Oh yes! First review of----The time and temp number!!!…read more My dumb smartphone became frozen on earphone mode--meaning I couldn't hear anything out the speaker; I could only hear out the earphone jack. After working the problem for a bit I needed a phone number to call to check its status. I remembered back in the old days of the 20th century the time and temp number one called for time and weather info before the internet was born. That would be the perfect number to call to see if my phone was back in order. Did the number still exist? Yes it does! In fact, I did a google search and found this, the yelp listing for the T&T Weatherline. They do have the time and date correct. The weather is on point too. Only downside is you have to listen to the advertisement before hand. So if you want the time or weather and are too lazy to actually press your apps to find out, call this number--nevermind the fact that it takes more work to do than just asking Siri or Alexa, or whoever.

Melt Magazine is a pocket-sized arts and entertainment magazine published in Columbus and…read moredistributed for free. I see it all around campus- in dorms, commons, and shops in the area. It's a cute little magazine. It's colorful and glossy and therefore chock full of advertisements. The space left for magazine content is used wisely, in my opinion: lots of visual data with small blurbs and short articles. It makes sense for a magazine this small- a short review of a concert, for instance, is perfectly fine when it has half a dozen pics of the event on the facing page. It's got a fair share of typos and misspellings, but Melt isn't half bad. I'd skip their video game reviews, though- it seems to be written either by someone who isn't a gamer or somebody who is trying awfully hard to appeal to a non-gaming crowd. Horrible. I mean, hey, it's free. That's about the best review anything could have, right?

Melt sent a friend request on Facebook and I went ahead n friended them…read more Not a bad little publication. Good info on movies, clubs and bands. (Social D and Rev. Horton Heat, hells yes) Worth checking out for entertainment info.

I (actually) like this station. Some of it is a bit much (in terms of music...Aaron Neville and…read moreLinda Ronstadt anyone?) but they are extremely involved in the community and actually have one great website. I secretly listen to Delilah at night, too. She makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. (And no I've never called.) If you haven't seen the new online outlet they are providing to its listeners, go check it out now. Great idea! I am really impressed with the events that they organize, too! I went to one back in April (Girls Night Out) at Whole Foods on Sawmill and it was fantastic! I am really impressed with the lengths this station goes to carve out its own niche in the community and think outside the box.

Music, of course, often evokes strong opinions so the tunes may or may not match your taste (it's…read morepop/rock), but I love that the station is very active in the community. They host various events throughout the year, everything from the kids club at Polaris Fashion Place during the summer to Girls' Nights Out and more. This year, we enjoyed attending the Easter EGGstravaganza Drive-Thru, which was a fun event that the kid really enjoyed. They had various booths handing out candy and other goodies (the cat ears from Cat Welfare was a big hit!), Mr. Sunny, and pictures with the Easter Bunny - all from the car. The station also offers their Treat Truck, which heads around to different events and different neighborhoods (you can apply for yours on their website) and hands out free treats. We've enjoyed everything from Dairy Queen ice cream or popsicle treats at kids club to this year's partnership with Cheryl's Cookies for Cheryl's birthday. We appreciate all of the fun stuff they've put together for the community!

I listen to this station for local sports talk and really enjoy it especially in the morning and…read moremid day, not as much in the evening. The evening guys are a little too juvenile but still enjoyable.

Unabashed and overwhelming ammount of commercials. 70 to 90 % OSU football year around, between…read morecommercials.

The neighborhood publication. The Village Vibe comes out every month or every two months depending…read moreon the Victorian Village Society's budget. A simple eight-page spread, the Village Vibe has basic editorial about the area and what's going on. It takes submissions from residents and businesses. There are just a few, unobtrusive ads. I find most of the information to be interesting and relevant to me, a district employee. The one section I don't understand is The Sesquipedalian Dumpster Diver. I didn't even know what sesquipedalian meant until I ran across it in this publication and promptly turned to a dictionary. Just to satisfy your curiosity, it means "characterized by the use of long words or containing many letters or syllables." I don't know why they would use such a running title. I guess they think it's clever. But, as a reader, I think it's just hard to grasp. Even after I had grasped it, I didn't want to stay connected. Anyway, it's the chronicles of a Vibe writer who, of course, lives in the neighborhood. There's always a helpful events calendar and a list of common city contacts on the back page. This is a humble publication that is near and dear to me. But, as a slight criticism, I must say they print way too many of these things. I always see them floating around with long-past expiration dates. And the photos need some Photoshopping. This is a black and white publication, and the visuals are always too dark.

They are mildly repetitive, but definitely the best radio to listen to for alternative throwbacksread more

Ha ha ha HA. Really? This station is hilarious, awesome, and scary all at once. And I can't stop…read morelistening. Let me run down part of a recent set from Gen X Radio 106.7: Sir Mix a Lot, Baby Got Back NIN, Head Like a Hole Twisted Sister, We're Not Gonna Take it TLC, Red Light Special Alanis Morrissette, You Outta Know If you were born any time in the late 1970s through the 1980s (1983 holler!), this station will likely make you feel the same. And while I definitely could do without the Alanis, the rest of the music on this station makes me reminisce like a mofo. This is, of course, regardless of whether I actually liked the music at the time, and/or whether I actually remember it firsthand, or if instead obsessive consumption as a teen of VH1's "I love the 80s" helped me to "remember." I have to say, it's an interesting concept to put basically what is two overlapping generations (I'm fairly sure Generation X is far too old for Eve 6) as well as at least 6 different genres (r&b, rap, grunge, hair metal, radio rock, radio alternative, etc) onto one station. It's slightly schizo, but I think ultimately, it works. It's like actually existing in the 80s and 90s because all that stuff was all around you, whether you liked it or listened to it or not... I mean, come on, who doesn't know who Duran Duran or Salt n Peppa are? Right? Right. So yeah. Radio 106.7 is my new The Brew (formerly my go-to station, since I rarely listen to the radio). I can't even remember The Brew's call numbers... what have you done to me, Gen X Radio!? My very own station...!

It is easy to get the wrong idea about (614) (the parentheses are part of its name), the free…read moremagazine available monthly at various places in town; it is not a rag to discover what weekend events are happening, what band are playing where, nor will it get you free entry to a gouging strip club like say the extinct Other Paper did. Though they do have monthly schedules, smart phones have put an end to prints that specializes in only that. What it does, as magazines do, is publish feature articles; stories from a wider perspective and more in-depth than hard news. For me, its deeper coverage of Columbus' culture and goings-on is my feature writing supplement to columbusunderground hard info. Together I am out of the dark about the community's civic and cultural trends. The covers are always graphically and photographically eye-catching. They make the issues look glossy, an illusion as one touch reveals its lower grade paper stock, a fact not to be disparage for a free publication. Still the artistry of the illusion should be applauded; often with city landmarks transported behind animated avatars they appear like old super hero comics--the city behind rendered like Gotham. Their photos laid covers are just as well done. Articles are usually well written and edited, with various levels of sophistication and acumen, but never underserving; I appreciate the general artsy style here than the tranquilized tone of the Dispatch's Art Section The February 2016 addition is typical of what you will find every month: the story of a local musician battling back after break up of his former band due to a theft; an electrically written interview with the band Animal Collective; a look into the art competition involving the Arnold Sports Festival; A look at the annual Dude-a-thon at Studio 35; a look back at the NFL's roots in Columbus; and a great article viewing the benefits and challenges of the social enterprise model embarked by Hot Chicken Takeover and other businesses in town. Packed with info and interests, it was a joy to read. Ending each addition are short-short stories written by Columbus area writer showcasing the talent in town. (They also have poetry that I think misses, but I am picky about that art form.) I usually pick one up while eating after a long work week. It is a must for anyone interested in the city's culture.

There are a core group of publications that I must have by my bedside to find what's coming up and…read morethe latest Columbus news. This is one of them. (614) is published each month and is in a nice, large format that is full color and chock full of useful local information. The tone of the magazine is similar to 'Alive' but with a bit more refined flavor. For example, the April 2010 issue has articles on African restaurants around town next to articles on the best Columbus locations to buy a house and how to go about getting a good deal. Their events section is beautifully laid out with large descriptions of each event and pictures accompanying each one which makes it nice to see something other than an endless sea of type. The stories and events are Columbus centered so you have a good chance of seeing someone that you know (if not yourself) in its pages. I usually pick up (614) at Cup O'Joe but they are scattered all about town with a high concentration in the Short North. But pick one up fast as they go quickly!!

My colleagues and I were invited to mix up some cocktails on 107.9 The Mix for a few weeks for the…read morenext couple months. Michelle and Eric were truly hospitable and invited us in with open arms. I truly did enjoy meeting every single one of them there. The radio station plays about hits and I listen to it daily. I'm so excited to go back in a couple weeks just in time for Christmas. Cheers!

In my punk rock early 20s I would have never dreamed that an oldies station would be one of my…read morefavorite stations, but so be it. I love this station not only because of the delicious irony of a station whose call letters are "O.D.B." playing oldies, but because I love oldies- classic rock and pop songs from the 60s and 70s that everyone in the car can, if they are made of the Right Stuff, sing along with, huge goofy grins and all. I mean, come on, this station has multiple blocks of nothing but The Beatles. Yesssssss. Granted the DJs are beyond corny here. Their jokes are so bad that sometimes I feel embarrassed to hear them- and that's not a cute joke on my part, that's the truth. Horrible, horrible humor. Granted I'm not in the target audience, but I can't imagine many people enjoying fumbled pseudo-sexual jokes made by a smooth-voiced oldies dude. Just... shudder. Still, this is one of the three stations I can stand in Columbus and it is fast becoming my second favorite of those three. Definitely worth a listen in my book.