How to Prepare Your Home Before Vacation

Summer vacations can be the perfect time to kick back and relax. And you don’t want you have to worry about the safety of your home while you’re away. To ensure that your home is well protected and cared for, pre-vacation prep is a must.

Nobody likes returning home from a relaxing vacation to find, dead plants, over-stuffed mail boxes or even worse, burglary. Here are some things that can help ensure your peace of mind when you’re away on vacation.


Security Is Top Priority

Security is probably the first issue people think about when going on vacation. Purchasing light timers is a cheap, fast and easy way to create a home security system. Be sure the timing is staggered so that your lights don’t come on at the same time each day. If you do have a home security system, it may still be necessary to use light timers. Also, alert your security company of your absence. If you are leaving cars behind while vacationing, park them in the driveway to give the illusion that somebody is home. And of course tell your neighbors. They will keep an extra watchful eye on your home while you’re away.


Maintaining Your Property

A yard will stay well maintained for about seven days before it begins to look overgrown. If you’re on vacation longer than that, make sure you hire someone to care for your lawn, flower and vegetable garden—even if it’s just the neighbor boy looking to make some extra summer money.

Managing the mail and newspapers is also important. If you’re going away for an extended amount of time, you may want to request that the post office halt the delivery of your mail altogether. Otherwise, have a friend or trusted neighbor pick up your mail and newspapers.


Vital Odds and Ends

Make it a point to turn off the stove and unplug the dishwasher, coffee pot and other small appliances before you leave. Also, make sure to unplug larger appliances like your television and computer so that a potential storm doesn’t cause your electronics to power surge and start a fire.

If you have pets at home, make sure you have secured a spot at the vet for them or friend who is willing to play with them and let them out daily.

And of course, close and lock all windows.

Weekend Brunch Options in Columbus

Nice article from Walker...click on the link for the entire article.

clipped from www.columbusunderground.com It’s the weekend. You’ve slept in. You’re in the mood for breakfast, but it’s also just about time for lunch. Guess that means it’s time to head out for some weekend brunch! There are loads of brunch options all over Columbus, but we’ve narrowed down a quick list of 10 choices to help you decide where to go. Read on for menus, prices, and dish descriptions that will make your stomach growl. Banana Bean Cafe - German Village / Greenlawn - Menu (PDF) - Prices $10-15 Barrio - Downtown - Menu - Prices $7-17 Bodega - Short North - Menu (image) - Prices $5-8 Due Amici - Downtown - Menu - Prices $8-15 Lindey’s - German Village - Menu (PDF) - Prices $9-16 Northstar Cafe - Short North / Beechwold - Menu (PDF) - Prices $7-12 Sage American Bistro - North Campus - Menu - Prices $6-10 Tasi Cafe - Short North - Menu - Prices $6-10 Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails - Downtown - Menu (PDF) - Prices $7-9 ZenCha Tea Salon - Short North - Menu (image) - Prices $9-10

Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace Is Now Open! 248 S 4th St (Downtown)

I missed the Opening!!! I was out of town at the White House

clipped from www.columbusunderground.com By Walker | June 28, 2009 6:09pm | Filed under Dining | Comments After over a year of delays and setbacks, Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace is scheduled to officially open on Wednesday, July 1st at 4pm. Hot dog fans will be treated to a variety of menu choices with toppings ranging from Sriracha Slaw to Beef Brisket to Kim Chee to Indian Mango Chutney. Drinks include Frostop Root Beer, Cherry and Lime Slushies, a variety of specialty draught beers and one-of-a-kind cocktails. The interior of the restaurant has been completely revamped, and includes a bright red-and-yellow color palette. In the photos below, you can see that the walls are adorned with paintings by artist Thom Lessner. We have PDF files of the menus posted up here: drink menu / food menu. Dirty Frank’s is located at 248 South Fourth Street and will be open every day of the week from 11am to 2am. More info will be online soon at DirtyFranksColumbus.com.

New Short North spot aims for cosmopolitan vibe but affordable noshes

From the Columbus Dispatch

clipped from www.dispatch.com On the level On Restaurants On the level New Short North spot aims for cosmopolitan vibe but affordable noshes Tuesday,  June 23, 2009 3:02 AM By Bill Chronister THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Level Dining Lounge, at 700 N. High St. in the Short North, presents itself on a number of levels. The former R.J. Snapper's has been retooled inside and out to be cosmopolitan, said Brent LaCount of the Design Collective, yet evoking a sense of "old Columbus." The facade has been pared down to the brick to lend permanence to the location, yet the removal of awnings also brightens the space during the day and gives the mezzanine lounge views both into the dining area and onto High Street. And despite the deep contrast of white leather and green fabrics, mixed with dramatic lighting and a high-tech DJ/VJ booth, the seating in the bar, dining room and lounge is comfortable and casual. " />

Cooper Stadium Racetrack Back in the News

clipped from www.columbusunderground.com By Walker | June 21, 2009 9:14pm | Filed under Development | Comments Both the Dispatch and the Other Paper ran articles last week on the racetrack redevelopment being proposed at the old Cooper Stadium site. According to developers, it sounds like they’re now aiming for a more mixed-use purpose for the site, which could include BMX, motocross, and snowmobile events. They even stated that there may only be as few as 15 auto racing events per year, keeping the noisy days to a minimum. ROARColumbus doesn’t appear to have issued an update to their website since the coverage last week, but it seems that they’re still opposed to any type of racetrack concept entirely.

Short North valets might be sent off-street

clipped from www.dispatch.com By Mark Ferenchik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH If Columbus officials get their way, valet companies will be forced to park cars on off-street lots by 2011. That should ease congestion along Short North streets and prevent confrontations between valets and visitors vying for on-street parking spots, the city officials say. But some valet companies say such rules will hurt smaller companies that lack easy access to lots in a neighborhood known for its lack of parking. "That's going to be a real problem in that area. They already don't have parking lots available," said Michael Nitenson, who owns Elite Valet Parking. Valet companies and Short North business owners recently met with city officials to discuss proposed changes to valet policies that were last updated in 1991. One of the main changes would be that valet permits would require private parking agreements by 2011, giving valet companies and restaurants time to find private lots, said city public-service spokesman Rick Tilton.

Central Ohio Real Estate Market Data Released-CRITICAL

This is data for the ENTIRE Central Ohio Area. If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, this is critical market information. Send me an email and I can send you data for your neighborhood or your future neighborhood.

Click on the image to increase the size