A Pearl Market Welcome
Pearl Market welcomes a new Market Manager, Dustin Speakman, who took the "tomato" from outgoing manager, Adam Scroeder. Speakman will be hard at work getting ready for Pearl Market's opening on June 2. The Market runs each Tuesday and Friday through October 13. Click here to read more.

Downtown's favorite farm and merchant market returns to Pearl and Lynn alleys for another summer of deliciousness and fun. Mark your calendars and come see what's new from a rich mix of merchants offering locally grown produce, hand-crafted merchandise and delicious food. The market runs each Tuesday and Friday, 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. through October 13.

If you can't stop by to get your fix, new this year, Allofeed is delivering from Pearl Market to your home or office. Download the Allofeed mobile app and get the freshest, most sustainable, and local food from Pearl Market delivered to you. You can either join the Allofeed CSA, which allows you to choose your food by category, and they will source it from vendors at the market that best match your preferences. Or sign up for a sampling from your favorite vendor at the market. Customers are only charged for food that is delivered. So, if you end up finding the time to go to the farmers market, you can cancel your distribution for that week simply by toggling "off" the date with a tap of a button. There's no fee or commitment when you sign up for either option and you can cancel as often as you want. A delivery fee does apply. Click here for more information and to download the app. 

Panhandling Survey
Capital Crossroads and Discovery SIDs want to know what you think about panhandling downtown. Please take a couple minutes to complete this survey. http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07ee6agyyzj2q8ww43/start

Capital Crossroads Business Membership: Heartland Bank
Thank you to the Capital Crossroads Business Members for their continued support of Capital Crossroads SID. To learn more about the Business Membership program, contact Michelle Chippas at MLChippas@sidservices.com. 

Q&A with Daniel Miller of Heartland Bank

How long has Heartland Bank been downtown?
We opened our downtown branch in 2006. In 2014, the bank moved to its current location at High and State streets.

What's your favorite downtown event?
Columbus Arts Festival

Share your favorite place to grab coffee.
Capitol Cup at the Shops on Capitol Square with their convenient location, Columbus Crew atmosphere and delicious hot Crimson Cup coffee.

Name your favorite downtown dining spot.
Market 65 - Friday Breakfast Burritos!

Do you have a place to go downtown to unwind?
The Scioto Mile is hands down one of the best green spaces in the city.

Downtown ColumbUS Video
Some of you have likely seen the Downtown ColumbUS video that hit Facebook. There are two other videos available, one on working downtown here and one on living downtown here. While Capital Crossroads and Discovery SIDs are in a unique position to focus on downtown promotions, downtown is everyone's neighborhood, and the videos may be useful in all kinds of marketing. Please feel free to use the videos in whatever way you may find useful.

If you haven't already "liked" Downtown Columbus on Facebook, you can do so here: https://www.facebook.com/downtowncolumbus/ Please consider sharing the videos on your own social platforms.

The From Book to Film outdoor summer movie series returns Topiary Park on June 17 with a showing of Jurassic Park. Food trucks will be on hand, and there's free popcorn while supplies last. Click here to learn more about the series.

MORPC Commuter Challenge Starts June 1
Just how much does that car in the garage cost you each year? Even if you own an old beater, there's insurance and maintenance, and gas adds up. None of this takes in to account the headache of driving in rush hour or the cost on the environment. But giving up a car? Man, that can be scary. What about just testing the waters (okay, roads and sidewalks) for just a month by using other forms of transportation? And what if we told you, it's a game and you get the chance to win weekly and monthly prizes? Click here to learn more about MakeYourMilesMatter.com. 

Columbus Metropolitan Library Summer Reading Club
The CML annual Summer Reading Club kicks off on Saturday, June 3 with a brand new online program. Participants can sign up and track their reading progress from home, as well as earn badges and prizes, play fun games and learn valuable tips to help early readers. Visit http://columbuslibrary.org/summerreadingclub for more information. 

Yoga@CMA
Thursday nights, 6 - 7 p.m. (Yoga), 7 - 7:30 p.m. (Meditation)
Columbus Museum of Art
Join CMA and Replenish: the Spa Co-Op for Thursday night yoga and meditation in the galleries. Gallery location rotates weekly. Cost of yoga is donation-based and supports efforts by Replenish to ensure that all people have a space to do yoga. All are welcome and no registration requested. 

Discounted Zoo Admission from COTA and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the Central Transit Authority (COTA) are offering COTA's Zoo Bus riders special savings on Zoo admission this summer. Riders will receive Columbus Zoo admission for $3 and Zoombezi Bay admission for $10 per person. Zoo Bus fares are only $2 each way. Weekend and Holiday Zoo Bus service runs Saturday, May 6-Monday, September 4. The Zoo Bus operates Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Weekday service runs Tuesday, May 30-Friday, September 1.

Zoo Bus riders should ask the bus operator for a transfer/coupon. Discounted admission will be provided when Zoo Bus riders present the transfer/coupon at the Zoo's admission windows. The discount is not valid with other offers. Zoo Bus riders can board at the Statehouse Downtown stop (located on High Street between State Street and Broad Street) or leave their cars at the Griggs Dam Park & Ride (located at Riverside Drive & Nottingham Road). 

COTA Summer Youth Passes Now on Sale
COTA is offering Summer Youth Passes to local youth for just $62. The passes allow for unlimited rides for youth 17 or younger on all COTA lines, excluding Mainstream service, from June 1 through August 31. That is a savings of more than $120. To purchase a pass, either bring a proof of age ID to COTA Pass Sales, 33 N. High St., Monday - Friday between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. starting on May 15. Or mail a written request, with proof of age ID and a check made out to COTA to COTA Pass Sales, 33 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43215. Only one pass will be issued per person. There is a $0.75 upcharge for each ride on Rush Hour lines. http://www.cota.com/summeryouth

Cultural Arts Center Seeks Volunteers for the 2017 Arts Festival
Join the Cultural Arts Center team this June during the Arts Festival. Each year the Columbus Arts Festival creates a weekend like no other in downtown Columbus, full of music, food, fun and amazing art. Each year the Cultural Art Center opens its doors to thousands of festival goers. It takes a lot of hands to make sure things run smoothly on that busy weekend. If you are interested in volunteering, click here.

Columbus Commons Fitness Classes
Get your fitness with no contracts and no excuses. These free fitness classes make it easy to exercise all summer long. Just sign a waiver, and you can participate in any fitness class throughout the season. Session one runs through June 10 and session two runs August 1 - September 30. Click here for more information and the full list of classes.

RideSolutions Rebranded as Gohio Commute
RideSolutions was rebranded as Gohio Commute. Gohio Commute will offer free services to individuals and organizations seeking to find a smarter way to commute. Within the new platform, users will be able to more easily find carpool and vanpool partners, explore transit routes, and find bike routes with the highest levels of comfort. RideSolutions members will receive an email requesting that you create a new password for your account. Users who wish to participate in the Central Ohio Commuter Challenge will need to activate their accounts on the Gohio Commute platform. If you have any questions, please contact gohio@morpc.org. 

Columbus Cultural Arts Center
June 1, Columbus Recreation and Parks Children's Art: "Kaleidoscope: Keep Kids Creative in Columbus"
June 8, No Conversations & Coffee due to preparations for the Arts Festival

June 15, Ele Ruman-Allen, Artist, Intaglio Prints (Drypoint), "Moments Near the Farm"
http://www.culturalartscenteronline.org/

 
FRUIT: An Exhibition of Themed Variety
Now through June 4
Opening Reception, May 11, 6 - 9 p.m.
Blockfort Gallery
Five female artists all make work around a central subject, using a variety of styles and mediums. Featured artists include: Feminist photographer, Kate Sweeney; Superpop-flash-craft illustrator, Jesi Rodgers; Imaginative material artist, Dana Lynn Harper; Realist still-life and landscape painter, Holly Leonard; and Alternative fashion designer, Janus Koziuk. http://blockfortcolumbus.com/

Exhibit: Ingrained
Now through June 8
Reception and Artist's Talk, June 8, 5 - 7 p.m.
OSU Urban Arts Space, City Center Gallery
With Ingrained, Cleveland-based artist Paula Izydorek creates a series of abstract paintings with interwoven linear planes to express her interest in environmental effects on one's biochemistry. http://uas.osu.edu

Exhibit: Bodies @ Work: The Art of Ruben and Isabel Toledo
Now through June 18
Columbus Museum of Art
This unique exhibition reveals the creative collaboration of fashion designer Isabel Toledo and artist Ruben Toledo. The artists will transform the Geraldine Schottenstein Gallery into an evocative installation that tells the story of their lifelong partnership in art, design and life, which springs from the complex interplay of two individuals, two aesthetics and the push and pull of their distinctive, yet complementary visions and energy. http://columbusmuseum.org

Featuring work by John Cage, Charles Csuri, Lutz Dammbeck, Isla Hansen, Ken Rinaldo, Lillian Schwartz, Stan VanDerBeek, and Amy Youngs, along with research into the restoration of works by Chris Burden and Ken Goldberg. http://uas.osu.edu 

Food Truck Food Court
Thursdays through October 26, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Columbus Commons
Come enjoy 10 of the best food trucks in town. Enjoy eight staple trucks who will be there every single week: Giant Eagle Market District, Cupzilla, Angry Weiner, Mikey's Late Night Slice, Kinetic, Paddy Wagon, Pitabilities and Mya's Fried Chicken, plus two special guest trucks, which rotate monthly. http://columbuscommons.org/happenings/food-truck-food-court/

June 2, 1:45 - 2:25 p.m.

OSU Urban Arts Space

Urban Arts Space and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation partner to offer tours of the Lazarus Building rooftop gardens the first Friday of the month from May through October. The tour begins inside Urban Arts Space, where guests will be guided through the current exhibitions and learn about the many green aspects of the gallery. The tour concludes with a trip up to the beautiful green roof with Lazarus Building Manager Robert Turrin. If you have a group of 10 people or more, you may request a special tour by emailing uastoursrsvp@gmail.com. Tour attendees must register here.

Rhythm on the River: The Blind Boys of Alabama and MojoFlo
June 2, 7:30 p.m.
The five-time Grammy Award winning musicians, The Blind Boys of Alabama, uphold the rare distinction of being both world-wide legends and modern day innovators. Singing together since their childhood at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Deaf in the late 1930s, the unique gospel group trail-blazed through the 20th and 21st century creating their own style of gospel sound. MojoFlo was voted by both Columbus Monthly and (614) Magazine as "Best Band" (2016). They deliver a bewitching performance that manages to not only incorporate roots in funk, rock and jazz but introduces a sound that transcends traditional musical boundaries. Smoldering vocalist and natural performer Amber Knicole sings amongst screaming horns and a hard hitting rhythm section - focal points of the group's larger-than-life sound. http://www.sciotomile.com/events-calendar/rhythm-on-the-river/

Exhibit: Melancholia
June 3 - July 22
Opening Reception: June 3, 6 - 8 p.m.
Angela Meleca Gallery
Angela Meleca Gallery will present Melancholia, Sean Foley's first solo exhibition in the gallery. This is the first time in twenty years Foley has had a solo show Columbus. His new body of work explores concepts of melancholy that arose while Foley was researching wonder, and began to see the two as related and opposite. http://www.angelamelecagallery.com/melancholia

 
African-American Cultural Festival
June 3, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
King-Lincoln District
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, with support from the Department of Neighborhoods, presents the African-American Cultural Festival. The event features live performances from local artists and celebrates freedom and equal rights through opportunities to experience the rich history of the African-American culture. In addition to the performances on the American Electric Power Stage, festival-goers will enjoy KidsZone fun, community and wellness resources, food vendors and an educational walk along the Long Street Cultural Wall--a landmark exploring the history of the Near East Side of Columbus. The festival is open to all with free admission. http://columbus.gov/AACF/

Library Summer Reading Club
Starts June 3
Columbus Metropolitan Library kicks off its annual Summer Reading Club on Saturday, June 3 with a brand new online program. Participants can sign up and track their reading progress from home, as well as earn badges and prizes, play fun games and learn valuable tips to help early readers. http://columbuslibrary.readsquared.com/ComingSoon.aspx

Wednesdays@2: Ohio Plein Air and the Joy of Outdoor Painting
June 7, 2 p.m.
Columbus Museum of Art
Hear members of the The Ohio Plein Air Society, an organization of artists and art lovers who share a common interest in painting outdoors ("en plein air"), discuss the CMA exhibition showcasing their work, on view at CMA until June 18. Tickets are available here.

Thurber House Summer Literary Picnic: Thurberville
June 7
Thurber House
The Summer Literary Picnics feature readings with authors who have an Ohio connection. Thurberville will feature Bob Hunter, Columbus Dispatch sports columnist, who will explore Thurber's wild version of Columbus, a city full of fascinating and peculiar characters, often in James' own family. Thurberville chronicles these people, and examines the real city that raised Thurber before sending him off to achieve international fame. For more information and tickets, click here.

Vintage "Base Ball" 
June 8, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse, West Plaza
Reminiscent of barnstorming tours of yesteryear, the match begins at 5:30 p.m., as the Capitol Cannons challenge the Ohio Village Muffins in an exhibition game of vintage "base ball" (originally two words.) The event is free and open to the public. Celebrate the Ohio Statehouse and take a step back to the 1800's as the Ohio Village Historical Muffins battle members of the Ohio General Assembly on the west lawn of Capitol Square. Bring your lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the hour-long old-time base ball game. After the base ball game, stay and enjoy a cannon firing demonstration. Come early to choose your spot as concessions will be available. The 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A will provide cannon fire demonstrations as part of the event. http://ohiostatehouse.org

 
The Columbus Arts Festival 
June 9 - 11
Downtown Columbus Riverfront
The Columbus Arts Festival returns to the downtown riverfront for a 56th year of bringing the best in fine art and fine craft to Columbus,. The Festival has been rated by AmericanStyle and Sunshine Artist magazines as one of the top festivals in the nation and each year hosts hundreds of juried artists from across the United States, as well as several international artists. Performance stages featuring music, dance, theater and spoken word can be found throughout the festival, and hands-on arts activities, work by local artist collectives and a wide selection of quality food and beverages round out Columbus' favorite outdoor summer event. https://www.columbusartsfestival.org/

June 10, 11 - 11:30 a.m. (story time), noon - 1 p.m. (concert), 1 - 2 p.m. (art activity)

Topiary Park

June 10, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

OSU Urban Arts S[ace

June 15, 11 a.m.

Columbus Main Library

June 18, noon - 3 p.m.

Ohio Statehouse

Ohio is known as the "Cradle of Presidents." With eight men elected to the American Presidency, Ohio claims the most presidents. Join us for this family-friendly celebration of all dads, including the fathers of the United States who called Ohio home. This event is free and open to the public. http://ohiostatehouse.org 

June 18, 2 p.m. (seating begins at 1 p.m.)

Columbus Museum of Art

Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) is continuing its new author series with Dan Chaon (pronounced "Shawn"). He is the author of three short story collections and two novels. His most recent novel is Ill Will; other works include Stay Awake, the national bestseller Await Your Reply and Among the Missing. Tickets are free, but registration is required at columbuslibrary.org/special-events. Registration is now open. 

 
Want more Event info?
For a comprehensive listing of events, visit Experience Columbus at
http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/events/

Pure Pressed Announces New Grab-n-Go Menu Items
194 S. High St.
Following Memorial Day, Pure Pressed will be launching various new menu items including salads, sandwiches (including new panini pressed), smoothies, and more. They encourage everyone to stop in and give them a try, and feel free to ask for a sample. http://purepressedjuicery.com

 
#Thirstythursday Happy Hour
Every Thursday, 5 - 7 p.m.
Hills Market Downtown
Stop by their growler station and grab a pint of local draft beer (or glass of wine) and all you can eat from the hot bar feature of the week for just $10. Additional pints are just $4. http://hillsmarket.com/downtown

 
$15 Fridays June
June 2, 6 - 8 p.m.
Hills Market Downtown
Celebrate summer with picnic fare, light and fresh white wines, summery reds and summer beers. Fifteen dollars gets you 10 samples of beer and wine and plenty of snacks. Make sure you get your tickets ahead of time, because the ticket prices will go up to $20 per person at the door. You can get tickets here. http://hillsmarket.com/downtown

 
Poke Bros.
100 E. Gay St.
This new fast casual concept offers build-your-own poke bowls with fresh, wholesome ingredients. Bowls feature cubed-cut raw fish mixed in a bowl with rice, vegetables and flavorful toppings. It's like sushi in a bowl. Vegetarian options are also available. Read more about the concept here. https://pokebrostogo.com/

Veranico
401 N. Front St.
A second venture of Market 65 owners Anthony Micheli and Patrick Katzenmeyer, Veranico offers fast casual meals with a healthy twist in the Arena District. You'll find made-to-order salads, sandwiches, brain bowls, wraps, paninis, and from-scratch cookies and protein bars from Holly Schomberg. The evening menu adds flatbreads, local beers and wine. Scheduled hours are 10:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Elia Athenian Grill
20 N. High St.
614.706.4273
Check out this fantastic new spot, offering authentic Greek street food including gyros and souvlakia in chicken, pork, vegetarian and bifteki. Their meats are not processed and do not have any hormones, MSG or GMOs. They are open 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and hope to also add breakfast and dinner service. https://www.facebook.com/eliaatheniangrill/

Buckeye Bourbon House
36 E. Gay St.
614.456.2020
The new Buckeye Bourbon House is now open on Gay St. Stop in for your choice of more than 40 bourbon choices, bourbon cocktails, bourbon beer and more. You can also find a variety of craft beers and wines, plus small plates. https://www.facebook.com/BuckeyeBourbonHouse/

Every Saturday, 1 - 3 p.m.
Hills Market Downtown
Head to Hills for the best deal in town. Enjoy four samples of wines chosen by Hills' wine director for just $1. http://hillsmarket.com/downtown