Central Ohio Back to School Schedule!

It's not too late to buy your new home before the school year begins! Take a look at this handy calendar outlining the start dates for all Central Ohio school districts.

We hope this helps your planning!

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Back to School 2012: Dorm 101

Now that July is over and we’re into August, the end of summer is well within site. This means that soon enough, children will begin their journey back to school (Ah, I can hear the groaning and eye rolling now.) Sure, most kids under 18 will be dragging their feet all the way to the bus stop, but for those lucky young adults ready to take the next step and head off to college this fall, this time of year can be anything but dreaded. A plethora of knowledge and experiences await them; but what about something as simple as their dorm room? Most kids won’t give it much thought besides which bedspread they want and what posters to put up, but here are a couple tips on what to bring, and what to leave at home when preparing for the college dorm experience.

Essentials:

 

        1. Extra-long sheets

If you’re purchasing sheets for a dorm bed, it’s important to remember that your regular twin bed sheets just aren’t going to fit it, no matter how much you stretch and pull. There seems to be a universal law among colleges that all twin beds in dorms be an extra foot or so longer, to accommodate the tallest of students. This means that you’re going to have to be on the lookout for sets of extra-long sheets (Also known as Twin XL). Most big name stores that you’re already buying supplies from will carry them, and usually have quite a selection around back to school time. Just make sure you’re paying attention to the label and picking up the correct size; retailers seem to have a knack for stocking regular sizes right next to the extra-long variety in the same color/patterns (trust me, I sadly know this from experience.)

 

1.      2. Shower caddies/flip flops

Although I have yet to encounter a college environment I would deem unkempt or unclean, it’s very important for prospective students to remember that you’re sharing an environment with potentially hundreds of other people. If there’s one place on campus to remember this little fact, it’s definitely the dorm bathroom. While you’re out getting those extra-long sheets, be sure to pick up a handy shower caddy to keep all bathroom essentials packed together and safe. Most dorms do not allow you to keep your shampoos and soaps within the actual bathroom (they’ll most likely be thrown away by cleaning staff) and who wants someone from down the hall using their personal cleaning items in the meantime? Something else that should be kept with your shower caddy: a pair of water-proof flip flops to wear in the shower. Like I said, I wouldn’t call most college bathrooms “unclean”, but bacteria thrives on wet surfaces, and athlete’s foot is notorious in dorm showers. Better to be safe than sorry. 

 

1.       3. Lanyards

Seems simple enough, huh? Chances are you already have a lanyard of some kind, or will receive a complementary one the second you step foot on campus. I myself didn’t realize how useful they could be until I was juggling text books, a backpack, a purse, and a hundred other things while trying to not lose my keys and student i.d. Most colleges will charge fees for replacement of a dorm key/i.d. and if you don’t like the idea of a random person possibly having access to your room, it’s important to keep a solid eye on those things. A good lanyard can keep all your essentials within arm’s reach. 

 

1.       4. Fans

Parents, brace yourselves: in the next couple weeks, I guarantee you will receive AT LEAST one cranky phone call complaining about just how hot it is in your student’s dorm. It’s a terrible fact that most dorms do not possess air conditioning, making fans an absolute essential. Your standard box window fan is your safest bet for keeping cool, especially if you end up on a top floor (remember, hot air rises!) You might also want to invest in a small, personal fan to keep comfortable while trying to sleep. No matter what you choose to use, remember that some colleges do not allow appliances that consume over a certain amount of electricity. Check with your school’s Student Housing department to make sure you’re within compliance. Another sly tip: Most schools do in fact provide air conditioning units, available to students with breathing and allergy conditions. In some cases, having a basic doctor’s note can upgrade you from furnace to five star living. 

 

1.       5. Headphones

For most students who own ipods, this is already probably packed and ready. However, no one quite understands the importance of a simple pair of headphones until they fully enter the college environment. Sure, everyone likes to listen to their music, but imagine all of the distractions going on around you on campus. Headphones can be a godsend when you’re attempting to study for a big test, or you’ve got a roommate with a snoring problem. 

 

1.       6. A door stop/snacks

These items might seem a little strange, but make no mistake; they are crucial to the college experience! Once settled in, it’s important for students to get to know their neighbors, form bonds, and make friends. Nothing helps as much as having a good sturdy door stop to allow potential new friends to stop by and chat. It gives others a chance to get to know you on a different level than running into each other on the way to the bathroom. Snacks of course, are an added bonus; my best friend used to keep an entire drawer full of chips and cookies, leading to several chances to make new friends. Of course students are there to learn first and foremost, but not having a strong support system of friends and acquaintances can really be a drain on the college experience. 

Do not bring:

 

-Overly expensive items

It’s a sad fact of life that no matter where you go, there are going to be a few bad eggs. Hence why you won’t want to bring anything overly expensive that isn’t necessary to college. Leave any expensive clothing, accessories, electronics, or anything similar at home. It’s understandable that most kids are going to need a laptop, ipod, tv, ect. But you’ll want to cut down on potential theft in the dorm. While a locked door can do wonders to deter theft, it’s not the last line of defense. Discuss the importance of placing all valuables in a concealed area that possible thieves won’t think to check. 

 

-Pets

This should go without saying, but college just isn’t the place for Fido or Fluffy. Most, if not all college dorms have a strict no animal policy that does not allow furry critters of any kind. I’m sure the majority of students are already aware of this, but you’d be surprised at the things some people try to get away with. If it isn’t a cat or dog, but you are unsure of a school’s policy on if it is allowed, it’s better to just be safe and not bring it along. Most students will be spending the vast majority of their time studying, going to classes, or sleeping; maintaining a pet just isn’t conducive to college life. If you find yourself needing some sort of animal companionship, dorm favorites are goldfish, turtles, and hermit crabs for their low need for attention/interaction, and their inability to escape and terrorize your roommates.  

 

-Your textbooks

I know this sounds crazy, but hear me out. Most colleges allow you to browse classes and requirements online these days, and even print lists of necessary materials. Many students can buy their books from the on campus bookstore as soon as they arrive, and have them ready to go for the first day of class. The problem with this method? Most classes, although covering the same topics, are taught by a number of different teachers at different times, all with different requirements. You can potentially spend hundreds of dollars on textbooks that your professor will never use, only to sell it back to the bookstore for a fraction of the price. The smart thing to do is to simply wait for the first day of class, and allow your professor to announce what they require. The best way to buy your books is by looking them up on a site like Amazon.com (They have a wonderful offshoot for college called Amazon Student) or Half Price Books.com. These sites allow you to find the exact same books sold in the bookstore for a fraction of the price. You can save potentially hundreds of dollars a year simply from picking up a used textbook instead of shelling out for the shiny new addition. 

 

Resources:

When it’s time to get out there and start gathering your supplies for back to school, make sure to look at Target’s Back to College collection. They offer a wide range of products catered to all styles, with an emphasis on being functional yet trendy. Another great store for dorm shopping is Bed, Bathand Beyond especially if you’re looking for simple and effective storage solutions for a cramped space.

Like I mentioned earlier, you can’t beat Amazon.com’s selection when it comes to buying textbooks, but Half Price Books is also worth a good look. Most of those sites also allow you to sell the books back, so make sure to take care of them for a higher resale price.

And finally, if your student is looking for awesome ideas on how to decorate their dorm room, head over to Pinterest.com and look through some of their simple and creative methods to personalize an empty space. 

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Did You Know…About the Ohio State Fair?

It is not too late to visit the 2012 Ohio State Fair!  The fair runs all the way until this Sunday, August the 5th.  With all of the pavilions, arenas, stages, rides, and let’s not forget the fair food, there is always something to do at the Ohio State Fair.  See the schedule right here!  

Did you know that The Giant Slide has been a fair tradition since 1969?  Or that The Skyglider is one of the longest portable sky rides in the world?  Both are open from 10am to 11pm daily.  Mountain Dew has sponsored this year's midway which has 60 plus thrilling rides including the other traditions of the fair; the ferris wheel and carousel.  The midway is open from 10am to 11pm during the week but stays open until midnight on the weekends.  Kiddieland keeps the same hours as the Mountain Dew Midway, including the special weekend hours.  

Great musical acts such as Chicago with The Doobie Brothers, The Isley Brothers, and Gavin DeGraw with Colbie Caillat have already played their scheduled concerts as of last week, but there is still more to come with the finale of The Ohio State Fair's musical guests.  Tonight, Boston will be playing with special guest Kansas, and many other acts are still on the schedule to be shown by the 5th of August.  See the concert schedule here.

Not only will you get the chance to eat a deep fried buckeye at the Ohio State Fair, you will get a chance to meet some of the real life players.  If you are an Ohio State Buckeyes fan, your day will come on August 4th from 11am to 1pm.  According to the fair's official website, "Buckeye fans catch all the action of Ohio State Athletics. Meet and mingle with Ohio State athletes and coaches, get discounts on upcoming Buckeye sporting events and try out some of the Buckeye interactive activities."  Best of all (if there really is anything better than meeting the real, live Ohio State athletes), the price is completely free!

If the dread of parking is holding you back, check out the new app that allows you to pin your parking spot, helping you to find your car easier at the end of the day.

Check out the official Ohio State Fair website for more details and join the fun before it's over for the year! 

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Home Décor: Look No Further Than The Short North!

When moving into your new home, one of the most daunting yet enjoyable tasks can be deciding what kind of statement you want to make with your home décor. In an age filled with a hundred television shows dedicated to the topic, and interior design businesses on every corner, choices are aplenty. One option readily available to the central Ohio community that everyone should consider are the multitudes of creative works offered by the vibrant Short North Arts community, conveniently located along High St. between downtown Columbus and OSU campus. This bright, bustling stretch of galleries, pubs, and shops should be a mandatory destination for anyone looking to add some character to their home. Here’s the rundown on what the Short North has to offer...

Brandt-Roberts Gallery (http://brandtrobertsgalleries.com/)

The Brandt-Roberts Gallery is a fine art gallery that specializes in historic and modern day paintings, as well as custom framing and art restoration. The styles range from early 20^th century impressionism to mid-century modernism, with a special emphasis on works from the Eames era. The gallery also hosts a number of workshops and demonstrations for those looking to get out and do something fun. Their range of clients consists of private collectors, businesses, interior designers and museums. If you’re looking for unique, painterly, museum quality pieces to decorate your home, this is the place. 

PM Gallery (http://pmgallery.com/index.asp?i=13)

Opened in 1980, PM Gallery has been instrumental in the creation of the Short North’s well known and attended gallery hop event, which occurs the first Saturday of every month. The gallery is known for their specialization in handcrafted sculpture, glass art, and jewelry, as well as the representation of well over 300 working artists. Full of beautiful one-of- a-kind pieces sure to brighten up anyone’s dwelling, PM Gallery is a must see for sculpture and glass enthusiasts.

Lindsay Gallery 

(lindsaygallery.com)

The Lindsey Gallery is known for their emphasis on folksy, “outsider” art usually from local Ohio artists who are not professionally trained, but display an affinity for painting and drawing. The pieces are bright and bold, and range from modern and abstract, to detailed scenes and portraits (and even the random marionette). There is literally something for everyone at Lindsay Gallery. Those with eclectic tastes looking for something a little outside the norm will enjoy what the gallery has to offer.

Currently Showing: Robert Falcone: “Apocalypse Soon”

Sherrie Gallery (http://www.sherriegallerie.com/)

Sherrie Riley Hawk opened her first gallery in the Short North area in 1986, establishing her business as one of the nation’s premier galleries for fine glass art and sculpture. Fast forward to 2004 and the opening of the Sherrie Gallery, and you’ll quickly see that not much has changed prestige wise. The gallery still holds a high reputation for its beautifully crafted, highly impressive sculptural works. If you’ve got the extra room for something truly unique and a flair for the dramatic, Sherrie Gallery should be number 1 on your list when it comes to decorating. 

Gallery 83 

(83gallery.com)

For those who are really looking for pieces of art to liven and brighten up a space, Gallery 83 is your place. This vibrant, youthful hangout is known for showcasing the Columbus underground’s young up and coming artists, many fresh out of school. Anyone with a love of pop art and the avant garde will feel right at home. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, check out Gallery 83 during gallery hop for a dynamic crowd, drinks, and live music. 

 Roy G Biv Gallery 

(roygbivgallery.com)

 The Roy G. Biv Gallery was created in 1989 as a non-profit gallery for emerging artists, with a special emphasis on showcasing local Ohio art. As if the incentive to support local artists wasn’t enough, the gallery offers high quality paintings, sculptures, and photography that is second to none when it comes to technical skill and power of expression.

 Currently showing: Columbus Dispatch photo staff

Rivet Gallery 

(http://rivetart.com/rivet.jsp)

Looking for something REALLY outside the norm? Head to Rivet Gallery, where they specialize in limited addition collectible designer items, as well as some of the most surreal and original works of art in Columbus. Rivet runs the gamut from beautiful hand-crafted pieces of sculpture and art, to prints, tshirts, toys, and more. If you love modern pop style art, or even cartoons, give Rivet Gallery a visit.

Currently showing: Morphous Group Exhibit

 

Sharon Weiss Gallery  

 (http://www.sharonweissgallery.com/)

The Sharon Weiss Gallery specializes in original works of art, consulting, and antiques, so there’s plenty to catch everyone’s eye here. Opened in 1994, the gallery prides itself in connecting customers with one of a kind pieces they love, art or otherwise. Their passion for art is evident in their willingness to work with clients, help them gain insight into pieces, and connect them with artists. If you love the look of historic and contemporary art and antiques, visit the Sharon Weiss Gallery and find a new treasure for your home.

Currently showing: Diane Powell – Bicentennial Artist