Enjoying a staycation? A few must visit spots in the capital city, whether you’re new or a local

Sports, art, music, parks; there is never a shortage of something to do in Columbus.

Downtown has no shortage of sporting venues, Huntington Park plays home field to the Columbus Clippers. Enjoy Dime-a-Dog Night or Party on the Park before one of the exciting games. A stone’s throw away is Nationwide Arena, where you can cheer on the Columbus Blue Jackets who still have a chance to make this year’s playoffs. A short drive away is Crew Stadium, where you can watch the Columbus Crew. Discount tickets to any of these teams are available through D-Tix.

If you are looking a different kind experience, you might head to Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Enjoy Cocktails at the Conservatory on Thursdays with the blooms and butterflies exhibit with hundreds of butterflies flying freely. COSI can fill your curiosity void with a new hands-on exhibit starting June 8 featuring MythBusters. Or step inside a self-contained, mysterious work and get your Indiana Jones’ on with “Adventure: In The Valley of the Unknown.” And located on our very campus, you can visit Wexner Center for the Arts. All summer long they are having special showings, exhibits and events. Another great place to visit in Columbus is The Book Loft of German Village, which houses 32 rooms of every genre and fantastic bargain books. The pre-Civil War building was once a saloon, nickelodeon cinema and is now home to one of the nation’s largest independent bookstores.

A fair and festive summer | 2013 Columbus Festival and Fair Guide

With the amazing culture we have in our great city and the fantastic weather (I am crossing my fingers for this summer), we are sure to experience some fantastic festivals and fairs.

June
Columbus Arts Festival
 See (and purchase) work from local artists and watch more than 75 live acts. No hot dogs and fries here, the event is bringing back gourmet fare to the festival. June 7-9 at The Scioto Mile on the Riverfront

Park Street Fest 
In the two days this event takes place, more than 35 bands will perform. Local favorites like The Floorwalkers and LDNL, plus my personal favorite, Who’s Bad.
June 7–8, 2013 on Park Street

Pride Festival 
Last year the event broke records with more than 200,000 participants. Personally, I can’t wait to see how Nina West will top last year.
June 21-22 at Goodale Park

Comfest
One of the biggest showcases for artists and musicians, but also an event to promote tolerance, compassion and thoughtfulness. It’s a weekend where the community can get together and be free to enjoy themselves. June 28-30 at Goodale Park

July
North Market Food & Ohio Wine Festival
Enjoy wine tastings for Ohio wineries. The event kicks off Friday with a preview party including a performance by Blues Hippy.
July 12-14 at The North Market

Jazz & Rib Fest
Ribs, delicious ribs. Watch as vendors compete for the best ribs, plus live music and fun events.
July 19-21, 2013 in Downtown Columbus

Ohio State Fair 
This year’s top acts include Jeff Dunham, Martina McBride, Styx & “Call Me Maybe” singer herself, Carly Rae Jepson. Experience an authentic fair with fried anything you can imagine.
July 24-August 4 at the fairgrounds.

August
Dublin Irish Festival 
Four stages, authentic Irish vendors, food and drinks and lots of bouncy curls on more than 29 acres of park.
August 2-4 at Coffman Park

Columbus Food Truck Festival 
Once you fill up on more than 40 food trucks like The Cheesy Truck or Mojo Tago, you can enjoy live music and take a little ride on the carousel ... but wait 30 minutes!
August 16- 17 at The Columbus Commons

Columbus Summer Beerfest 
Winterfest was amazing, but I can’t wait to experience more than 60 breweries and more than 300 craft beers when it isn’t snowing outside.
August 16 at The LC

Is it summer yet?

Published April 23, 2013 in UWeekly

Play it by ear | Your 2013 Summer Playlist

Driving in a car with some friends reminiscing about the funny times we had the night before, Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night” came on. My cousin rolled all the windows down and we screamed out the lyrics. That’s the best part about a song; it can remind you of moments and experiences like nothing else can. Well, 2013 is destined to be an amazing summer and I have some great tracks to help start your soundtrack.

Top songs for that summertime love:

• Demi Lovato - Heart Attack
• Justin Timberlake - Pusher Love Girl
• Emeli Sandé - Next to Me
• Paramore - Still Into You
• Cee Lo Green - Only You (feat. Lauriana Mae)

Hot sun, big pool, cold beverage and these:

Ed Sheeran - Lego House

Love me some Ed Sheeran! Plus we get to she Ronald Weasley sing the song.

Frank Ocean - Lost

Frank Ocean | "Lost" (UN-OFFICIAL VIDEO - WATCH FULL SCREEN) from By Any Means T.V. on Vimeo.

JLO - Goin' In

I'm on my crazy.

And the oscar goes to ...

It was 1997 when a (then) a-known Ben Affleck came to the Oscars with his childhood friend, Matt Damon. The two were nominated for original screenplay for “Good Will Hunting.” Affleck, who took his mom as his date, gave a memorable speech complete with a cracking voice as he accepted his first Oscar. Now, 16 years later, he’s back with a nomination for the big daddy of all Academy Awards – best picture, and I think he’s going to take it home.

Over time, we have had many memorable moments during the Academy Awards, such as Halle Berry, the first African-American woman to win best actress, Heath Ledger’s father and sisters’ emotional acceptance of his award for best supporting actor after his tragic death and we can’t forget a Jennifer Hudson winning for “Dreamgirls.” Who would have thought that an American Idol contestant would win an Oscar?

For the 85th Academy Awards, scheduled to air Feb. 24, all nominees have some extreme competition. But I’m seeing Sunday evening going this way:

Best Picture The front-runners for this award are “Argo” and “Lincoln.” Both are coming into the awards with multiple nominations. Steven Spielberg waited years before filming “Lincoln” to ensure the timing and accuracy were on point, but I think the Oscar will go to “Argo.” The film, based on a true story, has already taken home four other awards including best drama and best director at the Golden Globes.