I spent some time at the courthouse this month. It's a pretty worn building that could use some…read moreaesthetic updates like the entry doors and flooring. The staff was nice though and helped me navigate when I got lost. There's a LOT going in there! People were everywhere but things seem to run pretty smoothly.

After living in Columbus for about 8 years, I was finally summoned for jury duty, here at the…read moreFranklin County Municipal Court. I got a letter in the mail about a month in advance that included very detailed instructions, everything from how to get there and where to park, to what to wear and how much I'd get paid ($25 a day). When the day officially arrived, it was pretty easy to report. Everyone was really friendly and helpful. They've done really good work in regards to making the process as painless as possible. Everyone from security to the parking attendants made me feel like I was a VIP. Everyone knew I was there to fulfill my civic duty thanks to the badges we were asked to wear. A few other tidbits... The cafe was solid with a lot of food options and the view of the city up there was beautiful. I had no problem at all with the wifi and was able to get some work done while I was there. They kept the room we were in stocked with free water and coffee and played movies all day long. They even had guest speakers come in and talk to us about the court process. While I didn't end up getting selected to serve on a jury, it was really cool to see the inner workings of things. Whenever I get summoned again, I won't be as disgruntled about it now that I know what to expect.

This is a smallish municipal park with a player area, but what was really important to us is that…read moreit's an excellent place for a put-in for kayaking the Big Walnut Creek. Just north of here there is a low-head dam currently situated on the Creek. so we needed to avoid that structure, and selected this park as a starting point. there is a nice boat ramp, and although there have been quite a bit of rain the water level had receded overnight, so we had to walk the boats out to the center of the creek. After a little scooting around we were on our way. This is a great launching point, and it made for a great float of about 1-1/2 to 2 hours into downtown Gahanna. Our kayak takeout was Friendship Park, just south of the Creekside area, but you can read all about that and another one of my reviews.

Searching for parks on a hot day, for Baby K to play at, we went to half a dozen. We needed one…read morethat was not busy (at least, not crowded with kids at the playground), that had some shade on the playground so she didn't burn her legs on the slides, and where Dada didn't have to walk far from the parking lot. We got all that here, and so much more. There is a fair-sized playground with several slides, climbing areas, swings, etc. And: an obstacle course with logs, tunnels, little houses to play in, and more. Wow. Plus it's a great park otherwise: shade, plus green space, a shelter with bathrooms, tables, a rain garden, places to fish by a big pond, paths, basketball courts and playing fields, and more. Beautifully laid out, full of fun, we will definitely be back.

This is probably the one place in the courthouse you actually wouldn't mind being in. It's actually…read morenicely decorated. :)

Went back to get marriage abstracts (certified proof, for insurance, etc.) Once again, no wait…read more Once again, friendly and helpful service. This time I remembered to take metal stuff out of my pockets, so breezed through security. It's so nice to have pleasant, efficient experiences at government offices. I set aside far more time for this than I needed to, so when things went smoothly I had time for other errands.

Visiting, and the library was suggested to take our little one to get out of the heat. The library…read moreis big. Lots of large rooms. One has books, CDs, tapes, and DVDs. The adult books are upstairs. We found the play area. At 5 p.m. only a few children were there and they left. So I recommend to come later. Nice trucks, blocks, magnet toys and play tables are available. Book shelves surround the area. Was nice to see disinfectant wipes around for use. A tree house in another room was a hit. We had heard of a water area, but did not see it. We liked the artwork and stained glass. We were surprised that none of the librarians welcomed us, or asked to help. We didn't ask either. We just followed the signs. Suggest someone check the cleanliness of the restrooms regularly. Patrons were not tidy this day. We will return.

The Westerville Library is amazing when it comes to their kid's area. I've been to several in the…read moresurrounding areas and nothing compares to Westerville. Clean toys and play space, friendly and helpful staff, and plenty of room for littles to burn some energy. I've also spent time in the adult quiet reading area, and I love it. Definitely recommend!

Came for the playground, and it is worth a visit. Smallish, but interesting, with benches for…read moreparents, shade trees, etc. Parking not too far away. Walking trail along the edge. One shelter, one ballfield, one basketball court, maybe a soccer field. A small pool. I don't know; again, a little disappointed in Pataskala's parks. This is nice, but other suburbs have much better parks, and I was thinking this was their main one. Don't get me wrong, we had fun, and there is enough here to keep you busy.

Here to thank Mayor for the one month moratorium on cities water, sewer, and trash cost to it's…read moreresidents!! Mayor Kirk has done nothing but great things since her election.

Review for the playground only!…read more Came on a beautiful spring day, after school. Lots of kids on the playground- but it's so big it wasn't crowded. There are two playsets, one for smaller kids and one bigger. Plus, other areas: climbing stuff, music, swings, exercise equipment, etc. Loads to do. Only a few benches for tired adults, but that's the norm at schools. Beautifully kept grounds and equipment. Parking is not very close. Baby K loved it and we will be back.

I had a good first impression of this k-5th grade school. My kin moved to the area for the school…read moresystem. There was plenty of crossing guards to handle the heavy foot traffic. The principal stood out front with the teachers, greeting the wee, to not so wee, ones. It had a very welcoming atmosphere.

We found Astronaut Grove while exploring near Alum Creek Park North. There's a paved pathway that…read moreruns underneath the bridge that was busy with traffic, so it was both a nice easy way to get across, as well as more relaxing, as it travels alongside the creek. Astronaut Grove has some nice green space, benches, and trees. The centerpiece is a sculpture, Reach for the Stars, designed by Kenneth S. Foltz, and a series of stars at the base of trees and plants that are dedicated to the astronauts of the Challenger. It's a very nice memorial. There is a parking lot available.

Astronaut Grove is a small park in Uptown Westerville hidden. It's located along Park Road across…read morefrom another park. There isn't too much to see. It has a big sculpture in the middle. There's a few paths and some green spac It doesn't seem like all that much at first. It has a small parking lot, but there's usually plenty of spots. They have a good amount of benches and walking paths, so it's easy to get to from other parts of Uptown Westerville. It's next to Alum Creek, so it has some natural beauty. The main interesting thing about it is the statue. It's dedicated to the astronauts from the Challenger space shuttle who all died. There's a few monuments dedicated to each of them. It may be hard to see if you have never been to it. It's on Park Road to the east of Cleveland Avenue. The park is great if you want to enjoy outside as well as if you want history lessons.

Much nicer than the Ohio Statehouse…read more Must see if you love great architecture. Must see if you are a fan of artwork. Must see if you love history. Must see if you're a lawyer. Do pick up a map in the lobby on the ground floor; the maps were not near the entrance or security. Do visit the law library on the top floor. Peek into all the open rooms on the ground floor. Some have very special artwork. This building was closed on the weekend; visit on a weekday. Pay for parking in a nearby parking garage.

"Education and Morality Constitute the Force and Majesty of Free Government"…read more This phrase is carved into one of the sitting areas out front of the building, and it is a message that resonates thematically in the rest of the space itself. One of the three bastions of our democratic society, embodied in stone and marble, gilded brass and pigments of every shade. The outside facade is what people are most familiar with, especially after it's 2003 restoration for the relocation of the state court apparatus to this location. Inside, however, is where the building shines as a pseudo-shrine to justice and the proud legacy of the interpretation of law for the betterment of society. For those who have never stepped inside before, take note that this is the people's house, and through tours offered by the building trust and local municipal groups, you can visit whenever you want to learn more about it's structure and history as a place of prominence in the evolution of downtown Columbus and the State of Ohio itself. Morever, hearings are open to the public as well. Simply put, you don't need to be obliged to view the historic innards of the building, nor should you be impeded from visiting as a citizen. It's a wonderful historical testimony to our evolution as a frontier backwater into the industrialized contemporaneous member of Union, replete with metal visages of our dignitary justices stretching back to foundation. Give it a visit and experience something rare in this current climate of divisiveness and derision: pride, if only at the capability of taking the idea of justice and liberty and giving it some measure of tangible form.