Handcrafted jewelry, pottery, art glass, baskets, clothing and more, all created by nearly 50 fine craft artists -- Ohio has some of the most amazing craftsmen, and some of their best work is on sale for the holidays!

The Ohio Craft Museum is hosting its annual Gifts of the Craftsmen sale on November 15–December 23. So, if you're looking for something useful, unique and reasonably priced...

Ohio Craft Museum
1665 West Fifth Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43212
phone/fax (614) 486-4402
Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 1–4 p.m.
Admission and parking are free.

You have the chance every day of the year, but a good time to take that stroll would be Sunday, September 27. That's the day that Inniswood Metro Gardens is throwing itself a 25th birthday party. High Street Stompers will provide Dixieland jazz 2-4 p.m., and the Herb Society of America, Central Ohio Unit, will discuss how to grow, harvest, preserve and cook with herbs (noon-3 p.m.). You may even take home a potted herb for your kitchen.

It's all free at Inniswood. Other free metroparks programs include tram rides through the Metro Parks and "Commit to Be Fit" walks.

Chat with editors, agents, writers and illustrators of P-YA books at the upcoming Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) conference. It's on October 3, and sponsored by the Central and Southern Ohio SCBWI Chapter. Guest editors, writers and agents include Kaylan Adair, associate editor-Candlewick Press, Ruta Rimas, assistant editor-Balzer & Bray, Shelley Pearsall, agent Erin Murphy, Cinda Chima, Jenn Stark, Constance McGeorge, Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, and Joe Kovach. Limited to 120 participants.

When: Oct 3

Where: University Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, 3110 Olentangy River Road, Columbus

Time: 7:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Cost: $135 (late reg. and some workshops are extra). Online registration.

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Yes, there really are "Literary Rock Stars." And Rolling Stone has decreed that David Sedaris is definitely one of them. If you've read Sedaris (Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day), or heard him on NPR or in person, then you know why. If you haven't seen him, then you're in for a treat. The last time this witty, irreverent “literary rock star” was here, people packed the Palace Theatre.

When: Oct 17

Where: Palace Theatre

Time: 8 p.m.

Cost: $46.50-$66.50

The final free PBJ & Jazz at the Topiary Park concert is Saturday, September 19. Some of Columbus’ youngest  jazz musicians will play in this short jazz concert sponsored by the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Arts Group, the Friends of the Topiary Park and the Friends of the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML). 

A family storytime begins at the Library at 11 a.m. The music -- chosen to complement the stories -- starts in the park at noon. So pack a picnic and enjoy the sights and sounds of an afternoon in the park.

The Topiary Park is next to CML's main branch downtown. It's filled with bushes grown and trained to resemble George Seurat’s famous painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte. Photo courtesy of Friends of the Topiary Park.