This is a fun little seasonal piece by our friends at MediaSource. We sure like it and we think you’ll find it entertaining too!

Above any other time of the year, the holidays are most special. As we approach Thanksgiving and all the special days coming in December here are some important things to think about. 

Supporting local businesses and local economies has never been more important. When you buy, you vote with your dollars. When you buy at North Market you support the great local businesses and local families that own them.

Eat locally for all the right reasons, but eat locally because it tastes better. Locally grown and locally raised food is right for the season. It’s fresher, more nutritious, better for the environment, but importantly it’s food of the moment. Seasonal food and local food simply taste better than food that travels from half way around the globe.

Try Ohio wines and locally brewed beers. They’re darn good and might even taste better because you’re supporting a greater cause. Pair them with some Ohio cheeses for a delightful presentation.

Make the holiday table or occasion special with a local theme. A trip to the North Market enables you to prepare an event with a theme that’s never been more appropriate.

Everything about food today is local and everything about North Market supports the idea that supporting local businesses can make for the most special of holidays. Our food comes from farms not factories and our businesses are owned by our neighbors.

This holiday season give your community the biggest gift of all by supporting the 35 family owned and operated businesses here at North Market.

Happy Holidays,

David Wible
Executive Director

Get your holiday baking under way in style! The Ladies of the Market are once again sponsoring a night of cookies, appetizers, wine, and jazzy Christmas music to kick start your holiday season in a fun and meaningful way. Join us on Thursday, December 3 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Dispatch Kitchen at the North Market for our Cookie Exchange.

For a nominal $50 donation, every participant will go home with a selection of three dozen cookies handmade by the Ladies of the North Market and some recipes to boot! Homemade cookies are a time-honored holiday tradition, but time is a precious commodity during the busy holiday season. So let the Ladies of the Market do some of your baking for you! You will be able to select 36 delicious, made-from-scratch cookies from the ovens of our North Market merchants. Every kind of cookie imaginable, from traditional cut-outs to cherished family recipes, will be represented at this event. Hosted by Robin Davis of The Columbus Dispatch and the Ladies of the Market, the evening will also include tasty local food bites, wine, coffee, and holiday music provided by Jazz Mary.

100% of the event proceeds go to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. For every dollar donated to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, they are able to distribute $8.00 worth of groceries to people in need. Each year, this worthy organization collects and distributes food to more than 500 food pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters as well as to after-school programs and senior citizen housing sites in central and eastern Ohio. It is no secret that this year is a particularly needy one in terms of the number of people within our community who will depend on the Mid-Ohio Food Bank to help feed their families. The Ladies of the Market Cookie Exchange is a fun way to help those families within our community.

Please join us for this fun evening supporting a great cause. Last year, this event raised $2,500 for the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. This year, our goal is to increase our attendance from 50 to 60 participants. Space is limited, so call the North Market to reserve your space today - and bring a friend!

Call 463-9664 for reservations. Or buy tickets online here>

It’s that time of year for holiday entertaining, cookie baking, pie making, turkey basting, present shopping, gift-giving and celebrating all of the reasons for the season. The North Market Holiday Open House & Craft Extravaganza is the perfect place for both inspiration and acquisition of all of your holiday trimmings. We’ve decided to give you twice as much of a good thing this year and we have expanded the event to last both Saturday, December 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 6 from 12-5 p.m.

Our merchants will be armed with an array of samples to tempt your taste buds and help you formulate your holiday feasts. As always they are endowed with the wisdom of years of experience to give you excellent advice. The second floor will be devoted to forty-five local artisans and crafters for a weekend of shopping for distinctive handmade gifts. Jewelry, glass, textiles, bath and body products and knitted items are just a few of the categories represented by the local artists in our craft fair.

Scheduled Holiday Open House Activities include:

Saturday, December 5
• 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., North Market merchants and Craft Extravaganza vendors on second floor open for business
• 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Christmas tree sales on the farmers’ market plaza
• 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., holiday music by Willie Phoenix
• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., holiday music by Suite Strings
• 1 - 3 p.m., Joyunspeakable, the living statue as the Nutcracker Toy Soldier
• 1 - 3 p.m., holiday music by Miss Molly
• 3 - 5 p.m., holiday music by the Eileen Howard Jazz Trio

Sunday, December 6
• 12-5 p.m., North Market merchants and Craft Extravaganza vendors on second floor open for business
• 12 -3 p.m., holiday music by Willie Phoenix
• 3-5 p.m., holiday music by Island Breeze

Participating vendors include:
Andy Glass ~ hand-blown glass ornaments
Baby Gee’s ~ blankets, burp cloths, hooded towels, bags and holiday ornaments
BC Appliqué ~ appliquéd towels, bibs, guardian angels
Black Market ~ hand knit scarves, jewelry
Bootleg ~ hand sewn silk-screened wristbands, silk-screened t-shirts, prints, totes
Kelly Burt ~ plush animals, painted bags, robot t-shirts
Carmacazzi ~ hand printed shirts for men and women
Claynimals ~ rolling clay animals
Corazon y Manos ~ jewelry boxes, crochet scarves
Crafty Beavers ~ knitted kitty hats, knit items, beaded jewelry, DIY lip balm kits
Creatrix Jane ~ handsewn clothing and accessories, handknit accessories
Kristin Ellis ~ original silver-smithed jewelry
Flying Wishes ~ my monster pillows, critter crayons, greeting cards
4 Healthy Paws ~ homemade healthy dog treats, bandannas, scrapbooks
Girl Pie ~ pressed fern ornaments, crocheted animals, headbands
Green Handle Designs ~ beaded and semi-precious stone jewelry
Hevvin Designs ~ vintage fabric clutches and messenger bags
Honeyrun Farm ~ artisan infused honey, handcrafted soap and beeswax candles
Jennifer Sadler Designs ~ jewelry made with resin, glass and stone beads
Brenda Jennings ~ hand-dyed and painted silk scarves, purses, art quilts
Jonathan Juravich ~ metal hand-punched ornaments, recycled key chains
Kim Gillie Krier ~ bags, art quilts, check book covers
Kitty Couture Designs ~ cookbook marks, jewelry and accessories
Magpie and Molly ~ hand cut sterling silver and copper necklaces and jewelry
MaraM ~ bags and accessories from recycled materials, paper gift tags, ornaments
Lynda McClanahan ~ art notecards, postcards, art prints, magnets
Meatless Art ~ original collages, prints, paintings
Mel’s Clay ~ polymer clay creations including pens, light switch covers, boxes
Moon Garden ~ handmade soaps, lotions, soy wax tarts, lip balm, shea butter
Morgan Art Works ~ wire sculpture, ornaments, kinetic mobiles
A Mother’s Work ~ stained glass stars and starbursts
Pieces of Eight ~ enamel copper jewelry and bowls, glass magnets, buttons
Prizepig ~ knitted scarves, hats, handbags, stockings
Poshta Stationery & Design ~ handcrafted paper goods
Clinton Reno ~ hand-screened posters, t-shirts, buttons, coasters
Revelry Press ~ mini chalkboards, coasters, cards, tshirts
Scrabble Chick ~ pendants from vintage Scrabble tiles, glass tiles
Smarty Pants Design ~handmade polymer clay beads, jewelry, buttons
Debbie Sterrett ~ beaded jewelry
Sweet Stella Designs ~ sweet polymer accessories
Sweetie Pie ~ vintage style retro aprons
Two Peas in a Pod ~ girls boutique clothing, totes, scarves, aprons
Umbrella Girl Productions ~ sewn stationery, greeting & gift cards, hair scarves
Wholly Craft! ~  items made by local artisans including scarves, coasters, plush
With Nature in Mind ~ soap, body butters, body powders, lip balm, bath cookies
Victorian Village Orchids ~ baked potato bags, table runners, purses
Vintage Vamp ~ artisan jewelry incorporating vintage parts
Vivisect Apparel ~ organic cotton screened tees, bags,  totes, grocery bags
Waterdance Art ~ Fusion glass vessels, sconces, fan pulls and lamp work beads

The North Market Holiday Open House and Craft Extravaganza will take place on Saturday, December 5 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 6 from 12 - 5 p.m. Admission is free. Artisan applications are closed.

Every year, Valentine’s Day falls on the 14^th of February. Here are 14 great ideas to make your Valentine’s Day, fresh, local and romantic.

1. Say it with flowers. Market Blooms has the finest and freshest in town. From roses by the dozen to creative bouquets, stop by to see Marty or Bob for a “consultation.” Pressed for time? Call 228-7760 and place an order.
2. Chocolate is always a sure bet, fine chocolates are even better! Dan Cooper at Pure Imagination is one of our city’s finest chocolatiers. Hand-dipped, hand- made…there is a difference.
3. Champagne and sparkling wine. Dave Bihn at Grapes of Mirth will fix you up with the right bottle at the right price.
4. Fresh seafood. Oysters and live lobster are especially festive and romantic. Let The Fish Guys set you up with the highest quality, freshest seafood in town.
5. A little bauble perhaps? Browse the shelves of Better Earth’s Beyond Beads for a special treasure that will be remembered long after Valentine’s Day.
6. Spice up your day with some fiery foods from CaJohn’s Flavor and Fire. Choose from a wide selection of hot sauces and salsas that make great gifts.
7. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams has a bouquet of special handmade ice creams for you and your sweetheart. Check out their website at www.jenisicecreams.com to ship these great treats anywhere in the country.
8. Rich, chocolaty Omega Cakes are a favorite of mine. Amy Lozier at Omega Artisan Baking is crafting any number of handmade baked goods that are sure to please your Valentine’s Day sweetie.
9. Let Pastaria prepare your entire Valentine’s Day dinner. Chef Rocco Valentino has created an elegant take-home four course meal for two. Simply order your dinners, pick them up and you are ready for a truly romantic meal Chez Vous. Call 805-4976 to order. See the menu: http://www.northmarket.com/blog/?p=188
10. Don’t forget the kids. The Candy Shack has an enormous selection of old-fashioned candies to mix and match. Come in and create your own bag of goodies that will make your kids feel extra special.
11. Mozart’s has a wide selection of European pastries from which to choose. You can’t go wrong with a box of beautiful handmade petit ‘fours.
12. A loaf of bread, a jug of wine. You’ve got a great bottle of wine from Grapes of Mirth, and a loaf of crusty bread from Omega Artisan Baking. Now you’re off to see Mike Kast at Curds & Whey for a fantastic piece of cheese. He has nearly 400 to choose from. Don’t forget some of his great olives, also.
13. Looking for a gift for your foodie/sweetie? We have great cookware and serving ware at North Market Cookware and The Source.
14. Is this your idea of the perfect romantic evening? You procure the very finest ingredients to prepare an absolutely fabulous meal for your sweetheart. Here at North Market we have it all for you. Great produce, meats, seafood, poultry, baked goods…the very finest ingredients for the most romantic meal ever. All here at you community public market.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your sweetheart. Hope to see you at the Market. We’ll help you make this year’s day the most special ever.

Can you do without the hassle of attempting to get a reservation at a restaurant for Valentine’s Day, especially this year as it falls on a Saturday? Why not impress your true love with an intimate dinner for two Chez Vous? Our appropriately named Chef Rocco Valentino at Pastaria handcrafts a special menu each year for Valentine’s Day. You’ll get four fabulous courses (with a vegatarian option, even!) and a bottle of wine for a flat $100.

When you pick up your ready-to-impress meal on the 14th you can also collect some extra “trimmings” for the perfect at-home ambience: a bouquet of fragrant flowers for the table and rose petals for scattering at Market Blooms, a bottle of sparkling wine at Grapes of Mirth to set the mood and an assortment of truffles at Pure Imagination Chocolatier. We won’t tell if you ditch the carryout containers and take credit for your in-home feast.

Menu by: Pastaria

Certified Executive Chef Rocco G. Valentino

First course

Cream of spinach soup with horseradish crostini

Second course

Baby spinach with stone ground mustard vinaigrette, gorgonzola cheese and candied pecans

Entrée

Penne Rigate with white wine asparagus butter and sauté of baby squash, sun dried tomatoes, leeks and roasted red peppers

Or

Seared filet of beef with cabernet syrup, essence of basil whipped potatoes and sauté of baby squash

Finale

Chocolate Mousse

Dinner for two (without wine) $85.00

Dinner for two including a bottle of wine $100.00

Wine choices: Farnese Trebbiano D’Abruzzo or Montepulciano D’Abruzzo from Grapes of Mirth

Call (614)805-4976 to order.

Please order before 12 pm on Tuesday February 10

Orders will be available for pick up between 11am and 4:30pm on Saturday February 14^th