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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Columbus. Written by Tyler Buchanan and Alissa Widman Neese.

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Located in Greene County, the village of Yellow Springs is the quintessential nature-lovers' getaway. 

Here's what to do and where to eat and drink and stay. 

Jailhouse Suites is made up of four former jail buildings that have been renovated and packed with modern amenities. 

Features: Electric fireplace, central A/C, Roku TV and WiFi

This renovated cabin is just one block from downtown, Glen Helen Nature Preserve and Antioch College. 

Features: Private, heated saltwater pool and hot tub, central A/C, free parking, washer/dryer in-unit

This 1800s cottage has a recently renovated kitchen, bathrooms and an upstairs ensuite bed and bath. 

Features: Indoor fireplace, screened-in porch, free parking

Clifton Mill Restaurant pairs homestyle meals with an atmosphere that feels like you're eating a big family dinner in the park. 

Hours: 9am-4pm Monday-Friday,  8am-4pm Saturday-Sunday

Enjoy craft beers in an eclectic, art-filled space adjacent to the Little Miami Scenic Trail. 

Hours: 1-9pm Monday-Thursday, 1-10pm Friday, noon-10pm Saturday, noon-8pm Sunday.

3. Ellie's Restaurant at Mills Park Hotel

A full-service restaurant inside of Mills Park Hotel, Ellie’s Restaurant serves homemade baked goods and Southern-style comfort food for breakfast and lunch. 

Hours: 8am-2pm Sunday-Thursday, 8am-8pm Friday-Saturday

Grab some ice cream and putt around two miniature golf courses that are open year-round.

This 752-acre park offers plenty to do, including rock climbing, hiking, playgrounds, camping, boating, fishing and biking. 

Support local businesses and shop for everything from used comic books to handmade jewelry and apparel.

Hours: Varies by store. Check store websites for updated information.

Where to eat, play and stay in Yellow Springs, 1 hour from Columbus

Here's what to do and where to eat and stay.

Mini Golf at Young's Jersey Dairy. Photo: John Young/Young's Jersey Dairy

Located in Greene County, the village of Yellow Springs is the quintessential nature-lovers&#x27; getaway. Here&#x27;s what to do and where to eat and drink and stay.

Things to Do

If you're trying to find a place to eat a nice, cheap lunch, we've got you covered. 

Here are four tasty options for $10 or less:

On the menu: A Columbus staple since 1989, Tommy's serves a robust all-day breakfast menu along with sandwiches, gyros and burgers.

Cost: Bacon or ham-and-cheese omelet ($9), roast beef, roasted turkey, and chicken breast entree ($10), club sandwich ($9.75), gyro ($9), angus burger ($9) or an old-fashioned burger ($6.75).

On the menu: Besides pizza, Aracri serves pasta dishes, subs, salads and stuffed pastries. 

Cost: Campus location: Two slices ($7.99), house salad ($7), Italian sub ($9), cheese calzone ($10). Downtown location: 10-inch cheese pizza ($10), baked three cheese calzone ($10), Italian sub ($9).

Details: View hours and locations here, plus read Alissa's dinner review.

On the menu: Union Cafe has a little bit of everything: all-day breakfast, pasta dishes, Tex-Mex dishes, mac and cheese, sandwiches, soups and wings.

Cost: The lunch special is $9.50. Choose from sandwiches, pizza, tacos, pad thai, salads, breakfast platter or quesadillas.

On the menu: Dirty Frank's serves hot dogs, chili mac and cheese, loaded tots, pretzel bites and onion rings.

Cost: $4.95 for most hot dogs with premium dogs starting at $5.50, bacon-wrapped dogs starting at $4.75, chili mac and cheese ($6.95) and deluxe tot-chos ($6.75).

Hours: 4-10pm Monday, 11am-11pm Tuesday-Thursday, 11am-1am Friday-Saturday, 11am-10pm Sunday.

Photo courtesy of Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace

4 places to grab lunch for $10 or less in Columbus

On our list: Dirty Frank's, Tommy's Dinner and more.

Food

If you&#x27;re trying to find a place to eat a nice, cheap lunch, we&#x27;ve got you covered. <ul><li>Here are four tasty options for $10 or less:</li></ul>

Food and Drink

To celebrate, we made a shortlist of the most intriguing men's basketball games in Ohio this season:

The Crosstown Shootout will be hosted by the University of Cincinnati this year. The Bearcats are 51-37 in this Queen City rivalry, which dates back to 1928. 

Ways to watch: Watch on ESPN2 or buy tickets here.

The Flyers got some love from the AP with a preseason No. 24 ranking. We'll know if it was deserved by the time this game rolls around. 

There aren't many high-profile games in Columbus this season, but who doesn't love a rivalry game?

Ways to watch: Watch on CBS or buy tickets here.

Mark your calendar for these 3 Ohio men's college basketball games

 Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during the first half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils at Value City Arena on November 30, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. 

Ohio State men's basketball head coach Chris Holtmann. Photo: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

College basketball

College hoops are finally back. <ul><li>To celebrate, we made a shortlist of the most intriguing men&#x27;s basketball games in Ohio this season:</li></ul>

Sports

Want to hit the slopes? Northern Ohio and southeast Michigan have a handful of options if you're interested in a quick trip to the mountains.

Here are three ski resorts within four hours of Columbus, with seasons running November-March.

Of note: Season passes are no longer available. 

Be smart: Check a resort's website before departing, as it may temporarily close during unseasonably warm and rainy times.

Cost: Lift tickets start at $64 for adults and rentals are $37+.

Other activities: Tubing, dining and retail.

Cost: Lift tickets are $84+ for adults and rentals are $54+.

Cost: Lift tickets are $64+ for adults and rentals are $37+.

Number of lifts: 11; Boston Mills (6), Brandywine (5)

3 places to ski and snowboard within 4 hours of Columbus

Want to hit the slopes? Northern Ohio and Southeast Michigan have a handful of options.

Want to hit the slopes? Northern Ohio and southeast Michigan have a handful of options if you&#x27;re interested in a quick trip to the mountains.<ul><li>Here are three ski resorts within four hours of Columbus, with seasons running November-March.</li></ul>

There are plenty of places to get buckeyes in Columbus, but where are the best places to get treats beyond the traditional candy? 

Here are five terrific places to get buckeye-themed sweets. 

Why it stands out: The Columbus staple is open 24/7.

Why it stands out: For less than $3 you can get a buckeye-topped chocolate cupcake. What more is there to say?

Hours: 9am-2pm Wednesday; 9am-5pm Thursday-Friday; 9am-2pm Saturday.

Why it stands out: The Cheesecake Girl offers buckeye mini cheesecakes by the dozen.

Why it stands out: Alissa gave a glowing review of their Columbus-exclusive "Buckeye," a mix of peanut butter and brownie batter ice cream with scarlet and gray sprinkles.

Hours: 2-9pm Monday-Thursday; 2-10pm Friday; noon-10pm Saturday; noon-9pm Sunday.

Why it stands out: Their Central Ohio locations serve "buckeye" pancakes — buttermilk pancakes topped with Hershey's chocolate chips, Reese's peanut butter chips and light powdered sugar. 

Upper Arlington address: 1633 W. Lane Ave.

Westerville address: 715 Worthington Road

Hours for both: 7am-2:30pm Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm Saturday-Sunday.

5 great places to get buckeye-themed sweets in Columbus

Our recommendations on where to satisfy your sweet tooth.

There are plenty of places to get buckeyes in Columbus, but where are the best places to get treats beyond the traditional candy? <ul><li>Here are five terrific places to get buckeye-themed sweets. </li></ul>

Maxwell Millington

Featured stories

3 places to ski and snowboard within 4 hours of Columbus

Mark your calendar for these 3 Ohio men's college basketball games

4 places to grab lunch for $10 or less in Columbus

Where to eat, play and stay in Yellow Springs, 1 hour from Columbus

5 great places to get buckeye-themed sweets in Columbus