In this week’s podcast we sit down with Jon Myers and Chuck Hootman, founders of Casino-Free Columbus, the local grassroots effort to halt the development of the casino in the Arena District. Jon & Chuck tell us about how this movement came about, why the casino is not a good fit for our community, what types of development we need to be striving for instead and ways for others to get involved. More information can be found on their twitter profile @casinofreecolo and their Facebook page - “CasinoFreColumbus“.

You can use the player below to listen to the podcast, click here to download an mp3, click here to subscribe via iTunes, or click here to subscribe to the rss feed.

Issue 3 passed on November 3rd, awarding Penn National Gaming the ability to install casinos in four Ohio cities including Columbus. Voters in Franklin County opposed the casino proposal 58% to 42%, and so did every other Central Ohio county. A local movement is being started by Jon Myers and Chuck Hootman to remind Central Ohioans that just because Penn National is allowed to build a casino here, it doesn’t mean that they have to.

The duo have started up the “Casino Free Columbus” movement that aims to block the development of the Arena District Casino in favor of allocating resources towards better jobs, local businesses and smarter development. The movement is pushing for educational advocacy that will build a large vocal population that will make it known that the Columbus community will not support the Casino.

More information about Casino Free Columbus can be found in this article in yesterday’s Other Paper, as well as both Facebook and Twitter.

I’ve been holding this secret in for MONTHS, but it was finally announced, so I’m excited to finally share the news with all of you fans of Betty’s and Surly Girl:

Liz’s Myspace Blog wrote Sunday, January 14, 2007

Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails

It’s official. I tell you all first because I love you most of all.

A third restaurant/bar concept is set to open late February 2007. I am partnering with my brother and Surly Girl Saloon General Manager Tim Lessner and my friend and co-activist in all things Columbus, Chuck Hootman.

Cuisine is Ohio Comfort. Decor is 100% old-school Columbus, Ohio with the comfort, love and character you’ve come to know and love from us. Location is 73 E. Gay Street. Two-wheeled discounts always offered for those of you riding bikes, scooters or the bus on over. And the cocktails? Emphasis on bourbon, Manhattans a specialty.

Eat, drink and feel the downtown love. We are here because we love you.