Mad-Cow Town Forum

The Wilds Sunset Safari

Editor — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:55:22 +0000

We recently visited The Wilds in southeast Ohio to experience their Sunset Safari Tour. The tour included a surprisingly good meal taken on the deck overlooking the hills. In the distance we could just make out some giraffes and deer. Once the meal was complete, we boarded 3 open-air buses that provided a bumpy ride over the unpaved roads that criss-crossed the 14 square miles of reclaimed strip mining land where The Wilds is located.
Entering the double fenced areas was a little bit like entering Jurassic Park, but once inside the area fencing for the most part was non-visible except for a few areas such as where the predatory animals were contained. Although the big cats were docile, the pack of wild dogs were not. I was glad there was plenty of fencing between myself and them. They did have signs posted around these areas stating:

Do not stand, sit, climb or lean on fences. If you fall, animals could eat you and that might make them sick. Thank you.

Although the sun set before the tour was complete and we didn’t get good looks at the zebra, bison and camels we came across, it was well worth the price of admission. Except for the predators, we were able to get very close to the hundreds of animals, although we remained in the tour bus. The advantage of the sunset safari tour is that it is conducted late in the day when it’s feeding time for most of the animals. That meant they were much closer to the road, and plainly, more visible.

The following is a video of that Saturday afternoon in early September:

2008 Oktoberfest in Columbus Ohio

Editor — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:44:16 +0000

We recently posted a new video of the German Village Oktoberfest recently held at Genoa Park in Columbus Ohio. The new location gave visitors and vendors a somewhat broader expanse at the new location. This video is also hosted on YouTube.com.

Dublin’s Irish Festival

Editor — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:35:35 +0000

Dublin’s Irish Festival 2008

Columbus Clippers and Cleveland Indians Team Up

Editor — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:43:24 +0000

When the Columbus Clippers take the field next spring at the new $55 million Huntington Park, they will be the main farm team for the Cleveland Indians. The Indians announced today that a 4-year deal between Columbus and Cleveland had been signed and are looking forward to the synergistic benefits by having their farm team just down the road.

Cleveland recently ended their association with the Buffalo Bisons AAA team that had existed since 1995, and Columbus’ association with the Washington Nationals also ended this season. Ever since the Clippers broke with the Yankees, there has been less than rousing support for Washington. But now with the Indians, it will be great for both clubs and the fans– well, Cincinnati Reds’ fans may not be all that excited about the deal.

Arts Festival at Genoa Park in Columbus

Editor — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:26:25 +0000

What had been called the Goodale Park Art Festival that first started in 2006, has been moved from Goodale Park to Genoa Park in downtown Columbus along the west side of the Scioto River at COSI. The Riverfront Art Festival will be held this weekend and will feature 150 artisans, plus a number of entertainment options. WaterFire will also be lit up on the river. Admission is FREE.

Friday: 5 - 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Power coming back slowly in Columbus

Editor — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:18:32 +0000

The power companies serving Central Ohio are making progress against the massive power outages that occured last weekend. Having lived here through a number of natural calamities, this is the first time that I can recall anything this massive happening in such beautiful weather. It’s hard to imagine, that even as the trees were falling all about us, the sun was shining in a brilliant blue sky throughout the devastation.

Power on my home street is half-and-half. Fortunately for us, we are on the powered side, which is poetic justic, because in previous years, when there would be a power outage, our side was always the side without power. In recent years, AEP took on a vigorous tree-trimming program that made a number of residents extremely upset with the results. Imagine what we might have been facing had they not been so agressive.

Prior to this tree-trimming implementation, our side of the street was without electricity 8 or 9 times a year for extended periods. These frequent outages so frustrated my neighbor, that he installed one of those big backup generators. I never thought much about it except when it would go through its weekly testing cycle, but when that thing kicked on Sunday afternoon, it never stopped for four days. Imagine having a semi truck idling in your backyard for 4 days. That’s what it was like.

It was a blessing when all the lights came on in the house, and things started humming again. It was also a blessing that the semi-truck finally pulled out of my backyard.

Via Colori 2008 in Columbus

Editor — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 20:09:01 +0000

Via Colori at Goodale Park in Victorian Village / Short North in Columbus Ohio is the site for this weekend’s Viva Colori, a celebration of creative expression where the chalk hits the road. Hundreds of artisans put on their best down on Goodale Blvd and Park Street. This annual event helps raise thousands of dollar each year for a number of worthy causes.

The weather on Saturday afternoon was hot and humid, with the threat of rain that could wash away everything, but that still didn’t stop the artisans of all ages and skill levels from getting started on this unique event.

Via Colori is a continuation of a centuries old Italian street painting festival. The event is run by volunteers, and volunteer artists that paint designated sponsor squares. The event is free for visitors, and runs through Sunday.

On Saturday, it closes with a street party that runs until 11:00 PM. On Sunday, it closes at 7:00 PM. Keep your fingers crossed with the weather.