Email
PrintSherrod Brown rents a condo
Sherrod Brown: Renting.
Tim Johnson
The Short North renaissance has attracted a pair of high-profile empty nesters. Though they continue to own their home in Avon near Cleveland, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and his wife, Connie Schultz, the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the Plain Dealer, also are renting an apartment in the thriving urban neighborhood. They got the place about six months ago to be closer to their three adult children (all from previous marriages) who live in Columbus. In a recent visit to Columbus Monthly’s office, Brown said he loves the area just north of downtown, though he does stand out. He said he’s twice the age of anyone else in his building.
Columbus Symphony crowds aren’t known for their rude behavior. But fans of Picnic with the Pops ignored decorum and delivered a strong message about the planned move of the popular summer concert series from the lawn at Chemical Abstracts to the new downtown park Columbus Commons next year. During the final show at Chemical Abstracts on July 30, the crowd booed heartily when symphony board chairman Martin Inglis talked about the switch and the importance of downtown revitalization.
The notorious Casey Anthony, who, as everyone knows, was acquitted by an Orlando, Florida, jury in early July of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee, was causing a stir in Columbus this summer. Celebrity gossip site TMZ.com reported Anthony was spotted in Old Navy at Lennox Town Center in late July. A manager at the store told Insider that while no one could confirm or deny reports that Anthony had shopped there, the number of media inquiries was “crazy”—and there were even a few threatening calls from the public.
Prolific children’s author Michael Rosen is outdoing himself. The former literary director of the Thurber House has four books hitting stores this fall: Chanukah Lights, Night of the Pumpkinheads, The Hound Dog’s Haiku and My Dog! A Kids’ Guide to Keeping a Happy and Healthy Pet. Since 1984, Rosen has published nearly 100 books. And he’s not ready to slow down. “I’m going exponential—16 for next year,” he says with a laugh. He’s kidding. We think.
Jack Hanna is about to get more face time on TV. Starting in September, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium director emeritus will launch a second TV program, “Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown,” a weekly show for ABC. In it, Hanna will break down the animal world in handy lists—for instance, the 10 best big cats in the world. Footage will be culled from Hanna’s nearly three decades in television. The show (Hanna’s first for a broadcast network) starts on Sept. 3 and can be seen at 9 am Saturdays on Channel 6. Hanna is continuing to do his syndicated program, “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild,” which focuses on the globe-trotting animal ambassador’s travels to exotic places.
Angela An, a weekday morning anchor at 10TV, is now in the food tour business. Along with Christy McKinney, a community trustee for Dine Originals Columbus, An has founded Food Hop, a touring company that transports guests to restaurants and bars. The duo offers a sushi hop and a craft beer tour, among others. “Our mission is to give people a taste of Columbus in one night in a fun, exciting and entertaining atmosphere,” says An, who continues to work at the television station. Her bosses are OK with her involvement in Food Hop as long as she doesn’t market herself as “Angela An from 10TV,” she explains.
