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Mortgage interest rates have increased for the seventh consecutive week, according to Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate reached 4.40 percent — the highest since April of 2014.

According to the survey:

  • The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 4.40 percent, up from 4.38 percent the previous week. A year ago at this time, this rate averaged 4.16 percent.
  • The average rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage was 3.85 percent, up from 3.84 percent the week prior. This rate averaged 3.37 percent at the same time last year.
  • The average rate for a five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage was 3.65 percent, up from 3.63 percent. A year ago, this rate averaged 3.16 percent.

Freddie Mac deputy chief economist Len Kiefer says the steady increases in mortgage interest rates is expected to continue as the Federal Reserve increases short-term rates.

“Mortgage rates have followed U.S. Treasurys higher in anticipation of higher rates of inflation and further monetary tightening by the Federal Reserve,” Kiefer said in a press release. “Following the close of our survey, the release of the FOMC minutes for February 21, 2018 sent the 10-year Treasury above 2.9 percent.”

“If those increases stick, we will likely see mortgage rates continue to trend higher,” he added.

The Allied Works Architecture-designed National Veterans Memorial & Museum(NVMM) is rapidly rising on the shore of the Scioto River in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is on track to open in July 2018.

Allied Works’s design for the two-story, 53,000-square-foot memorial museum, a circular building with a glass curtain wall ensconced in a spiraling concrete superstructure, is the result of a closed 2013 design competition that included David Chipperfield and Diller Scofidio + Renfro. The winning scheme includes a ramp that wraps around the edge of the building and up to a rooftop “sanctuary” plaza, while large concrete arches crisscrosses the museum’s exterior to symbolically elevate the sanctuary. The sanctuary will be exclusively for ceremonies, events, and reflection, and from renderings, it looks like the rooftop plaza will include amphitheater seating and look out into museum’s exhibition space.

Inside, the museum’s programming will similarly follow the building’s curves, with exhibition galleries arranged in a ring. A double-height great hall will greet visitors at the entrance, while two floors of permanent exhibition space will be arranged in a central ring and provide access to the sanctuary from inside. “Thematic alcoves” will be scattered throughout the museum, each meant to evoke a specific emotion and relay the challenges faced by veterans.

Landscape architect OLIN will be handling the surrounding greenery and have designed a memorial grove in the middle of a circular path near the museum. The grove will also contain a stone wall with a reflecting pool at the base.

The museum’s development, design, and construction were led by the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC). The group is also managing the exhibition curation, as well as raising approximately $80 million for the project.  The NVMM, which claims to be the first national veterans museum, has set its sights on being part museum and part memorial, with veteran narratives being placed front and center. With only 1 percent of the population currently serving in the military, the museum’s mission is to expose guests, who may not personally know a veteran, to the stories of servicemen and women, while also stimulating conversations around what it means to serve. While originally planned as the Ohio Veteran’s Museum, the scope was drastically expanded to include the stories of veterans from across the country, and from every branch and conflict. In November 2017, the House passed a bill officially designating the museum a national site, capping a years-long push by the NVMM for federal recognition.

In 2017, the top picks ranged from grand mountain chateaus to modest suburban homes – and even a spooky listing that went viral. Whether they earned 283 favorites in South Dakota or 7,290 favorites in California, these homes all have their selling points.

So what’s the most favorited home in your state? Scroll down to find out!

Alabama

598 favorites
6605 Cedarwood Ct, Mobile, AL
Our favorite features: old-growth trees, a newly remodeled kitchen

Photo from Zillow listing.

Alaska

572 favorites
L53A Whiskey Lake, AK
Why we adore this home: remote location, rustic wood interior

Photo from Zillow listing.

Arizona

2,736 favorites
976 S Wanda Dr, Gilbert, AZ

Simple pleasures: a large backyard with no neighbors in sight

Photo from Zillow listing.

Arkansas

717 favorites
16240 Kostner Dr, Rogers, AR

Reason to adore this home: movie theater with built-in projector

Photo from Zillow listing.

California

7,290 favorites
924 Bel Air Rd, Los Angeles, CA

The wow factor: private helipad, two fully-stocked wine cellars

Photo from Zillow listing.

Colorado

2,507 favorites
600 Chateau V, Evergreen, CO

Fun fact: modeled after the famous Biltmore Mansion in North Carolina

Photo from Zillow listing.

Connecticut

1,058 favorites
163 Creamery Rd, Durham, CT

Selling points: expansive windows, surrounded by nature

Photo from Zillow listing.

Delaware

604 favorites
24908 Crooked Stick Way #4333, Long Neck, DE

Selling points: dog park within walking distance, solar panels on the roof

Photo from Zillow listing.

Florida

2,038 favorites
11112 Ancient Futures Dr, Tampa, FL
Reasons to call it home: arched doorways, high ceilings, hardwood floors

Photo from Zillow listing.

Georgia

3,056 favorites
1055 Ada Ave NW, Atlanta, GA

What we love about it: bright hardwood floors

Photo from Zillow listing.

Hawaii

1,546 favorites
72 S Kalaheo Ave, Kailua, HI

Where we’d rather be: this home’s poolside bar or cabana

Photo from Zillow listing.

Idaho

728 favorites
8602 W High Ridge Ln, Eagle, ID
Eye-catching feature: a bright red front door

Photo from Zillow listing.

Illinois

1,897 favorites
1932 N Burling St, Chicago, IL
Windy City wow: 25,000 square feet in the heart of downtown

Photo from Zillow listing.

Indiana

1,383 favorites
New Edition Floor Plan, Harrison Lakes, Fort Wayne, IN

What’s warming our hearts: the fire pit and covered patio

Photo from Zillow listing.

Iowa

603 favorites
2209 E 9th St, Des Moines, IA

Things to ogle: historic character, leaded glass windows

Photo from Zillow listing.

Kansas

652 favorites
11613 Barton St, Overland Park, KS

Things we love: vaulted ceilings, covered deck

Photo from Zillow listing.

Kentucky

832 favorites
324 Wilson Downing Rd, Lexington, KY

Why we love it: newly remodeled with hardwood floors throughout

Photo from Zillow listing.

Louisiana

672 favorites
1448 4th St, New Orleans, LA
Fun fact: film location for a few movies

Photo from Zillow listing.

Maine

933 favorites
35 Seafarer Cv, Whiting, ME

Standout features: private dock, fireplace

Photo from Zillow listing.

Maryland

2,751 favorites
Lincoln Dr LOT 1, Jessup, MD

Why we’re mad about this MD home: 5 large bedrooms on a large lot

Photo from Zillow listing.

Massachusetts

1,235 favorites
22 Old Colony Avenue, Pembroke, MA

Selling points: historic home with modern upgrades, access to a nearby pond

Photo from Zillow listing.

Michigan

1,045 favorites
20 Peppers Trl, Montague, MI

This listing had us at: “tree house on the shores of Lake Michigan”

Photo by Roger Wade Studio.

Minnesota

1,827 favorites
Haverhill Apartments, 32 Spruce Pl, Minneapolis, MN

The draw: restored brownstone walking distance to downtown

Photo from Zillow listing.

Mississippi

543 favorites
706 W Pine St, Hattiesburg, MS

Why we love it: old-world charm, modern upgrades, a small backyard pond

Photo from Zillow listing.

Missouri

1,067 favorites
597 Harper Ave, Saint Louis, MO

Reasons we fell in love: 100+ years old, located by a park and golf course

Photo by Jason Fry.

Montana

1,191 favorites
Montana’s Shelter Is, Rollins, MT
The obvious reason we love it: private-island castle

Photo from Zillow listing.

Nebraska

634 favorites
2114 S 46th St, Omaha, NE

Reason to ‘heart’ this Heartland home: 19th-century charm

Photo from Zillow listing.

Nevada

3,611 favorites
1033 Tabor Hill Ave, Henderson, NV

Favorite feature: private backyard pool for hot desert days

Photo from Zillow listing.

New Hampshire

956 favorites
3 S Main St, Newton, NH

Why we adore it: fully remodeled in 2012

Photo from Zillow listing.

New Jersey

1,298 favorites
18 Frick Dr, Alpine, NJ

Selling point: less than 10 miles from New York City

Photo from Zillow listing.

New Mexico

562 favorites
5724 Fairfax Dr NW, Albuquerque, NM

Reason we love it: upgraded kitchen with a subway-tile backsplash

Photo from Zillow listing.

New York

1,769 favorites
635 W 42nd St #45th Floor, New York, NY

Why we love this Big Apple beauty: breathtaking river views

Photo from Zillow listing.

North Carolina

1,620 favorites
196 Bayview Dr, Stumpy Point, NC

Why we love it: historic home in a wildlife refuge

Photo from Zillow listing.

North Dakota

339 favorites
5039 Elm Tree Rd, Kindred, ND

Things to ogle: not one but two sunrooms

Photo from Zillow listing.

Ohio

1,001 favorites
3903 Saint Lawrence Ave, Cincinnati, OH

What we love: historic Victorian with six fireplaces

Photo from Zillow listing.

Oklahoma

971 favorites
707 Martin Cir, Sand Springs, OK

Why this OK home is more than okay: views of Tulsa from every floor – even the basement

Photo from Zillow listing.

Oregon

1,529 favorites
1135 SW Coast Ave, Lincoln City, OR

Why we adore this home in a word: oceanfront

Photo from Zillow listing.

Pennsylvania

1,227 favorites
122 Squirrel Rd, Buck Hill Falls, PA

Reasons to ‘heart’ this home: historic log and stone structure, beautiful views

Photo from Zillow listing.

Rhode Island

611 favorites
252 Thatcher St, Rumford, RI

Fun fact: overlooks a country club

Photo from Zillow listing.

South Carolina

1,259 favorites
709 Michaelmas Ave, Cayce, SC
Why we’ve seen this home before: viral status

Photo from Zillow listing.

South Dakota

283 favorites
2613 S Van Eps Ave, Sioux Falls, SD

Fun feature: wood-paneled accent wall

Photo from Zillow listing.

Tennessee

1,436 favorites
2325 Golf Club Ln, Nashville, TN

Reason to sing about this Music City home: private recording studio

Photo from Zillow listing.

Texas

4,459 favorites
10711 Strait Ln, Dallas, TX

Proof everything is bigger in Texas: 10 bedrooms, a bowling alley inside

Photo from Zillow listing.

Utah

796 favorites
1886 S Geneva Rd, Orem, UT

Luxury feature: motocross course

Photo from Zillow listing.

Vermont

706 favorites
1796 Cheney Rd, Lowell, VT

Reason to break out the maple syrup: classic log cabin on 20 wooded acres

Photo from Zillow listing.

Virginia

1,912 favorites
2975 Desert Rd, Suffolk, VA

Why we love it: giant front yard for recreation, private sauna for relaxation

Photo from Zillow listing.

Washington

2,651 favorites
935 Deerbrush Dr SE, Olympia, WA

Our favorite feature: yellow front door

Photo from Zillow listing.

Washington, D.C.

1,184 favorites
3030 Chain Bridge Rd NW, Washington, DC

Why it caught our attention: timeless exterior, modern interior

Photo from Zillow listing.

West Virginia

755 favorites
1103 Juliana St, Parkersburg, WV

Why we love it: century-old columns

Photo from Zillow listing.

Wisconsin

887 favorites
743 N 25th St, Milwaukee, WI

What we love: classic Queen Anne-style with a cupola

Photo from Zillow listing.

Wyoming

391 favorites
2005 S Crescent H Rd, Wilson, WY

Why we keep staring: floor-to-ceiling glass walls you can slide open

Photo by Josh Franer.

Top featured image by Roger Wade Studio.

The 12 Hottest Restaurants in Columbus

Where to find everything from Nashville-style hot chicken to traditional Tibetan momo

Hot Chicken Takeover
 Facebook

The people of Columbus are loving homey Filipino cooking (Bonifacio), traditional Tibetan momo (Momo Ghar), and refined Mexican cuisine (Cosecha Cocina). For drinks, they’re flocking to a Wes Anderson-inspired speakeasy, the first American outpost of a Scotland-based brewery (Brew Dog Dog Tap), and a bar that doubles as an “adult playground” (Pins Mechanical Company).

1 The Light of Seven Matchsticks

Discreetly tucked away in the basement of Worthington coal-fired pizza and live-music joint Natalie’s is boxcar-sized speakeasy the Light of Seven Matchsticks. It’s got all the whimsy of the Wes Anderson film from which it takes its name (the title of a fictional book in Moonrise Kingdom): dim lighting, green velvet booths, 1920s music, and secret cocktail menus hidden (always on page 166) in leather-bound library books. If seats are scarce, write your order on a book checkout card, slip your drink order into the mail slot next to the bar, knock twice, and wait for your drink to arrive.

5601 N High St
Worthington, OH 43085
(614) 436-2625

2 Momo Ghar

Even though Momo Ghar recently hit the one-year mark, it would be wrong not to include it. This no-frills food stand inside Saraga International Grocery on the Northeast Side (where some of the city’s best Asian eateries can be found) remains one of the most talked-about restaurants in town — a destination for from-scratch Nepali and Tibetan homestyle food. Diners cram into its five counter seats with a view of the open kitchen for traditional Nepalese momos, like jhol, doughy steamed dumplings filled with ground chicken and cilantro in a gently spiced broth.

1265 Morse Rd
Columbus, OH 43229
(614) 749-2901

3 Hot Chicken Takeover

Hot Chicken Takeover came from humble beginnings. It started as a takeout window on the near East Side with a single picnic table and a convivial owner, Joe DeLoss, who wanted two things: to make great Nashville-style fried chicken and to create a social enterprise that would give workers seen as unemployable by others a second chance. Now a food truck and a food stand inside the North Market, Hot Chicken Takeover has its first standalone restaurant in Clintonville, where diners can enjoy all the free sweet tea they can drink alongside fiery Nashville-style fried chicken, mac and cheese, and banana pudding.

4203 N High St
Columbus, OH 43214
(614) 754-1151

4 Flowers & Bread

Popular Clintonville cooking school Seasoned Farmhouse now has its own restaurant with an educational bent. Picture-perfect pastries, freshly baked breads, and espresso attract a morning rush. A rotating selection of soups, sandwiches, and salads sate loyal regulars at lunchtime. And those who want to learn a few tricks of the trade can sign up for regular bread-baking and floral-arranging classes.

3870 N High St
Columbus, OH 43214
(614) 262-5400

5 Trism

From local restaurant group A&R Creative comes a spinoff of their popular juice and acai bowl eatery, Alchemy. Inspired by an open-air courtyard, the 6,500-square-foot Trism is billed as a transformative space on High Street at the heart of Ohio State’s campus. By day, it’s a fast-casual eatery with healthy and hearty fare created by Alchemy’s nutritionist, Alexis Joseph, including bowls, superfood pop-tarts, and vegan doughnuts. At night, there’s a full bar with cold-pressed juice cocktails.

1636 N High St
Columbus, OH 43201

6 Watershed Kitchen & Bar

Longtime Columbus restaurant critic G.A. Benton touted Watershed Distillery’s Grandview restaurant as one of the best to open in the city in years. He’s not the only one enamored of the refined-rustic cooking of executive chef Jack Moore (formerly of the Greenhouse Tavern and Black Pig in Cleveland). Reservations are highly encouraged at this American eatery built off the front of the distillery in an industrial park. Ignore its humble surroundings. Inside, Watershed Kitchen & Bar is cavernously cool, with black walls, a copper-shelved bar, and the stainless steel stills of the distillery gleaming through a wall of windows.

1145 Chesapeake Ave
Columbus, OH 43212
(614) 357-1936

7 Bonifacio

Pinoy food has finally arrived in Columbus. Located in a former Tim Hortons in Grandview, Bonifacio offers the bright flavors of the Philippines with the soul of a home-cooked meal. The recipes come from restaurant owner Krizzia Yanga’s mom, a native of Mindanao, who spent years cooking in the northern and southern regions of the Philippines. Traditional communal-style dinners, known as kamayan, are a local favorite.

1577 King Ave
Columbus, OH 43212
(614) 914-8115

8 Standard Hall

A former Short North dive bar is now a buzzy, brick-walled tavern that pleases all the hip crowds, including patiogoers who want to quaff a cold one on outdoor beer hall-style tables, the sports crowd looking to catch the MLS game, and brunchers who want to start their day with a 32-ounce mimosa. Standard Hall’s menu offers slightly innovative bar-food favorites, like tacos, poutine, and hot chicken.

1100 N High St
Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 381-1112

9 Cosecha Cocina

Owned by Chris Crader, one of the city’s top restaurateurs (Harvest Pizzeria, the Sycamore), Cosecha Cocina looks to fill the refined Mexican void in Italian Village. From inside an airy, rehabbed brick barn, hearty stews like pozole made with heritage pork, fresh salsas served with Shagbark chips, and tacos on corn tortillas made from scratch in the kitchen star on the menu. A no-reservations policy can mean long wait times in the evenings. Bide your time with a mezcal cocktail (or two) at the bar.

987 N 4th St
Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 369-1129

10 Pins Mechanical Company

Located off of Fourth Street in downtown Columbus, Pins Mechanical Company is corner bar meets adult playground. It’s got an industrial vibe with old-school locker room flair and packs in imbibers for cold craft beers, cocktail pitchers, rotating food trucks (typically one on each of its two patios), and entertainment, including ping-pong, duckpin bowling, pinball, and four-square tournaments.

141 N 4th St
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 464-2255

11 Rockmill Tavern

Prohibition left the Brewery District neighborhood brewery-less until Rockmill Tavern, the sister restaurant to a Lancaster-based Belgian brewery with the same name, came along last year. Named best new restaurant in 2016 by Columbus Monthly magazine, Rockmill Tavern is sophisticated and rustic (three barns’ worth of wood covers nearly every inch of the two-story space). And its elevated American fare, painstakingly crafted by lauded chef Andrew Smith, is prepared with ingredients from nearby farms. Food and drink get equal billing on the modest menu — every item comes with an optional beer pairing.

503 S Front St
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 732-4364

12 BrewDog DogTap

It was big news when Scotland-based BrewDog chose Columbus suburb Canal Winchester as the home of its American brewery operations. The sprawling 100,000-square-foot brewery also houses a 300-seat bar and restaurant, DogTap, which draws beer lovers for its signature Punk IPAs, standard bar fare, and a dog-friendly atmosphere.

96 Gender Rd
Canal Winchester, OH 43110
(614) 908-3051

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5 Reasons Your First Home Should Be A Duplex

You can live in one side of a duplex and use the other side as a rental property, an office, or a guesthouse.

When most people think about buying their first home, three options typically come to mind: single-family home, townhouse, or condo. But there’s a fourth option to consider: a duplex home. Owning a duplex in Columbus, OH has certain perks, like getting you into homeownership with some mortgage and tax advantages. Plus, if you rent out one side, renters can help pay that mortgage. Here’s five reasons why duplexes may be the hot new home type.

  1. 1. You get tax benefits

    You might already know that you get a tax write-off when you buy a home — you can deduct the mortgage interest you pay. If you buy a duplex and live in one side, you can write off only that side. But if you rent out the other side, there are additional write-offs. “You can write off all of the costs that take place on your Schedule E form,” says David Hryck, a New York, NY, tax lawyer and personal finance expert. “These could be fees accrued to rent the place out or even manage the property. All are completely tax-deductible.” But wait … there’s more. “The same would apply to any type of repair made to the rented half of the duplex as well as the unit’s utility bill,” Hryck says. “If you share expenses such as internet with your tenant, you can also write those off.”

  2. 2. There are mortgage advantages

    Mortgage lenders typically classify properties into owner occupied and non-owner occupied, and they tend to give more favorable interest rates to people buying a property they will live in. With a duplex, “A mortgage company considers the two units as one property,” says Lucas Hall, head of industry relations for Cozy.co and founder of Landlordology. “And you can qualify for a lower interest rate if you occupy one of the units.” If you plan to rent out the other side, you might also qualify for a larger mortgage. “Many lenders will allow you to include part of the potential rent into your income when qualifying for a mortgage,” says Eric Bowlin, a Massachusetts real estate investor. “This may allow you to qualify for more than you otherwise may have received.”

  3. 3. You learn the landlord business

    Being a landlord is a great side business and can provide a way to earn passive income. But there’s a lot to learn, such as how landlord-tenant laws work in your state, how to customize a lease, how to make sure you actually collect rent, and how to screen potential tenants. An excellent way to get started is by buying a duplex, living on one side, and renting out the other. Why? You live close to your rental property. “You will see the place every day and see any repairs that need to be made,” says Joe Polyak, a Northern California agent. “You can keep a close watch on your tenants to make sure they aren’t doing anything illegal or destroying your home — without invading their privacy. If anything goes wrong, you are just next door.”

    Before you wade into the duplex and landlord business, however, there are some numbers to consider, such as researching what rents are going for in your area. Jimmy Moncrief, a real estate investor and founder of Real Estate Finance, gives this advice: “Make sure that when buying a duplex, if only one side is rented, the rent will be able to cover the principal and interest payments as well as the insurance and taxes.” And if it seems financially doable, there’s the undeniable advantage of OPM — other people’s money.

  4. 4. It has great potential as an Airbnb

    You can potentially earn more money renting the other side of your duplex through Airbnb or other vacation rental sites than you could by renting it on a traditional one-year lease. Why? Vacation rentalsare for short-term stays, so you can charge more. Vacation renters will also pay more for a full apartment than they would when renting a single room in your home. And with a duplex, you can offer the best of both worlds for renters: They get a full apartment with you available when needed, just as you would be when renting out a room in your home. But you need to make sure you can use your prospective duplex. “Airbnb is case by case,” says Scott Trench, vice president of operations at BiggerPockets.com. “Some areas, like San Francisco, have a very strict set of rules, and some areas are more relaxed. You’ll need to get familiar with your local laws.”

  5. 5. A duplex gives you more options

    If you don’t need to go into the office every day, a duplex could serve as the perfect work space … and you would beat all your friends when comparing commute times. You also could use the other side as a guesthouse when family or friends come to visit, which is a dream arrangement if you aren’t exactly the entertaining type. The other side of a duplex could also make a convenient place to house elderly parents who need someone checking on them daily — the parents get to remain independent, and everyone gets some privacy.

Columbus Restaurants open on Thanksgiving

Not everyone wants to/needs to/can spend 2 days preparing a Thanksgiving Feast.  If you’re looking to dine out (or carry out) your Thanksgiving meal, the following restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving Day around Columbus.  There are also many options for catered or carry-out Thanksgiving dinners towards the bottom.  Reservations are strongly recommended.  Please let me know if you are aware of any others!

Restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Columbus

The Berwick
3250 Refugee Rd.
614-235-7100 – reservations recommended
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 4:30p.m.
MEAL:  Buffet – See menu options here.
COST:  $27.50 for adults, $14 for ages 4 to 12, free for age 3 and younger)
TO GOCarry-Out Orders also available for Pick-Up on Thanksgiving Day, from full turkey dinner for 2-25 people, to sides, main dishes, and more in a variety of sizes

The Boat House Restaurant
679 W Spring St
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 469-0000
HOURS: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
MENU: Champagne Buffet with Breakfast Items, Roasted Turkey, Yankee Pot Roast, Sliced Ham and more all day! Plus, a Specialty Bloody Mary Bar.  See menu.
COST: Adult: $48.95/Child: $22.95
EXTRAS: Enjoy our Specialty Bloody Mary Bar all day, $4 Brunch Cocktails, and live entertainment.

Bob Evans
various locations
HOURS:  8 a.m. – 8 p.m. for dine in and carry out
MENU: Limited menu available after 11 a.m.
TO GO:  Farmhouse Feasts can be ordered online or by calling your local restaurant.

Boston Market
various locations
HOURS: varies, contact local store
MENU: Regular menu, plus Dine in/out Thanksgiving meal $10.99
TO GO: Holiday Meals – A la Carte options, Heat and Serve ($6-$18/person). You can even have fully-cooked, full Thanksgiving dinner or main dishes shipped to you frozen to just heat and serve.

Buca di Beppo
Reservations strongly recommended!
HOURS: 11am – 8pm
MEAL: Traditional Turkey Dinner – Sliced White Meat Turkey or Hickory-Smoked Ham • Homestyle Gravy • Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes • Spicy Italian Sausage Stuffing • Green Beans • Cranberry Sauce • Pumpkin Pie.  Traditional Italian dishes are available as well.
COST: Individual $20, Buca Small® $60, Buca Large® $120 Buca Small® feeds up to 3 • Buca Large® feeds up to 6
TO GO: Party Pans to Go, Thanksgiving to Go, and Catering are also available.

Champps Sports Bar
1827 Olentangy River Rd
Columbus, OH 43212-1496
HOURS:  11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
MENU: Standard menu
COST: menu pricing

China Dynasty
(At The Shops on Lane Avenue)
1689 West Lane Avenue
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Phone No: (614) 486-7126
HOURS:  12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
MENU: Thanksgiving Day Special Buffet – details not available for 2017.
COST: Adult: $26.99/Child: $12.99 (6-12yrs old) and free (5 and under) (pricing is from 2016)

Claddagh Irish Pub
585 S. Front St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 224-1560
HOURS:  11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
MENU:  Thanksgiving turkey & ham dinner special for $19.99, $3.99 for dessert
COST: $19.99

Columbus Fish Market
1245 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio 43212
HOURS: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
MENU: 3 Course Traditional Thanksgiving Meal; regular dinner menu available
COST: $28 for adults, $9 for children, or menu pricing
TO-GO: Full holiday meal available from $129-$249. Orders picked up on Nov 23 from 9-11 am.

Coopers Hawk Winery
4230 The Strand
Columbus, OH  43219
614.428.6999
HOURS:  Call for details
MENU: Traditional Thanksgiving Meal (see meal), plus regular menu.
COST: $27.99 for adults, $12.99 for children 12 and under

Cracker Barrel
(All locations)
HOURS:  11 a.m. – 10 p.m. (regular breakfast menu available from 6 a.m.)
MENU:  Regular menu, plus Thanksgiving Platter
COST: $11.99 Adult or $6.99 Child for platter (pricing from 2017)
TO GO: Hams and pies available for pickup, plus heat-n-serve and hot and ready meals for pick up

de Novo
150 S High St
Columbus, OH 43215
HOURS:  10 am – 3 pm for brunch, 5-9 pm for dinner
MENU:  Brunch buffet or dinner menu
COST: $39 Adult or $19 Child 5-12 for buffet.  Menu pricing for dinner

Golden Corral
HOURS: Varies per store
MENU: Endless Thanksgiving buffet.  Carved turkey or ham, sliced turkey, fried chicken, roast beef, meatloaf, and even steak and shrimp are featured, as well as more than a dozen side dishes
COST: varies per store

Granville Inn
314 E. Broadway
Granville OH 43023
740-587-3333 for reservations
HOURS: 11:30 am – 3 pm
MENU: Buffet including chilled foods, hot foods, and dessert
COST: $37.95 adults, $17.95 kids 5-12 (pricing from 2016, call for details)

Inn at Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills
21190 State Route 374
Logan, OH 43138
Ph. 800-653-2557
Email-info@innatcedarfalls.com
HOURS: Call for hours/reservations
MENU: 3 Course Thanksgiving Dinner – see menu
COST: $42/adults, $23/kids 12 and under

J Gilbert’s
1 E. Campus View Blvd
Columbus, Ohio 43235
Call 614.840.9090 for reservations
HOURS: Open 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
MEAL: Regular menu and Thanksgiving Day Three Course Menu
COST: $38 for adults, $19 for kids 12 and under

J. Liu Restaurant and Bar
6880 N. High St., Worthington (614-888-1818)
50 W. Bridge St., Dublin (614-718-1818)
HOURS: Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
MEAL: Thanksgiving Buffet
COST: Adults- $29.99, Kids ages 5 to 11- $18.99, Kids under 5- $5.00

Lindey’s
169 East Beck Street
Columbus, Ohio 43206
(614) 228-4343
HOURS: Open 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
MEAL: special Thanksgiving Menu (see menu)
COST: varies per menu

Matt the Millers
Dublin: 6725 Avery-Muirfield Dr., Dublin, Ohio 43016
614-799-9100
Grandview: 1400 Grandview Avenue, Columbus Ohio 43212
614-754-1026
Polaris: 1436 Gemini Place  Columbus, Ohio 43240
(614) 841-4430
HOURS: Open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
MEAL: Traditional Thanksgiving Buffet
COST: $31.95 adults, $11.95 kids ages 5-10, free for 3 and under per one paying adult (pricing from 2016)

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood 
3965 New Bond Street
Columbus, OH 43219
(614) 476-3663
HOURS: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
MENU: Roasted Turkey Dinner; dinner menu also available
COST: Contact location for pricing

Mimi’s Cafe
1428 Polaris Parkway
Columbus, OH 43240
(614) 433-0441
HOURS: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
MENU: Standard menu, plus traditional Thanksgiving Dine-In Meal beginning at 11 am on Thanksgiving Day. The quintessential three-course dinner
COST: Standard menu pricing; $18.99 for adults and $8.99 for kids for the Thanksgiving meal
TO-GO: Take Home heat and serve Turkey Dinner serves 8-10 for $99

Mitchell’s Steakhouse (2 locations)
1408 Polaris Parkway
Columbus, OH 43240
(614) 888-2467
45 North Third Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 621-2333
HOURS: Polaris, 12 – 8 p.m., Downtown, 2 – 8 p.m.
MENU: 4 Course Thanksgiving Meal, 3 Course Meal for Kids, or regular menu
COST: $42/adults, $20/kids

Nicola Restaurant and Bar
4740 Reed Rd.
Columbus, OH 43220
(614) 459-7000 – reservations required
HOURS: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
MENU: Special Thanksgiving menu
COST: menu pricing

Paul’s Fifth Avenue
1565 West Fifth Ave
Columbus Ohio
614.481.8848
DETAILS: A reader told me that they are open and also have carry-out meals, but I don’t have details at this time.

Smith & Wollensky
4145 The Strand West
Columbus, OH 43219
614-416-2400
HOURS: 12 pm to 8 pm
MENU: Traditional Thanksgiving Prix Fix Menu; regular menu available
COST: $55/person, $25/children under 12.  Regular menu will also be available.

Spagio
1295 Grandview Ave
Columbus, OH 43212
(614) 486-1114 ext. 1
HOURS: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
MENUSpecial Thanksgiving menu
COST: varies per menu

Ted’s Montana Grill
6195 Sawmill Road
Dublin, OH 43017
Phone: 614-760-7753
Easton Gateway
4169 Worth Avenue
Columbus, OH 43219
Phone: 614-337-1457
HOURS: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
MENU: Regular Menu plus Turkey Feast. See Available Menu.
COST: varies for menu, or $29 for Turkey Feast

Texas de Brazil
4040 Easton Station
Suite E 105
ColumbusOhio 43219
HOURS: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
MENU: Regular Menu

The Guild House
624 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614.280.9780
HOURS: Open from 6:30 am through dinner
MENU: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a prix fixe holiday menu
COST: Menu pricing; prix fixe menu $49 per person, $79 with wine pairings

Tucci’s
35 N. High Street
Dublin, OH 43017
(614) 792-3466
HOURS: Open from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
MENU: 3-course prix fixe menu featuring traditional favorites and Chef’s selections to choose from. Also offering a kids’ menu.
COST: $45 per person

Worthington Inn
649 High Street
Worthington, OH 43085
Phone: 614-885-2600 reservations required
HOURS: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
MENUThanksgiving Feast Buffet
COST: $41.95 adults, $19.95 for kids 4-12, free for 3 and under

 

CCAD Building New State of the Art Animation Center

The Columbus College of Art & Design is giving a big boost to its animation program. Representatives from the college unveiled plans today to construct a new $1.5 million facility inside the Design Studios on Broad building on the Downtown campus. The facility will be formally known as the Cloyd Family Animation Center, and will house both analog and digital drawing studios, a virtual reality drawing lab, a stop-motion classroom, and additional gallery, classroom and flex space.

“Animation is a growing industry here in Columbus and around the world,” stated Charlotte Belland, Chair of CCAD’s Animation program. “At the end of the day, animation is all about storytelling. But animators also need to know the latest industry-standard software.”

CLICK HERE to learn more about the future of CCAD in our new interview with President Melanie Corn.

Construction is expected to begin in March 2018, with the new center ready to open in Fall 2018. The center is getting its name from CCAD Board of Trustees member Gil Cloyd, who has made already pledged $300,000 to the project. Cloyd is a former CTO of Procter & Gamble, as well as the founder and CEO of the Ohio Film Group.

Animation has been a major at CCAD since 2008, with classes that date back to 1988. Currently, it is the second most popular major at the school.

Via Columbus Underground

Mortgage Rates are at a 4-Week Low

Mortgage Rates are at a 4-Week Low

Rates for home loans slid as the promise of sweeping tax reform increasingly came into question.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.90% during the November 9 week, down from 3.94%, mortgage financier Freddie Mac said Thursday. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.24%, down three basis points. The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 3.22%, down from 3.23% during the week.

Mortgage rate trendsmarketwatch.com

Bond prices have rebounded, nudging yields down, as Republicans’ promises to enact comprehensive tax reforms has met with stiff pushback from special interests. Mortgage rates track the U.S. 10-year Treasury note.

Investors also worry that the kind of sweeping tax overhaul Republicans have envisioned would spur inflation, making bonds that have already been issued worth less. The plan proposed by the House of Representatives would widen the deficit by $1.7 trillion over a decade, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday.

The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has averaged 4% so far throughout 2017, defying expectations for a breakout from long-time lows.

 

From Iceland’s volcanic heat harvesting to a Norwegian couple’s use of a giant glass dome for solar gain, colder climes seem to inspire new ways of warming up homes. And now, a pair of Russian entrepreneurs are experimenting with a futuristic way of not only heating homes, but making sweet cash in the process: bitcoin mining.

Bitcoin mining entails using a computer—or hundreds of computers—to validate transactions made with the cryptocurrency. All that computing generates a surprising amount of heat. While there’s been talk of harvesting the heat from large data centers, builders Ilya Frolov and Dmitry Tolmachyov wondered if they could use the same principle to heat private homes.

The pair built a simple 215-square-foot house in the Siberian town of Irkutsk and installed two bitcoin miners. The heat from these small computers warms up a liquid that’s then pumped through a sub-floor heating system. The cabin is essentially heated at a profit of $430 a month from processing transactions.

“People who mine cryptocurrencies use big miners. And they just heat the atmosphere,” said Dmitry Tolmachyov in a Quartz video, embedded below. “And we say, ‘No, the environment! We shouldn’t heat the atmosphere. We have a nine-month long heating season. We should heat our homes. The miners should not be concentrated in one place. They should be in various places, in private homes. The technology allows it nowadays.”

ViaQuartz

For anyone who missed their chance to experience magic that was the Ohio Chinese Lantern Festival last fall, good news! The festival will be returning to the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio Expo Center and Fairgrounds, beginning November 17th. The festival will be in town through January 7, 2018.

“We’re returning to Columbus because of the warm reception we received, as well as the city’s eagerness to experience other cultures,” says Allison Newell, Marketing Manager for Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. The festival has returned to other cities in the past, and the company was impressed by Columbus’ arts and culture scene.

Newell shared that there will be several new lanterns on display, and they plan to add more food options and performers. Favorite lanterns will make a reappearance.

The Ohio Chinese Lantern Festival saw attendance numbers of about 70,000. Tianyu Arts & Culture and Columbus Underground worked together last year to send all of the students of Hubbard Mastery School to the festival, providing an immersive cultural experience and add to the students’ Mandarin curriculum.

Take a look at what awaits and plan to go this fall!

Credit-ColumbusUnderground