For starters, the events start at 5:30 p.m. (and run until 10 p.m.). You know the price, and the place; the exact address is 1777 East Broad Street. Reservations are recommended and to make them just call the Conservatory at (614) 645-1800. If you’re wondering ‘well, what do I get for my $11?’; rest assured, you get a lot. Of course, you get admission into the Conservatory. But guess what? You get some of that back right way: every guest receives $10 back in tokens, and the tokens can be used toward the purchase of food and drinks. So you get f-r-e-e parking, and essentially you pay $1 for admission into the Conservatory. That’s not all. You’ll listen to live music while enjoying your munchies and drinks. More, you can view current exhibitions while you’re there, view the Chihuly Collection, and if you’re there at the right time, watch as James Turrell’s Light Raiment II illuminates the John F. Wolfe Palm House. That would be right at dusk.

If you’re into exotic or simply yummy tasting drinks, you’ll be offered a chance to purchase their special cocktails. On February 9th they’ll have Espresso Martinis, and the week after, Spicy Rum. By the way, yes, you have to be 21 years or older to get in these Thursday evening events.

The City of Columbus, The Columbus Foundation and other partners stand proudly behind and for the Conservatory. Here’s your chance to contribute, and to enjoy yourself in the doing!

Photo Credit: Franklin Park Conservatory by Rellim

Dear Friends of Keep Columbus Beautiful:
The City of Columbus currently does not have a comprehensive recycling program, but Mayor Michael B. Coleman would like that to change.

On November 10th, Mayor Coleman joined City Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley to announce details of the curbside residential recycling program set to begin in spring of 2012 pending Council approval.

• Implementation of the program would begin on the first of five separate routes in late spring, with recyclables being collected every other week in 64-gallon blue carts.

• Yard waste would be collected on the weeks that recycling is not collected.

• The recycling program amounts to $1.44 per household each month and $1.14 per household for yard waste collection without taking landfill savings into account.

• Program costs will not result in additional fees to residents.

• The first of five routes will be phased in starting with those residents who currently receive yard waste collection on Monday.

• Those who receive yard waste service on Tuesday, Wednesday and so on will follow.

• It is expected to take approximately one year to fully implement the program throughout the 227,000 households eligible for the service.

• Residents provided input into the development of the program through focus groups, surveys and at Council meetings.
Show your support:
The last opportunity to demonstrate your support of the proposed recycling program will occur Wednesday, November 30th at 5:00PM at City Hall (90 W. Broad Street on the second floor).

Your friends at KCB hope to see you there!

Good eats. Well, where to start might be the question! How about a restaurant chain that in 2010 served up over one million free meals to military veterans and active service members? Uh huh; that would be Applebee’s. On Friday, November 11th Applebee’s will put on a great spread for active-duty service people and military veterans alike, offering seven great entrées (including a 7 oz. House Sirloin, cooked to order, and a great looking penne dish). To qualify, proof of service—such as a U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, Veterans Organization Card, etc.—is required. If in doubt whether you have the correct kind of indentificaiton, or if you’d simply like to know which Applebee’s locations are involved, please point your browser to Applebee’s.

Chili’s is also offering up something special on November 11th, as they’re making available six different free meals for “military veterans past and present”. This is a dine-in only special (not including beverages and gratuities). Check out their website for locations Chili’s, and of special note—and this is true with any of the restaurants involved in honoring our veterans—that they’re a participating location.

In addition to Applebee’s and Chili’s, Hooters (yes, that Hooters!) has something for Veterans this year too. Hop over to Hooters of Columbus – Polaris, and get in on their all day “Free Wings for Vets” special; just purchase a beverage, and you can 10 free wings. Outback Steakhouse wants to give a big THANK YOU to Vets by offering a free Bloomin’ Onion® and a Coca-Cola. Outback’s offer runs from Monday, November 7 right through Friday, November 11. There are three Outback Steakhouse locations in the Columbus area, so there’s probably one right near you. For more information on what this fine organization does for our service personnel, visit Outback. If you simply want a small treat on Veteran’s Day, hop over to Krispy Kreme for a free doughnut. As with other restaurants and food services, Krispy Kreme asks that you check in advance to make sure the location you go to is participating.

The above is by no means the end of the list of good eats, but we needed to stop there to tell you about at least one other notable offer available on Veteran’s Day, as well as what’s going on in Columbus that day to celebrate our servicewomen and men.

Good deal. Here’s a special deal for “Veterans, active duty, reserve, and retired military personnel and their immediate family members”: a full 10 percent off your entire purchase at Big Lots! And you can cash in on this even on sales or clearance items. This is Big Lots’ massive “gesture of thanks” to all military personnel and veterans. So if you’re in need of a big ticket furniture item, or something to go with it, you probably already know there are several Big Lots locations in the Columbus area. Note that there are couple of locations (for example, the one in Upper Arlington), that don’t carry furniture. But most do, and it’s a terrific way for this corporate citizen to say thank you.

The City of Columbus has a number of special activities planned around the 2011 Veterans Day Ceremony and Parade. Please note that these activities will take place on Thursday, November 10th.

Joining forces with several other notable organizations, including Franklin County Veterans Services, the City’s annual Veterans Day Parade kicks off at Noon at Nationwide Plaza and North High Street. But even before that, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., their Annual Ceremony in observance of Veterans Day takes place, in the Council Chambers (2nd floor, off W. Broad Street). If you plan on attending the celebrations, bring a toy for the Toys for Tots program. Hey, you and the kids might even catch an early glimpse of Santa if you’re there the afternoon of November 10th.

The Columbus Team is proud to salute all of our service people.

Photo Credit

At minimum, I pledge this is the year that I will have a rain barrel to capture rain water to feed my garden! The Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed have excellent resources and classes available to educate willing participants on the process to build a rain barrel at home, and if the program survives the recent city budget shortfall, there may even be a cost sharing program to encourage citizens to get smart and get a rain barrel at home! However, if you want to hire a great local company, the Rain Brothers are at your beck and call. They are a dedicated microenterprise committed to sustainable living, environmentally friendly improvements and general goodwill.  

Did you know the City of Columbus has a great website for our citizens to stay abreast of conservation, water usage and even money saving green updates that benefit both the individual and the city? These green tips are relatively easy to acheive and are cost saving as well. Reduce, reuse and recycle…. and save some money while your at it!! I welcome your tips, suggestions or questions about environmentally friendly ways to live in Columbus. Best of luck in all your Green-Living Updates ~ Jeanne