Palace Theater Columbus Ohio

 The Place Theater in Columbus Ohio is a beautiful beautiful old theater.  Any time you have the chance to see a performance here it's a special night.  Do treat yourself and go, you'll not be sorry.  Theaters used to be far more then a building to watch a movie, or hear a concert, they  themselves were beautiful works of art.  You're limited in what you can take pictures of, though I saw some people ignoring the signs that asked that you not photograph in certain areas and certainly NOT during a performance, there are always those rude people who feel they mean everyone but them.  This is the main entrance and where will call is.  Look at the marble, the intricate carvings and details.  Do click to enlarge.

 One of the many elaborate chandeliers. 

 We were seated on the main floor, to the left is the stage, across and up the special boxes, and to the right you can see the edge of the balcony.  The balcony is actually my favorite place to sit, but when we got our tickets as part of a fundraiser, we didn't know where they would be; as we didn't get to select them.

 A terrible attempt, once again (we really ought to give up, lol), at self portraits hubby and me.  We keep wondering how the kids always pull it off.  I was leaning back in an attempt to get in the picture, not a good look.

Here you can some better detail of the special boxes that were above and to our left as well as those across.  Gorgeous.  Someday perhaps we'll pay the big buck and get tickets there...maybe.

We enjoyed The Tenors, previously known as The Canadian Tenors.  They were fabulous!

The theater opened back in 1926, and was primarily used for Vaudeville Acts of the day.  Because Vaudeville performers needed to be heard, the acoustics were truly focused on in the theaters design.  Many great performers have taken the stage here like: Bing Crosby, Nat "King" Cole, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Jackie Gleason, Gypsy Rose Lee, Glenn Miller, Mae West, and Jack Benny to name a few.

The Palace Theater holds some interesting history.  Back in the 30's, 40's and 50's, many traveling acts stayed for several days or a week at a time.  The back stage area of the theater, was in fact like a hotel for the performances.  They had their rooms, a front desk to pick up their keys, a play area for the performers children, and even a pet bath below the stage with a ramp.  The rooms were titled for the various cities along the vaudeville tour.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Take and Bake Pizza

*It's Menu Monday*
 Mama Mimi's Take and Bake Pizza.  Always made with fresh tasty ingredients.  A nice way to do quick, easy, affordable gourmet pizza at home.  There are several locations here in Columbus, Ohio.  These came from the Grandview location at King and North Star.  Picked them up on my way home from work.  I like the lighter pizza's with white sauce and or oils.

Hubby prefers red sauce and a combo of meat and veggies.  A small pizza a piece is perfect.  If you've not tried Mama Mimi's Take and Bake Pizza, I encourage you to do so.  Pizza's come with directions about how to cook them.  You'll not be disappointed.  Generally cheaper then a wood fired pizza you'd get out, perhaps a bit more then a regular pizza...depending on what you put on your pizza.

When we travel, we also enjoy Take and Bake.  In Hitlon Head we've ordered from TJ's multiple times and have never been disappointed.  There too there are multiple locations.  We've always ordered from The South End location on Palmentto Bay Road.  Their menu is varied with plenty of choices for all appetites.  I highly recommend TJ's Pizza in Hilton Head.

Take and Bake Pizza, add it to your menu list while vacationing.  Check for locations near you and enjoy. 

Hope to see you again next Monday for Menu Monday 

Cleveland Turkeys not for Thanksgiving

 Well, it is almost Turkey Time!  Now you may not be able to tell how big this fellow is; but...he was big.  I was watching him out the kitchen window from my friend Jane's house this past weekend.  In my blog post on Sandy's Space, I mentioned heading to Cleveland because a friend had a very large tree fall on the house....this is the friend, and from these pictures you might get a feel for landscape and the number of really large trees......thus the wild life.

 This one you can see a bit more color.  Shooting through the window isn't the best way to get a photo, but didn't want to try and get outside and scare them, or them scare me for that matter.  Yes I did say them....they were all over the place.  AND, since the tree fell on her house and smash the screen porch (among other things), you really couldn't go out the door.

 Travel, exploring can truly be in your own back yard.  While Cleveland may not be the first place you would think to travel..........But, travel is what you make of it.  I go no where without my camera, even to my friends house that's been damaged.  That turned an ordinary day into something special.

 Hunting is permitted in this area, in her yard in fact; but no...you can shoot your Thanksgiving Dinner.  It's a bird preserve so you need to just enjoy these big fellows.  You can however hunt Deer there, which is a good idea.  There are in abundance and are dangerous when they get on the road.

Gobble Gobble.  Cleveland does have things to offer though if you want to travel there.  There's football, baseball, basketball for the sports enthusiast.  In winter not to far away is a ski area called Boston Mills.  They have a wonderful symphony, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a fun entertaining area called the flats on the river.

No idea why I can't get rid of the under line here, sorry folks.  We drove around through the very large Cleveland Meto Parks area.  It's fabulous.  Many places to picnic, walk, run, ride a bike, ride a motorcycle.  People were out everywhere enjoying some unusually warm weather after their storm associated with Hurricane Sandy.  So, if you happen to be traveling to or through Cleveland............enjoy!

Still trying to work with this new template and am not yet there, so please excuse the mess during construction.

**Did you know Ben Franklin wanted the Turkey not the Eagle to be the symbol for The United States of America?  So did one of my ancestors who has a Turkey on his gravestone!**

Huntington Park Columbus Ohio

Take me out to the ballgame, take me out with the crowd, buy some peanuts and cracker jacks....sing along. Here I am (oophs eyes closed), at our local ball field, Huntington Park a few weeks. What a deal this night of entertainment was. I bought a Groupon (50% off which meant I paid for 1 ticket and got 2), through Superpoints (see badge in sidebar), which meant I also got POINTS! We had a "ball". Huntington Park is an awesome ball park.
Entertainment for the whole family. After all baseball is America's Game. This is ride for the wee ones is like riding the horses outside grocery stores. We passed this on our way to our seats.
Some interesting large historical posters give a real feel for the long standing history of the game in Columbus Ohio.
Some cute kids in front of us. Good friends who really enjoyed the game. Surging the team on with their rally caps.
You pass the Liberty Bell, which has it's own separate history. Sadly I couldn't get a good picture of it without people, or get close enough to explore the history and have found nothing on line to fill in the gaps. Notice the picnic tables off to side? Lots of places to eat if you want to have your meal before you get settled, though there are cup holders on the backs of the very comfortable seats.
Food choices are in abundance with stands everywhere. And...some pretty cool art for the kids to interact with.
Highlights was in attendance the night we were there, handing out book bags with goodies for the kids...puzzles, stickers, and books to read.
We arrived early to pick up our tickets at will call, thus the stadium is still pretty empty while the teams begin their warm up.
And for the hotdog in all of us! A photo opt no one can pass up. Be the hotdog, see the hotdog. lol

Baseball began in Columbus during The Civil War being one of the earliest ball clubs. The first games were played at the Broad and Parson Field, where The Franklin County Insane Asylum was located. There have been multiple locations, and multiple owners for The Columbus franchise through out the years. At times the team was the AAA team for The Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and even the St. Louis Cardinals. No matter where the team played, or whom the owners were the history of baseball in Columbus is long and deep.

Take your family out to the ballgame and enjoy America's favorite past-time.

If you'd like to have a good time, and save money in the process...I encourage you to join superpoints and be sure and check the local deals in your area. There are 3 easy steps to joining.

1. register
2. verify your email addy
3. take care of your profile

If you join, let me know. Happy to help if you have questions. To date, I've earned $100.00 in Amazon Gift Cards through superpoints. Though you have options how you'd like to convert your points, I've chosen all Amazon gift cards. These gift cards have gone towards the purchase of school text books for kids in need. If you join, you too can be a part of that. When you spin and win for yourself and your family (I do also). Talk about a win, win, win situation. You, Me and ultimately the kids who get the text books they need for school.

The Old Mohawk, Columbus Ohio

Around the bar on a Saturday afternoon, at The Old Mohawk in German Village. Hubby and I had attended the annual Haus and Garten tour in German Village. Hot and dusty and naturally thirsty we stopped in at an old favorite location. When we were younger we visited The Old Mohawk often for Beer and Burgers. Was always a fun location, small and a bit of a dive...but a good dive.

The Bar's been in operation since 1933, so it's quite historic. It's located at 819 Mohawk Street on the corner of Mohawk and Kossuth in the heart of German Village. Myles Elk opened the tavern in 1933 after the 18th amendment, Prohibition was abolished. Rumor have it, they were famous for the turtle soup, which was always made fresh. The turtles were raised in the basement. Now, I believe this was more then a rumor. My Mother actually visited upstairs in her youth. Her family knew the owner. She informed me years ago they had turtles in the basement. If Mom said it, I take it as fact, not rumor.
You can get a feel for the place with brick walls, the tin ceiling and the old original artifacts on the walls. Myles operated The Mohawk until his death in 1947. It was then managed by some of his family until 1975 when sadly it was sold to 2 brothers who cleaned it up and tried to make it hip. It was called Tiffany's then. We went once and twice and felt like they ruined it. We liked the Old Mohawk and it's being bit of a dive. Luckily that period of time in it's history was a short 2 years, when the current owner purchased it and once again made it The Old Mohawk.
You can see a time line of it's history on their menu. The menu...well typical bar food.

Sorry this photo is a bit dark, as I was looking towards the windows.

It's a comfortable, come as you are place with a reasonable variety of food selections, beer selections, wines and mixed drinks. Prices are good, service was a bit slow the day we were there. However, to be fair...I think they'd been beyond busy because of the tour. So, I don't hold that against them, and do plan to return. We had a snack....a HUGH order of nacho grande for $9.59 between the 2 of us and didn't eat it all. Excellent appetizer to share. I had a reasonably good margarita while hubby had a beer. We left refreshed and full.

Appropriate for couples, and small groups. It's not particularly family oriented which is fine to my way of thinking. It's small and not really room for kids to move about. Casual dress.

Recommend you give it a try. In case you're curious....there is no turtle soup on the menu, nor turtles in the basement.

Check back for when, where and how to travel any day of the week. And remember Monday is Menu Monday. Ahead for change, so posting this a day early

Pizza House Columbus, Ohio

Hopefully you can read the motto posted on the menu at The Pizza House. The Pizza house a family owned business for 50 years serves pizza, sandwiches, as well as veal and spaghetti. The menu is varied and priced well for both lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

A neighborhood establishment located at 747 Lincoln Avenue, across the street from it's original location on Sinclair Avenue is a marvel. Against big powerful chain operations it has done more then maintained. It's grown and improved and delights the older original customers as much as the newer, 2nd or 3rd generation customer.

They offer dine in or carry out and something on the menu for anyone adult or child. The restaurant has always been family oriented, though back in day, was an awesome place for a date, or pizza after the local high school football game.

Good food, good service, and good pricing. They also offer Gluten Free specials, so much in need in this day and age.

Bill Colasante has been part of The Pizza House for 50 years. He purchased the business 30 years ago from Bob Tiberi and Richard Dorn. But, he didn't purchase an unknown; he worked there...was in fact their first hire. And this many years later is still at it with long time help like Jeff Tiberi (36 years) and Doug Wilford (39 years). It's no wonder they are a success, still serving family recipes after 50 years.

Recommend for families, couples, dine in, or pick up. A good time!

Traveling on Foot

Traveling on foot can be adventure. This 4 legged creature travels everywhere on foot. AND if you're traveling on foot, through the woods...be careful you don't startle wild life. Startled wild life can be dangerous.
Actually, this creature and I weren't in each other's space at all. I was pouring a cup of coffee looking out the kitchen window at a friends house Christmas morning in Cleveland Ohio. Gates Mills to be exact. She has acreage and so seeing wild life is common place. I took the picture right through the window and so did a bit of computer work to diminish the flash that hit the window and....reduce the blur a bit caused by the distance and using the digital zoom.

Safety though is important when traveling. Particularly in winter. Cars provide protection and heat, and often people forget to pack with safety in mind. Do you have a pair of boots in the car when you travel in the winter? If not, you should. The weather may be beautiful when you start out, then turn cold, wet, snowy icy and cold. Should you have car trouble, or an accident you need to be safely and warmly able to get out of the car in conditions that may not be the safety and warmth of someone's garage. Do you have mittens, a heavy coat and hat? If not, you should for the same reason.

Enjoy your holiday travels and be take a little precaution...........pack for an emergency.

Time Travel and Froehliche Weihnachten

Time travel of sorts. This is my ancestral family (Dad's side) 5 generations ago. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas (Froehliche Weihnachten).

My great great grandfather was a big man, especially for those times. Born in Germany Wilhelm Heinrich Mader, he immigrated to this country when he was young and single. He came alone after the death of his parents. He married Anna Heinlein who was also born in Germany; but immigrated to this country with her parents. They made their home in Chillicothe, Ohio.

I'd love to know what their Christmas's were like so long ago. I know they had a goose pen in their yard and that would have been The Christmas Dinner.

So, from my family to yours.
Merry Christmas

Include Art Festivals in your Travels

Got a shovel, a rusted rake and screw drivers you don't know what to do with? Fred Jacobs of Lima Ohio (41-222-3659) uses his creative mojo to make something fun, interesting and useable. This is re-purposed, re-cycled, clever and a favorite item I recently saw at Upper Arlington Labor Neighbor Day and Arts Festival. I got his business card and had his permission to photograph his work. Assumed his business card would have his webpage url, sorry to say it doesn't. The Card reads Visions and Memories Fred Jacobs. I wasn't able to find him listed when I googled his name or Visions and Memories. There were lots of metal sculptures present at The Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival. We traveled...lol, walking distance from the house for this event; but I do highly recommend it, and all arts festivals in your travels. We've been luck in our travels to hit one in Park City a few months ago, one in Breckenridge last summer and others. Check with your hotel desk staff to see what's in your area while you vacation. Support local artists. 99% of you will purchase souvenirs of your trips, why not make it art from a local artist while you're at it.
I considered buying this little guy (not the same artist). I didn't see business cards for this artist to share with you. Many of the metal scuptures were large and would be awesome in a beautiful garden, this one I thought might be cute sitting on my deck....and I love a good martini. Perhaps we'll come across this little frog another time in another arts festival. Cat lower right right is pretty cute too.
Hey Gator fans......think you need this one for your front yard. lol This is the same artist as the frog.
Pinon Designs. This Red Creek Agate looks great around my neck. I like interesting, and unique jewelry pieces. This is the 2nd necklace I've purchased this summer at art festivals. Leslie Heath and Christian Wig are the artists listed. Though no website is listed there is an email ccwig@bright.net.
This year the festival was held on September 5th from 10 am to 5 pm. It is always a free event with something for everyone. Often it's hot and dusty, this year it was cool and overcast; but that didn't stop the festival goers. It threaten rain all day; but luckily we all stayed dry.
Plenty of space to move around, to enjoy the art, to sit down and enjoy a snack or just rest your feet a bit. There were children's activities scattered about. Hands on art activities for the kids, face painting, bike races in the morning, a pet show and a family Wiffle Ball Tournament.
Neighbors catch up and celebrate the end of summer, the beginning of fall.
You can tell I was into the metal art this year, look at this Bumble Bee...........how cute he'd look in a nice large garden area. This years event had 350 applicants with 200 fine art, fine craft artists being selected to participate in this one day blind juried event. Mark your calendars for next and add this to your Labor Day list of things to do.