Did you know that today is a blue moon? Whilst "researching" blue moons on Wikipedia, that vast, open-sourced trough of information in the sky, I learned that we are erroneously referring to a calender month containing 2 full moons as a blue moon. It more accurately refers to a quarter in a year which contains four full moons than the typical three; a magazine article misprinted the definition in the 40s and that led to today's common definition. Now you have learned something today. All of that to say, there are loads of outdoor events you can participate in to celebrate this rare (every 2.72 years) occurrence.
- The following parks have moonlight walks tonight (May 31st) for the blue moon: Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park, 1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway, meet at the Naturalists office, 8:30 p.m. Blacklick Woods Metro Park, 6975 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg, meet at the Nature Center a second 2-mile full moon walk in one month, 9 p.m.
Highbanks Metro Park, 9466 N. High St., Rt. 23 N., Lewis Center, meet at the Nature Center; stroll through the park in search of constellations, 7:30 p.m. adults only
Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, 8445 Winchester Pike N.W., Carroll, meet at the Springhouse program area by the last parking lot: a 2-mile hike 9 p.m. - Speaking of nature, here are a few more interesting Columbus (and nearby) nature-related events: Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Rd., Newark — Dutch Fork Wetlands, White Chapel Road: Wetland Chronicles, Damsels in Distress, June 2nd noon - 2pm. Cost is $5 - call 1-800-44-DAWES (32937) to register.
Denison University, Biological Reserve, 1760 North St., Granville Bird walk guided by Whitney Stocker, 8 a.m. June 2. Bring binoculars and be prepared for walking in wet grass. Call 740-587-6359 for more information
Here's one for bug people like Husband: the Caterpillar Craw at Blendon Woods Metro Park, 4265 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Westerville — Cherry Ridge Program Area. Look for monarch caterpillars! You can also learn how to participate in research this Saturday, June 2nd at 10am. Call 891.0700 for more information. You can find more information about programs at Columbus' Metro Parks on their website. - If you'd like to get some exercise and learn a little Franklin County history, the Walking Series will stroll German Village this evening at 5:30pm, and will tour New Albany Thursday (June 7th). Visit their website for more information.
- This Friday, June 1st, is the first Pearl Alley Farmer's Market. I'll be there, hopefully buying some strawberries but at least having lunch at El Arepazo!
- Of course, I'll be sure to see you this Saturday at one of the Farmer's Markets - North Market, Clintonville, or Worthington.
- There are concerts this Sunday, June 3rd on the Worthington Green (161 and High Street, old Worthington, click call 431-0329 for more information) and at the Park of Roses (3923 N. High Street in Clintonville, click or call 262-2790 for more information) ; both take place at 7pm.
- How does a 850 mile yard sale sound? Yeah, I'm tired just thinking about it, too. Nonetheless, thousands of people turn out each year for the world's largest garage sale (I'm not looking it up, but I have to assume...actually, there's a longer one - ); the National Road Yard Sale, which takes place every year along route 40 from Baltimore to St. Louis; it's already begun - shop now through June 3rd. Click here for more information on where to shop in Ohio.
- I love Shakespeare in the park! Every year, Husband and I say we're going to go, and every year we manage to not make it. I think the last time we went was for A Midsummer Night's Dream, and we were still in high school. This summer features quite a lineup, and for the next few weeks, you can enjoy the Actors Theatre Group's "The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)." I've heard this is a really funny presentation, so I really hope to get there this year. Maybe I'll pack some sort of fabulous picnic and tell you all about it. Shows are this weekend (tonight, May 31st through Sunday, June 3rd) and June 21st - July 8th; Thursdays through Sundays at 8pm in Schiller Park (in the heart of German Village). Best of all? Admission is free!
- This weekend is the season finale of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra season, until the fun but hot Picnic with the Pops series begins. The concerts feature clarinetist Richard Stoltzman playing Rossini, Mozart, and Sibelius; conducting will be CSO's own Junichi Hirokami. Shows take place Friday, June 1st and Saturday June 2nd at the Ohio Theatre (on of my favorite places in the city). Click to buy tickets.
- Don't you want to see some good movies every once in awhile? At least something surprising and unusual? The Wexner Center (15th ave at High St, OSU campus) is featuring Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul's latest, "Syndromes and a Century" this weekend (Friday & Saturday) at 7pm. Alas, I can never go to these events, but it sounds great. Click here for more Wexner Center events.
- This Saturday is, of course, the Gallery Hop in the Short North. Weather should be fantastic. While I remain cautiously optimistic, this Gallery Hop will feature something we haven't seen in years: fully lit arches!!
- This sounds interesting: go for a romantic canoe trip down the Hocking River, by moonlight. Enjoy a bonfire, wine, and marshmallow roast at the end of the 2 hour trip.
- This weekend is the Franklinton Art yard sale. Support local artists and get some inexpensive art! 894 W. Broad Street. Call 275-4988 for more information.
This week's list features loads of great events. Of course, this doesn't even begin to cover all of the events going on in Columbus this week; next week I'm going to try to have my list out earlier, so that you can plan earlier in the week. Get out there and have some fun! And don't forget to tip your waitress! She can't attend any of these events because she'll be working!
