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Back to School 2012: College Start Dates!

Back to school for area colleges and universities; as Central Ohioans, we know just how crazy this time of year can be! Remember the traffic down around OSU's campus during move in week? In an effort to help you better get around (and hopefully moving into your new home!) here is a list of some of the most popular colleges in the state, and when they'll be returning.

Most Beautiful Mansions in America

Forbes Magazine recently released their picks for the most beautiful mansions in the nation, and it sure is hard to argue; all of their selections are stunning examples of top notch architecture and design. From towering Gilded Age turrets, to chateau inspired layouts, and even renascence style residences, you can’t go wrong with these beauties. Take a look:

Lyndhurst Mansion, Tarrytown, NY

Architect: Alexander Jackson Davis

The Lyndhurst Mansion was originally owned by the former mayor of New York, William Pauldring Jr. in the 1820’s. It sits facing the Hudson River in historic Tarrytown, New York on a knoll with 67 acres and “park-like landscapes.” The mansion it’s self was created in the Gothic Revival style, which had just begun to rise in popularity at that time. The mansion would undergo two more facelifts in years to come, both while in the possession of different owners; George Merritt, and Jay Gould. The estate passed into the hands of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1967 and holds guided tours, musical performances, and special events for the community.

To learn more, check out Lyndhurst’s official site that features information of tours and admission: http://lyndhurst.org/

 

Woolworth Mansion, New York City, NY

Architect: C.H.P. Gilbert

Frank Woolworth, a wealthy retail business owner in the 1890’s had been working on the completion of a skyscraper on fifth avenue, when he contracted the same architect, C.H.P. Gilbert to build a series of houses for his three daughters, Edna, Helena, and Jessie. What resulted was a huge central mansion at 4 East 80 Street known today as Woolworth Mansion. This neo-French Renaissance creation features a limestone façade and seven levels total. Altogether, the mansion contains 8 wood burning fireplaces, 14 feet ceilings, a dining room that can sit 50, and an elevator that services all levels. Woolworth is every bit as astounding as it sounds, and so is the price tag: $90 million dollars!

Vizcaya Mansion, Miami, FL

Builder: James Deering

Vizcaya began as a winter get-away for American industrialist James Deering, who founded a business on providing agricultural equipment to the world-wide market. At the time of its construction in the early 1900’s, 10% of Miami’s total population was employed to work on the mansion. Aside from the huge waterfront complex, the estate also includes a farm with livestock and sprawling gardens all sitting on 180 acres. A small staff remained to maintain the house after Deering’s death in 1925, and in the 1950’s it was sold to Dade County, Florida under the condition that it become a public museum. Today you can tour the building, gardens, and grounds, as well as view an extensive collection of art objects. 

If you’re interested in visiting Vizcaya, stop by their official museum site for more info: http://www.vizcayamuseum.org/home.asp

 

2901 Broadway, San Francisco, CA

Architect: Henry Clay Smith

This stunning mansion perched atop a hill in the Seaside Heights area of San Francisco was originally modeled after a Palazzo in Fiesole, Italy, making it the only Renaissance style complex you’ll find in the area. Its prime location lends it to breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and San Francisco Bay. As if that wasn’t enough, the interior features seven bedrooms, five baths, a grand marble staircase, music room, formal dining room, butler’s pantry, family living level, and gallery. Most of the inside consists of all original hardwood flooring, and beautiful ornate molding and trim, fireplaces, and chandeliers. 

You can see the entire interior of 2901 Broadway here: http://www.2901broadway.com/ or even set up a tour to buy the property, since it was listed in February. That is, if you’ve got an extra $34 Million to spare.

Biltmore Mansion, Asheville, NC

Architect: Richard Morris Hunt

Possibly the most impressive estate on the list, this chateau style mansion built by George Washington Vanderbilt II in 1895 is considered the largest home dwelling in the United States, and it’s really no wonder; it’s made up of 175,000 square feet, 250 rooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, and 3 kitchens. The complex sits on a total of 8,000 acres and includes its own village, several European style gardens, a scientific forestry program, and livestock farms.  Other features include 70,000 gallon indoor pool, bowling alley, 2-story library, and multiple elevators. The Vanderbilt’s only child Cornelia would later open the estate to the public in 1930 to help bolster the local economy that was still in the midst of the Great Depression. Since then, the Biltmore has been converted into an inn and winery, making it a beautiful and historic place to get away.  

To learn more about staying at the Biltmore, go to their site at: http://www.biltmore.com/

 

Did You Know…About the History of the Olympics?

The Olympic Games have proven just as strong as their athletes.  Being the Olympic Games is tough and hard earned work!  The Olympic Games have withstood centuries of controversies,  criticisms and time periods of stagnation, but today still stand for something higher and better than all of the negativity; drive and ability.

For all of you Olympic Buffs out there, here is a quick yet detailed overview of the history of the Olympics and what brought them to the status they have today, in a timeline format:

Ancient Olympics

 

776BC to 393AD the Olympics were a religious festival until banned by Theodisius I for being pagan.  In 426AD, Theodisus II had all Greek temples destroyed. 

Athletes would compete in the buff.
 

Games were held every four years.  The four year time period was called an Olympiad and was used as a normal unit of measure in day to day life.

18^th and 19^th Century

 

In the 1790’s, the French tried to revive the Olympic Games with L’Olympiade de la Republique.  

1860 The Wenlock Olympian Games began in Shropshire, England.  They were originally started in 1850 as an Olympian Class until they were privatized.  These games still go on today.

In the 1860’s the first amateur games with an international outlook were created.  They were called the Grand Olympic Festival and began in Liverpool and were for “gentleman amateurs” only.  

The Greeks tried to revive the Olympic Games as well as soon as they gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821.  The ancient Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens was rebuilt for the games which was funded by Evangelos Zappas.


In 1894, Baron Pierre de Coubertin reintroduced the modern Olympics.  IOC (International Olympic Committee) took over and Olympic Charter structured the games.  Winter games introduced.

In 1896 the Games were held in the Panathinaiko Stadium and were very successful.   The Olympic Hymn was first introduced to the games at this time.  The Greeks loved hosting the games so much that they wanted to host them permanently.  The request was denied by the IOC and the games were hosted in Paris.   This started the tradition of rotating the games internationally as well as started the tradition that the hosting city was to be in charge of the games. 

  

The 20^th Century

 

The Paris exposition was held in 1900 and introduced women to the games.  There was not a stadium for the Paris games.  Instead of medals, they awarded the athletes with paintings because they believed that the paintings were of more value than the medals.  

The games were held in St. Louis in 1904. This was when the Olympics started using the three medals as awards for winning the games.  

The games were not very popular in 1900 or 1904 due partially to the introduction of women to the games.

In 1906 Athens held the Intercalated Games which were not overseen by the IOC but were extremely popular internationally.  This was the last boost the games needed before they steadily became popular and a growing event.

The Beginning of the Modern Olympic Era

 

 

 In 1912 the medals were no longer entirely made of gold rather made of silver with 6 grams of gold plating the medal.

The Berlin Olympics in 1936 were the first televised Olympics.  However, they were only televised locally.

The Winter Olympics of Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy in 1956 was the first internationally televised Olympic event.

In 1957 the Olympic Hymn, which was originally written for the 1896 Athens Olympic Games, was finally declared the official hymn of the Olympics by the IOC.

The Olympics that partook in Rome were first televised in the United States in 1960, covered by CBS.

In 1972 Avery Brundage retired as president to the IOC which sparked the IOC to start seeking more television coverage and international corporate sponsors.

The Youth Games were introduced in 2010 allowing athletes between the ages of 14 and 18 to participate in the Youth Olympic Games.

The Paralympics

 

The first Paralympics were held in 1948 when Sir Ludwig Guttman wanted to promote rehabilitation of World War II veterans.  They were originally called the Stoke Mandeville Games and were played annually between several hospitals.  

It was not until 1960 that they were called the Parallel Olympics.  

They were not hosted at the same time or in the same city as the Olympics until 1988 in Seoul, South Korea.

 In 2001 the IOC and the committee for the Paralympics finally signed an agreement that host cities would manage both games. 

More interesting facts about the Olympics:

 

The logo was created with symbolism in mind.  The five rings represent the five continents of Africa, America, Asia, Australia, and Europe).  Each nation’s flag contains at least one of the colors featured on the Olympic logo.  

The United States has won 2,189 medals at the Summer Olympics (not including the current Olympics in London) which is more than any other country.

French and English are the official languages of the Olympics.

The oldest man to have won an Olympic award was 72 when he won his last medal.   Oscar Swahn of Sweden won 6 medals in his Olympic career, all in shooting competition.

There has never been a country in the Southern Hemisphere that has ever hosted a Winter Olympics.

Africa, South America, and Antarctica have never hosted an Olympics.

The first Marathon was run in 490BCE by a man who ran from Marathon to Athens (about 25 miles) after the Persian invasion in order to communicate the outcome to the Athenians.  The man, Pheidippides, fell dead to the ground after he fulfilled his duty as a messenger.  The entire run was barefoot and full of obstacles.  The 1896 games included a marathon in order to commemorate Pheidippides sacrifice. 

According to this article sports such as Tug-of-War, Power Boating, Water Skiing, and Rink Hockey have all been dropped from the Olympic Games

For more about the current Olympics, the official schedule and results can be found here.

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.