The case of the traveling gnome finally solved!

by Jerry Guo on

Murphy, a 8 lb gnome, returned to the doorsteps of an old Gloucester couple with a bag of photos and immigration stamps hailing from Mozambique, New Zealand, Singapore, Laos, Australia, and some dozen other countries. In an attached note, he wrote:

Hello! First of all I feel I should explain my prolonged absence. A gnome’s life is full of time for reflection, and whilst surveying your garden one summer morning, I began to get itchy feet.

I came to the conclusion that the world is a big place and there is more to life than watching the daily commuter traffic, and allowing passing cats to urinate on you. So I decided to free myself from the doldrums of the Shire and seek adventure. My travels have taken me across three continents, 12 countries and more time zones than I can possibly remember.

There have been high points, low points, and positively terrifying points. But I have survived – small thanks to the companion with whom I have shared all these moments.

Now the caper has been solved. Read more about the 22-year-old law grad who took Murphy on a worldwide tour.

Columbus is number one on a best places list: 10 things to do within walking distance from downtown.

by Jamie Rhein on

My friend over at Wallet Pop, Tom Barlow has outlined several reasons why Columbus is the number one spot on Forbes list of best places to retire. As he noted, that’s great news for those of us who already live here. It will save moving expenses later in the golden years.

Along with being a great place to retire, I have to say, Columbus is one of the best cities to visit if you are looking for variety whether its edgy or sedate, ethnic or traditional, outdoors or indoors.

Like Tom mentioned, having a car would make a visit easier because COTA, the public transportation system has issues, but even for backpackers, Columbus would be a good few days stop on a cross-country itinerary. There are many places within walking distance of the Greyhound bus station and the main arteries of the city bus.

With the person arriving by bus in mind, if I were heading to Columbus, here are places not to miss, all near the downtown and in a walkable distance. Although, the COTA buses that go along Broad St. and High Street would save time. The interest range covers the arts, history, famous people, science and nature. With the list I’ve given, you’ll be busy.

  • Ohio Statehouse. Because Columbus is the state capital of Ohio, the capitol building has a prominent place downtown. There are free daily tours. The tour is an interesting way to find out about the history of the state and learn about the architecture of the times. Plus, it really is a gorgeous building. The statehouse lawn is used for concerts, art exhibits, rallies and Civil War reenactments.
  • Across from the Statehouse is the Verne Riffe Center where the Ohio Arts’ Council’s, Riffe Center Gallery and the Studios in the Riffe Center Theatre Complex are located. The gallery offers creative and unusual exhibits on a rotating basis and the theatre complex offers a variety of performances ranging from modern dance to children’s’ theater to experimental type plays.
  • Columbus Museum of Art. This museum has exhibits that change regularly. The most recent is Objects of Wonder from the Ohio State University. Of the permanent collection, artwork is consistently rotated. (Eat lunch here.)
  • Franklin Park Conservatory. An elegant greenhouse that adds lush greenery and vibrant color to life any time of the year. The houses around the conservatory are grand, although a couple of blocks off you’re in territory that shows what happens when people with money head for the suburbs. The gift shop is superb. Each night, the glass Palm House is illuminated by a light show installation by artist James Terrell.
  • King Arts Complex offers exhibits and performances that highlight African American contributions to the arts. There is an important mural called Middle Passage that was created to evoke the feeling of being on a slave ship. The mural was painted in a connecting passage between two sections of the center.
  • Ohio Theatre, Palace Theatre and Southern Theatre, offer a theatre trifecta of historic gorgeous buildings built during the time period when ornamentation and rich fabrics were key. Between them, you can see the top notch performances. In this past year, I’ve seen The Lion King, Avenue Q, the Columbus Symphony, the Nutcracker Ballet, David Sedaris, John Prine, Ralph Stanely and the Stanely Brothers, and Promusica, among others. Each theatre and others can be accessed through CAPA,Columbus.
  • Topiary Garden in back of the Main Library (Columbus’s library system is number 1 in the U.S. as well.) In addition to the lovely flower beds, bushes are trimmed to represent Seraut’s painting “In the Park.” Stop in the Main Library for coffee and a cookie at the snack bar. The library is a gorgeous, stately building–one of my favorites.
  • James Thurber’s house. James Thurber, the humorist who penned “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” grew up in Columbus. Now his house is a museum as well as a literary center that hosts several author readings year round.
  • Kelton House. Another house museum. This Victorian house was inhabited by members of the same family for 125 years and was a stop on the Underground Railroad.
  • BOMA (Bar of Modern Art) Here’s a place to finish of the evening. Originally a statuesque Methodist church, the original stained glass windows and building details have been adapted for dancing, music, art and fine food.

One place you might stay if you have some cool cash, is the Westin Great Southern Hotel. Connected to the Southern Theatre, this is where Thurber hung out in the bar.

For extensive information about other parts of Columbus and more things to do, head to Experience Columbus, the city’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Of course, there’s more to do. I haven’t even touched on places away from downtown except for Franklin Park Conservatory.

The first photo at the beginning of this post by Nutsy Fagan was taken from COSI, the science museum, another worthwhile stop. While you’re walking here, check out the replica of the Santa Maria, Columbus’s ship–Columbus the explorer–where Columbus got its name. How? Why? Not sure.

Remember, these are downtown, I didn’t cover German Village, the Short North, the Brewery District or the Arena District. Those are also close to downtown and within walking distance if you have a good pair of shoes, or hop on COTA.

Cruise deal for US military folks: It’s free

by Jamie Rhein on

To thank the US military personnel who are currently serving in the military in Iraq or Afghanistan–or have served in these two countries this past year, Discovery Cruise lines is offering a free one-day cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Grand Bahama. This is a repeat offer from last year.

Recognizing that people who are currently serving can’t very well leave their posts at this moment–or even next month–or however long from now, the cruise line’s offer is good through December 2010.

There isn’t a hitch at all, and the cruise, although just for a day, is one sweet deal.

It departs at 7:45 AM and returns back to the dock at 10 PM. While on board, passengers get treated to a gourmet 7-course meal and all-you-can-eat buffets. Passengers also are treated to all the activities of a longer cruise whether they want to head to a casino, hang out by the pool, play organized games or attend a show.

Also, because a sweet deal isn’t really a sweet deal if there are hidden costs like: taxes, service charges and departure fees, those costs don’t exist either. That means this cruise is totally, totally free. (Okay, if you gamble, you’re on your own I would imagine.)

The service member does not have to register him or herself either. A friend or family member can register that person. This means, if you have a military guy or gal in your life who fits the profile, you’ll be able to give a gift that makes a person say, “Wow!”

Once a person is registered for the cruise, on the day of departure, he or she needs to show up at the dock with the receipt, military ID and an official letter from his or her unit confirming dates of service. Reserved reservations are required.

Personally, I think a one-day cruise is a perfect off because it ups the chance that someone can actually take the deal. For military families who want to head to Florida, there’s plenty to do around Ft. Lauderdale while your loved one is having the chance to unwind and connect with people who have had similar experiences.

To find out more info or make reservations, call 1-800-93-SHIPS or visit Discovery’s web site at
http://www.discoverycruiseline.com

Have fun, and thanks.

Get a tan and feel good about it.

by Annie Scott on

Catalyst Concierge, which was started by 29 year old Simone Callender, creates luxury Caribbean vacations for people who care about children.

Callender was inspired to found the company after a tenure as Governess to four children of a Middle Eastern Royal Family. Traveling the Caribbean with them, she always found the hotel concierge services, even at the grandest of resorts, insufficient. Special dietary needs? Need a private jet? Steel drum lessons? Got an unsightly rash? Callender is on top of all that.

I would imagine that dealing with four royal children for any length of time would make organizing the logistics of lying on a beach look pretty good. Most importantly, the company is doing good:

A portion of Catalyst Concierge’s profits go to benefit children internationally, including charitable organizations such as Keep a Child Alive, UNICEF, The Homeless Children’s Fund of America, and such as.

For sample itineraries and more information, visit the website! And feel good about it.

In the midst of an economic crisis, you might be richer than you thought

by Aaron Hotfelder on

I’m not saying this just to impress you, but I’m the 730 millionth-richest person in the world. How did I figure this out? Why, by going over to the Global Rich List, and entering my paltry salary. Do the same, and you’ll discover where you stand on the global wealth hierarchy.

Lest this all sound a little too competitive, allow the people behind the Global Rich List to tell you their real reason for starting this website:

“[W]e gauge how rich we are by looking upwards at those who have more than us. This makes us feel poor. We wanted to do something which would help people understand, in real terms, where they stand globally. And make us realise that in fact most of us (who are able to view this web page) are in the privileged minority. We want people to feel rich. And give some of their extra money to a worthwhile charity.”

There, don’t you feel a lot less dirty now?