I have called well over 20 times; different days of the week, different times etc. They have never,…read morenot once, answered the phone. There is a message about high call volume and then hangs up. It does prompt you to visit the website, however, not all information is on their site. The information that I NEED is not available on the website. I live in a different state and the only option I have is to call. You can't leave a message or anything. This is absolutely unacceptable!!! This is why so many people hate government ran agencies. Absolutely worthless!!

So, what is it with government agencies being efficient and friendly? Remember how the BMV used to…read morebe a pain- long lines, surly employees? Okay, sometimes it's still not great, but it is way better than it used to be. The post office usually has friendly people at the counter, and lines move. And random government offices like this one are actually a joy to visit. Well, maybe not a joy, but seriously, not depressing and really pretty nice. We needed to pick up Baby K's birth certificate. Yes, you can mail in a form, but I had a good experience at the Ohio Vital Records office downtown and wanted to give this place a shot. And try a BBQ place nearby, but surely that didn't influence my itinerary... Anyway, I found this easily. Right at the corner of Main and Parsons is the big Columbus Public Health complex. Swing around back, and there is a big, free parking lot. Walk in and the records windows are to the left. I had my form filled out already, but you can pick them up there. Take your payment and form to the window on the right, closer to the entrance, then go back and wait near the window on the left. They'll call you up (I waited less than 5 minutes,) and then you're done. Boom. That's it. Birth certificates cost $25; they have fancy ones for more, I believe, though that might just be at the Ohio records office. The employees were friendly and obviously efficient. I ended up with plenty of free time. Go check it out.

What a cute area in Ohio! I stumbled upon this area when searching for things to do on Yelp. When I…read morewas planning to visit, I did not have any particular place in mind to visit; I just planning to stroll and pop into places if they looked enticing. We had our dog with us so we did not do an abundance of walking around. From what I saw, there were no places that welcomed pets in the businesses. It makes sense and it was no biggie, I just did not spend as much time as I would have if pets were welcome. I stopped into what I thought was a deli but more like a restaurant with a counter, hoping to purchase goodies for home. There are several stores for shopping, which were fun to browse. I only purchased some chocolates in a candy store, which apparently were made in house. I definitely want to visit here again with more research.

This is a lovely historic neighborhood just a couple miles south of downtown Columbus. If you have…read morea free afternoon and the weather is nice, it's well worth a visit to Schiller Park (dog-friendly with benches) which has a garden and statue dedicated to the German poet Schiller. I took COTA Bus #5 from downtown Columbus (Ohio Statehouse) and explored the area just north of the park. The brick houses and cobblestone alleyways provide a glimpse of life in the 1880s and early 1900s when this area became a central hub for the German-American community. I don't think there are too many kid-friendly activities or museums nearby - but it makes a pleasant excursion if you're stuck at the Convention Center for a conference in downtown Columbus. Street parking looked a bit challenging. If Bus #5 is running slow on your return trip from the German Village back to the downtown area (it can be up to a 30 minute wait if you just missed the last bus), consider taking an Uber/Lyft taxi instead.

I absolutely love this food pantry. You can visit twice a month and you can receive produce, meat,…read moretoiletries, fruit, vegetables, pasta, potatoes, cereal and more! The staff are very friendly and helpful and they are always are willing to help with a smile. I really like the hours. The hours are convenient, and keep in mind the working family. For example, they have early Saturday hours, and two days during the week with one day in the morning and one day in the evening. Therefore, if you work a traditional 9 to 5 you can come after work. The lines are long though! Before COVID-19, we were able to go inside and shop. However, the Hilliard food pantry takes the pandemic very seriously and they converted to a drive-through method. You drive up, give them your information, and they load up your trunk. They do this very quickly but you will be in the line for a bit. There are some days that I come and things are very in and out, about 10 minutes. And there are other days where I'm there for almost an hour in the line. I can tell you that it's worth it. For struggling families, they do so much. Sometimes they have clothes, and shoes as well that have been donated. They even offer assistance during Thanksgiving and Christmas which includes food as well as toys. And the toys are good, they give bicycles almost every year. They also offer utility assistance once a year. The people here are just amazing. I said that already but I think I should say it again. Full disclosure here, I have pretty intense back and hip problems. One time I pulled up onto the line at the pantry, and my hip totally locked up on me. I was already in park but I couldn't lift my foot to the gas pedal. So, I was essentially holding up the line... unable to get out of the way or move forward. I called the pantry and told them the situation. Two women came out to help me! I am appreciative of what the Hilliard food pantry does for my family. Thank you!

This has become our 'go-to' place when we're home. We had never been Moose members before and were…read moreintrigued when a friend invited us to join. We're so glad we did. The people are friendly and welcoming. The prices are good if you want to stop in for a cocktail. There are also slot machines, keno, and jukebox music. The bartenders are personable and give good service. Add in daily and weekly drawings, fundraisers, raffles, and Queen of Hearts. While they don't have a kitchen, there are occasional dinners and potlucks. Money raised goes to Moose and community charities. It's nice being able to contribute and be a part of something that helps the community.

My husband and I are proud members of the Moose and this is our home lodge. We really enjoy the…read morefun and really good people that belong here. The bartenders are fantastic. Unfortunately there isn't a kitchen at this time, however they have great pot lucks and fun events where food is provided by members. I have to say that there are many good chefs here. They also have activities such as: Euchre , Dadts and Horseshoe tournament. Awesome bands play here. I love the charities that the Moose represents. I love knowing that the money that I spend here had a purpose. If you're in this area and looking for good people to chill out with, make sure to look into here.

Ohio is a central hub for American manufacturing and one of the largest strategic locations from…read morewhich to ship from in North America, both Nationally and globally. Ohio is a key swing State politically, and critical to agriculture, transportation & logistics, and high technology. With world class infrastructure, abundant water and other resources including coal, natural gas, petroleum, and salt. Ohio is a global economic leader in steel, rubber, automobiles, and aerospace research & development. All of these things provide the platform on which the Ohio Chamber of Commerce operates. The Ohio Chamber acts as a non-partisan advocate for business at the local, State and National level, providing expertise and programming that position Ohio businesses to maximize positive economic growth & opportunities, and help to position Ohio as a competitive leader worldwide. Ohio Chamber programming provides businesses with opportunities to network, learn, and grow, to connect with other leaders and share valuable experiences between members. The Chamber also provides tools to help businesses, like health and benefit programs, research, and educational materials. The organization helps members to stay connected and well informed. Businesses would do well to connect with the Ohio Chamber, and learn how it might be of benefit to their operations.

Since 1977, Columbus Landmarks Foundation has been rallying to preserve and protect Columbus's…read morearchitectural history, of which I am a huge advocate. It is a non-profit organization, so their funding comes by way of membership, tours and special events. The CLF offers some wonderful guided tours of various aspects of the city. The walking tours are fair-priced, ranging from $7 to $15 and focus on unique little corners of the city, such as "Iuka Ravine Historic District - Urban Nature at its Grandest," "Clintonville - A Tapestry of Amazing Streets" and "The Original Haunted Columbus Walking Tour." If you are new to Columbus, this is a nice way to learn about your new neighborhood. Check their website for a list of upcoming tours. They tend to offer one or two per week, particularly in the warmer months.

In a Halloween-y mood last fall, I signed up for Columbus Landmarks Foundation's Gables, Gargoyles…read moreand Ghosts bus tour. After two hours of cruising Columbus hearing about history, hauntings, and landmarks, I was hooked! I signed up for another tour the very next weekend. The Landmarks Foundation has a noble goal (historic preservation and rehabilitation), which it accomplishes through advocacy, events, and education. I am from Columbus, and had no idea of the rich history of our city until I started attending CLF's events. I highly recommend checking out one of their tours to find out more about Columbus neighborhoods and history.

High St in the Short North is a hybrid. If you live or work on the west side of the street, you…read morebelong to the Victorian Village. If you're on the east side, you're Italian Village. You wouldn't think it'd be a big deal. The Short North is really all one neighborhood. But the two different societies really come into play when you start talking about things like new businesses, storefront appearances, parks, development, etc. Many changes in the neighborhood have to go through the society commissions (VVC and IVC). The commission groups consist of members appointed by the mayor of the city. Both the Italian Village Society (IVS) and the Victorian Village Society (VVS) are very interested in maintaining the appearance, authenticity, and integrity of their historic neighborhoods. I have regular contact with both societies, and I'm a fan of each for different reasons. The IVS is a democratic group that regularly meets and votes on issues affecting the neighborhood. Their efforts to give residents a voice are commendable. In my opinion, the biggest strength of the IVS is its ability to organize people. The IVS has a great following. IVS members are almost always willing to volunteer their time, even for non-IVS events and benefits. They're tireless, trustworthy, easy-going workers who are a pleasure to be around. The annual Italian Festival is probably the biggest event the group organizes, and I'd imagine it's one of its main moneymakers. The IVS website is usually outdated, but it still has decent information about things that happen in the neighborhood: losses, celebrations, district accolades, street sweeping schedules, and the like. Another thing the IVS is great at is distilling information. The website has a page filled with other neighborhood groups and useful links, and the society regularly distributes a list of helpful phone numbers to call like City information, traffic violations, and environmental complaints.

If you're in town, German Village is a must-see. It offers a variety of stores and restaurants,…read morealong with beautiful homes and charming streets. In contrast, Italian Village is more residential, with just a few small shops scattered throughout. We stopped by for ice cream during our visit! Try CRMD...Its worth the visit to try this ice cream shop!

Love the mission of this organization as Columbus IS a fashion city, just not well known for its…read morefashion, yet. CHM Fashion Week has done quite a bit to change the perception of Columbus as a fashion city and continues to do so. Can't wait for the actual Fashion Week this year Oct 14-20 and especially the finale show on Oct 19th!