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.

------------------------------------------

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.

No, I'm not giving any $$$ away. But here are three programs designed to 1) help save central Ohio businesses money, 2) link people with jobs, and 3) provide cheaper recreation. (And while we're talking about money, don't forget to check out 10 Free Things to Do this Fall.)

Your business may be able to save a bundle by taking advantage of the Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) set up at Rickenbacker. An FTZ is a USA site that is legally considered outside of Customs territory. So, businesses can import goods into the site duty-free. This lowers the cost of doing business, and can help local companies compete globally.

The Columbus Regional Airport Authority operates the site at Rickenbacker. It's holding a free seminar for businesses on Oct. 22 at the Northeast Conference Center from 8 a.m. to noon. Call Kathy Mills at (614) 409-3606 for more info.

----------------

www.ArtsWorkOhio.org is the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) free, searchable database. Employers can list arts and cultural sector jobs, internships and board positions on the site for free. People looking for jobs, etc. can search the database -- also for free.

------------------------

The City of Columbus runs seven (7) public golf courses. They have the golf course, lessons, leagues, tournaments, programs for juniors and seniors, driving ranges and pretty decent courses. These golf courses are self-supporting, so they don't use public tax dollars. But, they're very reasonably priced. And right now, they have some specials on right now that will save you money.

American Idol winner Jordin Sparks takes center stage at one of Columbus’ premier horse competitions and family events – the New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix and Family Day. Hannah Montana star Mitchel Musso opens for Sparks.

The New Albany Classic, September 27, is a day-long family event hosted by Abigail Wexner at the Wexner place in New Albany. There are carnival rides, crafts, the Tween Brands Concert featuring Sparks, Musso and the OSU Marching Band, and the New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix. This year, 30 of North America’s top professional riders and horses compete. 100 percent (yes, 100%) of the Classic’s proceeds go to the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence.

-------------------------

The Columbus Blue Jackets don’t start their regular season until October 3. But, come September 15, they’re hitting the ice, the puck and anything else in their way.

Two of the preseason games are "Dispatch Family Value Pack Nights." On Sept 21 and 27, the $25 per person "includes a ticket, Pepsi drink, Sugardale hot dog, popcorn and Dispatch Ice Haus skating pass."

Photo by Dan Floss and courtesy of the New Albany Classic.

There's a lot going on this weekend, but first something I want to know: Does anyone have a good way to get to the game on Saturday? I didn't go to the Navy game, but I understand that traffic and COTA were pretty bad. Any comments? Any ways to make it easier on your fellow travelers?

This weekend you may want to check out the festivals, or the free Family Day at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Or get a jump on the season, and check out some of the Halloween train rides and other hauntings. (I think it's a little early, but what do I know?) Or, head for the Best of Fall Home Show and enjoy:

• A Saturday plant swap;
• Home remodeling talks and demos
• Friday night Wine tasting;
• Lectures on lawn and garden care
• Saturday beer tasting;
• Making a terrarium;
• Kids' crafts.

Check the September calendar for more weekend fun.

Finally, if you're the type that likes to plan more than a weekend ahead, tickets for the Zac Brown Band's October 23 show go on sale tomorrow (September 11) at 10 at Value City Arena/Schottenstein Center. It's hard to define these guys, but you know that if they've opened for ZZ Top, Etta James, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, Willie Nelson and BB King, their music is as tight as it gets. You can buy tickets via ticketmaster, but going through the Center's box office, (614) 292-3231, is cheaper.

If you've never felt the power of an art quilt, you should check out the show September 13–November 1 at the Ohio Craft Museum. If you do know the emotional kick this artform can pack, then you're probably already putting this on your calendar. In pen.

The show -- Conversations in Fabric -- showcases more than 25 contemporary quilts. They communicate through color, texture and imagery, and short phrases stitched or transferred onto the fabric. These aren't your grandparents' quilts.

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.

I don't know about you, but I think this is a GREAT step forward at our airport. Now, when I'm picking someone up, I have a place to wait for free. No more circling the airport drives, like a vulture in a light blue minivan.

The new Cell Phone Lot has about 50 spaces. You can find it "by traveling westbound on International Gateway and exiting to the left onto Goshen Lane." Or, if you're like me and don't really know the names of the roads by the airport, use this map.