Uptown Westerville is a Place to Check your Calendar

Meza, 48 N. State, will be closed Friday, October 16th and Saturday, October 17th.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Help Otterbein College Help the Community

This Friday, October 16th, join in the rivalry for a good cause for the Tan and Cardinal!

This year, Otterbein College and Capital University are taking their rivalry off the field by participating to see who can bring in the most blood donations during their inaugural Otterbein vs. Capital Blood Battle.

Donate to the cause from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. this Friday, in the Campus Center (100 W. Home).

For more information, visit Otterbein on facebook, click here.

By the way, Otterbein Homecoming Weekend, October 23rd - 25th is an Otterbein Uptown! Pennant Weekend. Otterbein hosts Capital in the homecoming game, Saturday, October 24th at Memorial Stadium. The community is invited to the game and admission is one canned good for local food banks. Help Otterbein Can Capital!!

Go Cards!

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Mad Science!

Mad Science!

Members of the Otterbein College chapter of the American Chemical Society will be performing cool experiments at the Madness Coloring Page Gallery at 46 N. State from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Kid-Friendly Booooooks!

We're looking forward to Midnight Madness Halloween Stories from Westerville Public Library's reader (at Amish Originals North Store, 38 N. State).

Westerville Public Library has a fun selection of not-too-much-boo kid-friendly Halloween tales to take home to read or enjoy live at the library on Saturday, October 17th. Join Miss Lisa at the Library at 11 a.m. for some Halloween flavored tales.

For more info, click here.

And, visit the Library Reader at Midnight Madness!

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Grab a Sweatshirt for the Market

It's a chilly Market Wednesday in Uptown Westerville! The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market will be open for business today from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The market meets rain or shine, but the weather reports currently indicate just cloudy and cool between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

For the complete market report, click here to visit the Market Blog.

While you're Uptown, stop by Meza, 48 N. State, for Meza's Market Wednesday $1 wine tastings and a host of unique ingredients and pantry foods to compliment your market purchases.

See you at the market!

Photo: Buckeye Buddies from Landrum Cottage at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market. ©2009 Brickstreet Communications. All rights reserved.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Deja Vu

You are cordially invited to visit Deja Vu, 11 N. State, on Friday, October 16th and Saturday, October 17th for the annual Open House Sale.

Friday Open House Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday Open House Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sale prices (discounts up to 25%) and refreshments!

Deja Vu is a shopping experience. One visit and you'll get that feeling that you'd like to come back again and again!

Visit Deja Vu online, click here.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Breakfast

Hot Dog! The Dog Joint, 59 S. State, starts serving breakfast on October 19th at 6:30 a.m.

Breakfast Hours are 6:30 a.m. thru 10:30 a.m.

Eggs, Breakfast Burritos, Omeletes, French Toast, Pancakes and a host of sides!!

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Fall Fireside Wines

Tatjana and Jason Brown of Meza, 48 N. State, share:

Just a reminder about some great events going on at Meza this week!

This Thursday, and every Thursday, we will be featuring 6 different wines from our shelves for your tasting enjoyment! We are extending our hours until 9 pm on Thursdays to give you even more opportunity to taste some great wines!

So stop in on Thursday between 11 am and 9 pm and taste each wine for $2, or all 6 wines for only $10!!

Fall Fireside Wines

Friday, October 9th from 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Friday we will be enjoying some great reds that are perfect to get you into the mood for fall!! $10 for 5 Wines

Lineup for Friday:
Charles & Charles Red Blend
Vinum Cellars 'Pets' Petit Sirah
Joel Gott Relative Finca
el Reposa Cabernet Sauvignon
Moo Buzz Pinot Noir

We will even be burning one of our new fall scents, "Campfire" from The Candle Lab to get in the true spirit!So stop by Meza this Thursday or Friday for some great wine tasting opportunities and a great way to end your busy work week!

Tatjana and Jason Brown
meza

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Serendipity

Debbie and Jeff Mitchell of Serendipity, 33 E. College, announce new hours starting October 12th....

Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday: : 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
(Open Mic Night, Sundays 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.)

Take a video tour of Serendipity from WOCC-TV.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Community Fun at Midnight Madness

There is a lot going on at Home and State during Midnight Madness!

Catch a ride in a Horse-drawn Hay Wagon! Amish Originals Furniture Co., Edward Jones Investments, and Suite 59 Hair Design present The Horse-drawn Hay Wagon Ride. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at N. Home and E. State behind Rotary Park.

Add to the local creative in the Community Pumpkin Display in Rotary Park.

Visit the Westerville Fire Division at N. State and E. Home.

Grab a brat and refreshments at the Sertoma Brat Wagon at N. State and E. Home.

And, at 9 p.m. check out the Pumpkin Drop hosted by 92.3 WCOL-FM's Woody Johnson of Woody and the Wake Up Call!!

See you at the Big Boo!

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Enjoy Wines at Meza

Wine Tastings are a way to learn a thing or two, savor tastes you may not have experienced before and just enjoy. Guaranteed you'll walk away with some great memories.

Meza, 48 N. State, is a delightful pantry and wine shop in Uptown Westerville. Share owners Tatjana and Jason Brown's enthusiasm for the good things in life that for just a little money bring friends and family together.

October 2009

Fall Fireside Wines: Friday, October 9 (6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) Nothing makes us want to settle in with a glass of red wine more than the crisp fall weather, sitting around a fire with friends. It doesn't get any better! Join us in tasting some unique boutique wines that are the perfect choice for fall weather. Cost is $10/person for 5 wines and light tapas!

Spooky Spirits Wine Tasting: Friday, October 23 (6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.; changed to FRIDAY) Hosting a Halloween gathering and looking for some great wine to take that will keep your friends talking - this is the tasting for you. We are tasting wines from R Winery (those kooky people that brought us 'Bitch' Grenache) along with some other wines that will get you into the Halloween spirit. Don't be fooled by the crazy labels - these are quality wines from some dynamic producers who happen to want their product to be fun at the same time.
Cost is $10/person for 5 wines and light tapas!

November 2009

German Wine Tasting: Friday, November 6 (6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) Germans are known for more than just great beers and Wiener Schnitzel! They have been producing wonderful wines for centuries! Thinking Riesling? Then you thought right! Come in for this great display of what Germany has to offer. Cost is $10/person for 5 wines and light tapas!

Best of Holiday Wine Tasting: Friday, November 13 (6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) Thinking about what wines to serve with your Thanksgiving and Holiday meals? No worries - let us help you plan! We will be tasting some of the best wines to serve over the Holiday season that will not break your budget! So get ready to drink wine, and be merry! Cost is $12/person for 5 wines and light tapas!

Ohio vs Michigan Wine Tasting: Friday, November 20 (6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) Let's settle it once and for all! We are putting wines from Ohio and Michigan up against each other in a blind tasting. You can come and be the judge as we pit these two arched rivals against each other!
Cost is $10/person for 5 wines and light tapas!

December 2009

Interesting Italians Wine Tasting: Friday, December 4 (6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) Looking for some off the beaten path Italian wines that are budget friendly and delicious? Love Barbera and want to try Ripasso? Stop by and taste some interesting Italian wines and get some ideas for traditional Italian food and wine pairing. Cost is $10/person for 5 wines and light tapas!

Chocolate and Wine Tasting: Friday, December 11 (6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) What is more festive, more decadent, than chocolate and wine? Treat yourself to something special! We will be pouring wines that pair back to chocolates from a wonderful local chocolate producer - The Chocolate Octopus! Cost is $10/person for 5 wines and chocolates

Champagne and Sparkling Tasting: Friday, December 18 (6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) Let's close out 2009 with a bang! We will pop some corks and taste some Champagnes and sparkling wines that will be perfect for your holiday celebrations! Cost is $12/person for 5 wines and light tapas!

Don't see a wine that you love on our shelves? Not a problem. We will gladly search out and find any of your favorite wines and can get them in for you within a week!So feel free to give us a call, shoot us an e mail and inquire about your favorite wine and we will gladly get it in for you.

Call us at 614.259.3101 or e mail us at vinomeza@gmail.com to inquire about wines.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Good Tastes

Tatjana and Jason Brown of Meza, 48 N. State, present the Meza Minute

You Don't Have to Wait for Friday Anymore.....

At meza, we are all about the wine.

We are wine drinkers first, shop owners second.

It's been said that if you find a job you really love, its not considered a job anymore.

It's about living your passion. And we are passionate about wine.

We buy our wine just like anyone else.

The first thing we notice is the label.

We all love the eye catching, clever labels but if the wine doesnt back it up with great flavor, then it's just smart marketing. And smart marketing doesnt go well with fish.

We taste every wine that we sell. Sometimes we taste them a number of times over.

Like I said, we love wine.

All that being said, now is your chance to live our dream with us.

Starting EVERY Thursday night, we will be pulling 6 different bottles from our shelves to taste. If you have ever seen a wine that youve wondered about, here is your opportunity to taste it before you buy.

You may be asking yourselves How does this differ from the regularly scheduled Friday night tastings, that are always fun and exciting?

The main difference is the selection. Our Friday tastings are themed around specific regions or varietals. For example 2 weeks ago we had an amazing Australian wine tasting. We had one of our knowledgeable vendors here, explaining different nuances about the specific wines. It was very educational and informative.

With the Thursday night tastings, its anything goes, in terms of selection. We might pull bottom shelf wines only. Theres nothing strange about these wines, they are just on the bottom shelves and people might not want to bend over, we might pit Rieslings against each other, Germany vs. Washington State we might do a price influenced blind taste test, seeing if people can really tell the difference between a $10 merlot vs. a $40 merlot.

The bottom line is that the fun element that Meza employs at all of its tasting will never change.

Come learn about some great tasting, amazing value wines in a relaxed, casual atmosphere.

All wines will be $2 a pour OR all 6 for $10!

And don't worry The Friday night tastings will be happening in addition to this 2 great opportunities to try new, exciting wines and hang with friends!!

New at Meza! NY Wines. We took the opportunity 2 weekends ago to head to the Finger Lakes region of NY for a getaway/wine buying trip. We did some winery hopping and tasting and found out a little bit about what that region has to offer. Dr. Frank Konstantin winery was actually nominated this year by Wine Enthusiast as one of the top new American wineries.

Heron Hill, our second stop, boosts one of the most beautiful views from their tasting room as it faces out over Keuka Lake. We are hoping to soon be carrying some selections from the Dr. Frank and Heron Hill wineries since so many of our customers have been asking for NY state wines.

Be on the lookout for these on our shelves!

Fall/Holiday Private Wine Tastings

So many of you ask whether or not we do private tastings or tastings for small groups. The answer is YES!! We offer a casual, relaxed atmosphere where you and your friends can get together for whatever occasion: book club, birthdays, girls night out, bunko night, or simply a gathering of friends or couples who love wine!We offer affordable wine tasting without a space rental fee - we can also provide cheese/fruit trays or you can bring in food from your favorite restaurant or cake for a celebration!

We encourage those of you who are considering Meza as a venue for your fall and holiday get togethers and parties to contact us by the end of September. We are booking up quickly! We can offer you a comfortable and casual venue where you can host friends, family and co workers or clients - let us do the planning! We can help you chose a theme for your wine tasting selection that is both fun and budget friendly! E mail us at vinomeza@gmail.com to secure your spot on our calendar!

Dates to Note. Meza will be closed on Friday October 16th and Saturday October 17th. I have the privilege of participating in the wedding of two of our wonderful friends, and we will be celebrating with them! Please call us or e mail us prior to those dates if you have any special orders that need to be filled and we will gladly get them in for you earlier in the week!

Tatjana and Jason Brown

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Brush Up at Midnight Madness

10.29 Update: D'oh! Our face painter has cancelled and our back up can't make it, so sadly, no face painting at this year's Midnight Madness.

A great way to do something special for Midnight Madness!

A Gal Named Cinda Lou presents Face Painting by Jeanne in front of Edward Jones Investments, 39 N. State from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Drop a Call to Help Animals at Midnight Madness

Coming Uptown for Midnight Madness on October 30th? Drop your old cell phones off at DJ’s Feed Store, 41 N. State, to benefit Capital Area Humane Society.

DJ's will also be hosting greyhounds from Central Ohio Greyhound Rescue. Stop by and enjoy a greyhound encounter!

Special thanks to Amy Taylor and Rocky!

(Remember to remove the sim card from your phone. If you need help ask Dave Chapman at DJ’s when you drop the phone off and he can help!)

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Cigar Connoisseurs

Uptown Cigar Company, 33 N. State, has some smokin' events coming up this month, including their 2nd Anniversary!

October 24th, 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m
Uptown Cigar Second Anniversary Party
Live Music 6:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m with Replay Columbus

October 28th, 5:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m
Wild Women & Westerville Businesswomen Wander Westerville

October 30th, 7:00 p.m - Midnight
Midnight Madness

Stop in to visit with Roy and Mike today.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for the Midnight Madness Classic Chiller!

Amish Originals Furniture Co. and Edward Jones Investments present The 1st Annual Midnight Madness Classic Chiller Movie, October 30th at 10 p.m. at The Old Bag of Nails Pub, 24 N. State.

Join us for a special showing of Alfred Hitchcock's classic psychological chiller Psycho starring Janet Leigh and Tony Perkins on the 3rd floor of The Old Bag of Nails Pub.

Admission is Free! Ticket access only to the 3rd Floor. Pick up tickets at the customer service desk on October 30th after 7 p.m. at Amish Originals Furniture Co., 8 N. State. (Limit 2 tickets per person. Seating is limited (100 seats) and for folks who are 18-years-old and over.)

Special Feature! Enjoy the movie and help the community at the same time! Buy a raffle ticket for a $1 donation and you become eligible to watch the Midnight Madness Classic Chiller Movie from The Best Seat in the House. The winning ticket holder and their guest, will be watching the film from two well-placed comfy, stylish recliners provided by Amish Originals Furniture Co. Every cent from the raffle goes to the Westerville Area Resource Ministry and Uptown Westerville Farmers’ Market WARM Fresh Green Program. WARM Fresh Green provides vouchers to folks in need so everyone has the opportunity to buy fresh, healthy produce and artisan foods from the market. Thank you!

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Some Cozy Wine Tasting

Meza, 48 N. State, is featuring a Fall Fireside Wines Tasting this Friday, October 9th from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tatjana and Jason Brown say... Nothing makes us want to settle in with a glass of red wine more than the crisp fall weather, sitting around a fire with friends. It doesn't get any better! Join us in tasting some unique boutique wines that are the perfect choice for fall weather.

Cost is $10 for 5 wines. Contact Tatjana Brown at vinomeza@gmail.com or call 614.264.7244.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Buy Local

Uptown Westerville's 350 Project support and Outside Envy's Kriss Rogers gets a mention in Business Journalism's blog: Your Daily Tipsheet in a posting by Melissa Preddy:

Sep 24, 2009

Covering retail tactics along Main Street

Chain store closings, like the recent demise of Circuit City and Starbucks’ coffee-shop contraction, make national headlines. But small shops and eateries, with fewer resources and lower profiles, are even more likely to suffer in a recession. Their plight, going into the ever-crucial fourth quarter retailing season, is well worth a second look.

If you cover an area with a venerable shopping district or small biz cluster, consider planning a standing feature to run from early October to year-end, with a weekly check-in, multimedia (interactive maps, interviews, behind-the-scenes video) and other elements that chronicle the season as it unfolds.

A growing angle: “Shop local” campaigns sponsored by business associations, chambers of commerce and other stakeholders. The marketing spins prompt area residents to head to neighborhood shops instead of chain stores to support the local economy.

One such effort getting a lot of attention this year is called the 3/50 Project.

It’s a simple premise: Participants ask residents to pick three locally owned businesses and spend $50 a month in them. Campaign organizers claim that if half of American shoppers did so, local merchants would benefit by more than $42 billion.

Kriss Rogers is president of the Uptown Merchants Association in Westerville, Ohio, which features a quaint maze of 19th Century storefronts north of Columbus. She started displaying 3/50 signage at her garden-themed gift shop, Outdoor Envy, last spring. A few months ago, she started signing up other local storekeepers and says the community is responding. “I would say one out of three customers will read it and comment in a positive way,” said Rogers. “Lately they’ll come in and say ‘I thought I’d see if you have what I wanted before going to the mall.”

The 3/50 Project site lists retail participants by state; for other initiatives in your area dig around or contact the Chamber of Commerce. Some noteworthy efforts nationwide:

• “Keep Louisville Weird” in Louisville, Ky. http://www.keeplouisvilleweird.com/

• Baltimore’s neighborhoods ran a “Miracle on Main Streets” campaign last year. http://www.miracleonmainstreets.com/

• Hancock County, Miss. plans again this year to run its “Holiday at Home” http://www.hancockchamber.org/HolidayCampaign/HolidayGoodCheer1.asp campaign urging residents to shop and dine at grass roots businesses this fall and Christmas season.

Other things to keep in mind: Neighborhood and downtown districts this year will try to gin up resident interest with festivals, special shopping events, sidewalk sales and other promotions – dig into the cost/benefit dilemma merchants face when being asked to sponsor these community relations events. And be on the lookout for innovations.

Rogers says her association has issued a gift card good at 16 local shops, to compete with the convenience of universal mall gift cards. Other cities issue scrip or vouchers good at local stores. Round out your story with analyst commentary and statistics.

For nationwide perspective, try the Main Street center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. The center’s site also features its State of Main Street 2009 report.

Many of the campaigns claim that dollars spent locally benefit the community with a “multiplier effect,” meaning they are recycled through the local economy in the form of wages and spending by the area merchants, compared to cash that is whisked into corporate coffers. Many of the citations regarding the multiplier effect are vague; I’d suggest checking for real-life data from a consulting firm such as

Civic Economics, which does nationwide studies out of offices in Chicago and Austin, Texas.For data, explore the

U.S. Census Bureau’s retail portal. Among other things, it’s got a ZIP-code searchable database of business establishments by type and size; that will give you a look at how local shops are dwindling or multiplying. Census Bureau analyst can help you mine the data further.

Uptown Westerville Merchants support the 3/50 Project. Uptown Westerville's small business owners are our neighbors and friends! The Westerville Uptown Merchants Association encourages folks to buy local and Shop Uptown Westerville. Visit Kriss at Outside Envy, 15 N. State in Uptown Westerville, a Place for Small Business, a Place for People.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Women's Self Defense

Smart self-defense begins in the mind. Smart self-defense comes from the confidence of empowerment.

Remembering 3 Simple Rules that could save you in an attack:

1. React Immediately
2. Resist
3. Crime scene two is ALWAYS worse than crime scene one

The Westerville Police Division is hosting the final 2009 women's self-defense classes on October 13th and 14th and the Westerville South High School 2nd floor Media Center, 303 S. Otterbein.

You can reduce victimization through informed decision making and sensible action.

According to FBI Statistics, men experience 49,000 violent victimizations in an average year. Women are victims of violent crimes 572,000 times per year.

The Westerville Division of Police recognizes the need to educate women in our community in an effort to reduce their risk of becoming victims. The Division’s self-defense instructors, developed a course designed to teach adult women, young and old, physical or not, simple, effective defensive skills.

For more info or to register, contact Carrie Ryan with the Westerville Police Division, carrie.ryan@westerville.org or call 614.901.6860

Class size is limited to 20 participants. A waiting list will be maintained for available openings. If registration has been filled for your choice class, and you would like to be put on the waiting list for the next available opening.

(Juveniles are limited to age 14 years of age or older and must attend class with their parent.)

Because of the high demand of this class, there is a $25.00 refundable deposit (one check per person) to hold your spot, which will be returned to you on the second night of class. If you cancel prior to 48 hours of the scheduled class time, your check will be returned to you. If you cancel within 48 hours of the class, your deposit will be donated to support other programs within the police division.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Hay Wagons

Amish Originals Furniture Co., Edward Jones Investments and Suite 59 Hair Design present the Midnight Madness Horse-drawn Hay Wagons.

Big Boo fun for kids of all ages! Take a horse-drawn trip, not only through Uptown Westerville but through one of the oldest neighborhoods in Westerville, past “the Old Vine Street School” (Emerson), Hanby Park, Frank Museum, City Hall Courtyard, and through Uptown Westerville.

Hay Wagons will roll October 30th from 7 p.m. til 8:30 p.m. from Rotary Park at N. State & E. Home.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for National Recognition

Congratulations to Nadine Morris at Atattooed, 16 S. State!

Atattooed is the Shop of the Month in the December 2009 issue of Pain Magazine, the buyer's guide for body modification professionals.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Outdoor Furniture Values

Amish Originals Furniture Co., 8 & 38 N. State, is featuring the remainder of its in-stock 2009 Amish-crafted outdoor furniture at 30% off.

Click here for some great tips on prepping your outdoor furniture for cold weather storage.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for the Midnight Madness Black Catwalk Costume Contest

That's right. For Midnight Madness on October 30th, we are talking some major Halloween Vogue, so work that walk! Walk the runway in style in the City Hall Courtyard.

Winners are Best of: Kid, Teen, Adult, Family, and Dog.

Prizes for Each Category: A $25 Uptown Gift Card & Framed Certificate.

Special thanks to Captivating Canines for sponsoring the best Dog category!

Enter the contest (free) by registering from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Judges’ Table in the City Hall Courtyard.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Share Cultures

The Amish Originals Furniture Co., 8 & 38 N State, blog features two new entries from Miriam's Journal.

Click here to read more.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Color Creative at Midnight Madness

Color a Midnight Madness Coloring Page!

Click here to download the Midnight Madness Pumpkins.

Click here to download the Midnight Madness Cat.

Or stop at the Westerville Public Library to pick one up (supply limited).

Get creative, color, and decorate. Color both if you'd like!

Drop your completed coloring page off at the Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State, by October 26, 2009 and we’ll hang your art in Uptown Westerville during Midnight Madness, including the coloring page gallery at 46 N. State!

(When you find your coloring page, you can take it home with you when you leave Uptown Westerville. Otherwise, we’ll be recycling.)

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Jack O'Lanterns

Dairy Queen, 84 S. State, presents The Midnight Madness Community Pumpkin Display, Friday Oct. 30th.

Dig in deep and find your inner Boo! Carve or Decorate a Halloween pumpkin for all to see at the Community Pumpkin Display.

First ($25 Uptown Gift Card), Second ($15 Uptown Gift Card), and Third Prize ($10 Uptown Gift Card)!

Bring your pumpkin to Rotary Park (N. State and E. Home) between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on October 30th.

When you are looking to purchase a Halloween pumpkin keep Uptown Westerville in mind. The Boy Scouts Troop 560 are selling pumpkins at E. Walnut & S. State and there are plenty of pumpkins at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

(You need not be present to win. If you’d like to keep your pumpkin, please pick it up after 8:45 p.m. Pumpkins not picked up will become compost.)

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Be Home for the Holidays

Save the Date for Saturday, November 28, 2009, noon to 8 p.m., as the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association presents Home for the Holidays, a hometown shopping event.

Whether you live here now or have come home for Thanksgiving, Westerville is your hometown.

Enjoy Thanksgiving, brave the Friday holiday shopping, and before you connect online, spend your Saturday in Uptown Westerville.

Merchant specials, the Uptown Gift Card, good eats, an ice sculptor, a holiday window reveal, Santa, an evening horse-drawn carriage ride, and more!

Click here to visit Home for the Holidays online.

Follow Home for the Holidays on twitter: uptownholidays.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Beggar's Night

Westerville's Beggar's Night is Saturday, October 31, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Be Spooktacular

Legend has it that the last Friday of each October, Uptown Westerville Merchants, become spellbound by Halloween, creating an enchanting evening filled with tantalizing treats, horse-drawn hay wagon rides, surprising special effects & features, and one-night-only Halloween deals.

It’s a night when super heroes, princesses, monsters, faeries, lions, and stormtroopers stroll throughout Uptown Westerville among the shopkeepers and citizens.

Did you know... there used to be a cemetery where Uptown Strings is located? The rather haunting legend and lore about the 3rd floor of The Old Bag of Nails Pub? Or that bats and owls fly and roost about Uptown Westerville after dark?

Midnight Madness showcases Uptown Westerville Merchants -- it’s a fun opportunity to browse, visit, and buy. This is the night to shop your favorite haunts and dare to venture where you’ve never been before!

Merchants are competing for best decorated store and the competition is spirited! So you never know what you’ll find...

So mark your calendars for the 2009 Westerville Uptown Merchants Association’s Annual Big Boo on October 30th from 7 p.m. til the bewitching hour of Midnight... if... you... dare....

Click here to visit Midnight Madness online.

Click here for a Midnight Madness printable map and event schedule.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Thank the Greatest Generation

The City of Westerville invites you to write a thank you letter to a very deserving individual: a veteran of World War II.

Letters will be distributed to veterans during their “mail call” on the October 10, 2009 Honor Flight.

Please take this opportunity to honor our veterans and give thanks for their service to our nation.

Letters will be collected until October 5 on the first floor of the Westerville Municipal Building (21. S. State Street, Westerville, OH 43081).

For more information on Honor Flight Columbus visit http://www.honorflightcolumbus.org/.

Also, Westerville Veterans will be arriving back home for their Honor Flight on October 10th in the evening and community members are encouraged to greet Westerville Vets at Port Columbus. Here is the flight info: Southwest Airlines: Flight 8284. The honor flight website indicates departure at 8:45 p.m., might want to check with Southwest, Honor Flight Columbus, or Port Columbus for exact times.