Bob Evans Restaurants show up a winner every time Ohio Magazine asks people to list their favorite best value restaurant. At least that happened when I was there. Once there was a rule that chains weren't to be nominated-just to give some other restaurants a chance to shine. No matter. People in Ohio are wild about Bob Evans. At least the folks who enter restaurant contests are.

As one reader stated, "You said no chains, but we go there all the time. The food is always good, as are the service and the prices."

I like Bob Evans myself, especially for breakfast--and recognizing that breakfast is one of its hallmarks, the chain has cooked up a different kind of contest itself. This one is on Ebay. People are bidding on a 3-day vacation and breakfast with Bob Evans himself. The neat thing about this, is that proceeds are gong to Habitat for Humanity.

What's the impetus for all this? With its roots firmly in Ohio, even though it's reaches are far outside the state's borders, Bob Evans Restaurants have a new item on the menu and their own blog, "One Stack at a Time." The blog is basically devoted to Stacked and Stuffed pancakes. Readers can add their favorite choices. There is also a video that shows how to make Stacked and Stuffed pancakes yourself. The listed favorite from the blog is roasted apple carmel cream. Here's a link to the press release about the contest and Bob Evans's new endeavors. Also, if you want to join in the auction, hurry. You only have two days left. This is a great opportunity to have an Ohio vacation and help charity as well.

This is blatant self-promotion - but hey, you could win a free Marc Jacobs or Cole Haan bag, and I'm sure you'd love to do that.

You may not know, but Blogging Ohio has a number of related websites, and the most recent of them is StyleDash, a website devoted to fashion and accessory commentary. Since I am very girly at times, even though I have no desire to write about these things myself, I will cheerfully read all about them! Unfortunately, they don't seem to have spoken much about Ohio and the varied examples of personal style one sees out on and about in the Buckeye State (for example, when I went to the grocery store Thursday evening and stood in line between a woman wearing workout clothes with wet hair and a young man behind me who had the worst haircut I had ever seen, but I don't think he cared, since his clothes matched the hair).

But! Even though there have been no Ohio-related stories as of yet, I'd like to do my part, and shepherd my immensely huge readership over to StyleDash for at least a quick look. I myself was especially excited to see Sarah Gim's article about how a model was turned away for being too skinny - that's right, soon it'll be my turn to shine on the runway! I also really like the StyleFoul section, which was both hilarious and accurate. Take a look, Ohio!

Welcome to the season of football, baseball and politics. That's about the order of importance most Ohioans rank them in, too.

The general consensus; The Bengals rock, the Browns suck, the Buckeyes rule. The Reds are in the thick of the battle, while the Indians play their minor league roster.

Cincinnati:

Reds Reporter invites his readers to reminisce about their favorite Reds playoff memories.

Appalachian Greens has a good recap of why those from Appalachia have shorter average lifespans than Americans from other regions.

Toledo:

Futonreport.net explores the question -- did Michigan Gobernatorial hopeful Dick DeVoss jink the Detroit Tigers? Their lead in the American League Central division has dwindled quickly.

Cleveland:

Cleveland Area (Lorain, actually) blogger Word of Mouth celebrates his one-year anniversary with a new look, new purpose, and new participation. Congrats!

Brewed Fresh Daily warns us about a threat to podcaster's rights.

Right Angle Blog mentions the possibility that Blackwell, if elected, might become a candidate for VP on the 2008 Republican ticket.

Columbus:

The Buckeye Institute has a thought-provoking post about the spiraling cost of Ohio schools.

We Columbus has a great shot of some neon in local Corvette and neon collector Bob McDorman's setup.

We need more links! If you blog about Ohio please send them along so we can help spread the news.