & Art in the Park City of Canal Winchester

6/17/2011 Raconteur presents Whales, Sav Raconteur Theatre Company

6/18/2011 Digital Video Workshop OSU Urban Arts Space

6/18/2011 Raconteur presents Whales, Sav Raconteur Theatre Company

6/18/2011 Creekside Blues & Jazz Fest. Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau

6/19/2011 Creekside Blues & Jazz Fest. Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau

6/19/2011 Brass Band Of Columbus North Columbus Civitan Club Park Of Roses Concerts

6/20/2011 Camp Rock Jazz Arts Group

6/20/2011 Camp Blues II Jazz Arts Group

Business Events

6/16/2011 Business Expo (Trade Fair) Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce

Children Activities

6/17/2011 Tween Scene Groveport Cultural Arts Center

6/18/2011 Rocky’s Reading Room PBJ Connections

6/20/2011 Summer Camp with the Horses PBJ Connections

Clubs

6/16/2011 Bridge Club JCC

Education

6/20/2011 Intro to Digital Photography Groveport Cultural Arts Center

Environment & Recycling

6/18/2011 Canoe Float – Alum Creek river Friends of Alum Creek & Tributaries (FACT)

Fundraiser / Benefit

6/14/2011 SpeedPie on American Flag Day American Pie Party

6/16/2011 “Wine in the Garden” (featured event) Heritage Day Health Centers – Adult Day Care

6/18/2011 Taste For F.A.C.E. Friends of Art for Community Enrichment

6/20/2011 1st Annual Golf Tournament T.O.U.C.H. Mentoring Program

Health

6/14/2011 Mindfulness Meditation Cancer Support Community-Central Ohio

6/15/2011 Cooking for Wellness @ RMH Cancer Support Community-Central Ohio

6/15/2011 Yoga Cancer Support Community-Central Ohio

6/16/2011 Qigong Cancer Support Community-Central Ohio

6/16/2011 Tai Chi Cancer Support Community-Central Ohio

6/16/2011 Cooking for Wellness Cancer Support Community-Central Ohio

6/18/2011 Walk with a Doc Cancer Support Community-Central Ohio

6/18/2011 Yoga Cancer Support Community-Central Ohio

6/20/2011 Yoga Cancer Support Community-Central Ohio

Lecture / Workshop

6/14/2011 Homebuyer Workshop Groveport Cultural Arts Center

Literary

6/16/2011 Reader’s Circle Membership Meetings

6/20/2011 Weekly Network Mtg w/speaker 40 Plus of Central Ohio – Professionals in Transition

Social Services

6/16/2011 Bexley Farmers’ Market

Other

6/16/2011 COSI After Dark COSI Columbus

If you are looking to buy or sell a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

A flash mob erupted at the first annual Follow Me! – Fun Fit Family Day.

The dancing started spontaneously as these things tend to go during the last half hour of the event and continued until the event’s closing gaining momentum as it went along. A very exciting and sweaty way to cap off a day of activities!

Held at Easton Town Center, Fun Fit Family day was an exciting event with enumerable activities including.

- Pictures with the National Championship Trophy
- Make Your Own Bracelet Station
- OSU Activity Zone
- Columbus Blue Jackets Corner – interactive activities
- A full sized street hockey arena
- Columbus Crew – interactive inflatable activities, prize wheel & FIFA Xbox

- COSI on Wheels ~ 9 Fun activities about “The Incredible Human Machine”

- Face Painting

- Caricatures
- Booths to learn about nutrition, local activities and businesses

Free 30 minute activities for the family led by some of the best athletes and fitness professionals in Columbus include karate, yoga, ballet, and Zumba.

There was also a football clinic with former OSU football players, and healthy cooking demonstrations at the MI home store.

Follow Me! Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids” main ongoing mission is to aide in the fight against the rising epidemic of childhood obesity in America by educating parents of the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

If you are looking to buy or sell a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

Organizers of the first New Albany farmers market have secured 35 vendors to provide locally grown and produced items.

Vendors are members of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s “Ohio Proud” program, meaning 51 percent of their items or ingredients were produced in Ohio.

Market days will feature everything from classes for master gardeners and cooking demonstrations to live entertainment by such local groups as the New Albany Symphony Orchestra.

To give back to the community market organizers are coordinating ways that people can contribute to the local New Albany Coalition For Hunger, such as by buying one green pepper and donating another to the organization.

The New Albany farmers market is part of the Healthy New Albany initiative, which is organized through the New Albany Community Foundation.

The vendors include:  Ann’s Raspberry Farm, Beehive Bread, Bluejacket Dairy, Branstool Orchard, Crum Strawberry Farm, Doran’s Farm Market, Food for Good Thought, Garden Fresh Produce, Gluten Free Expressions, Green Bliss Organics, Heavenly Dips, Herbal Teas Plus, Kim Herring’s No Flour Cookies, Landrum Cottage Designs, Latshaw Apiaries, Leighton Meadow Farm, Lucky Cat Bakery, MacKenzie Creamery, Mott Family Farm, Ohio Farm Direct, OK Mercantile, Old Village Meats, Pewitts Pure Honey from Archer’s Acres, Rock Dove Farms, Safe-Lawns, Smart Klean Team & the Happy Gardener, Stiletto Gardener, Sunsprout Farms, Sweet Dolce, Sweet Thing Gourmet, Breathing Space Yoga, Unkle Timz Gourmet Salsas, Wayside Floral, Wild Hen Farm and Wishwell Farm.

A complete guide to central Ohio’s farmers markets can be found here.

If you are looking to buy or sell a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

New Albany may have 235 jobs headed its way after the Ohio Tax Credit Authority’s approval of two incentive deals Monday.
Brickman Facility Solutions LLC, a division of the Maryland-based Brickman Group commercial landscape company, received a seven-year, 50 percent tax credit for its pledge to create 63 administrative and human resources jobs in operations headquarters at a New Albany office building on West Campus Oval. Brickman said the operation would move from Marion.