Healthy New Albany March/April 2023

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MAGAZINE

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Phil Heit Executive Editor 1335 Dublin Rd. Suite 101C Columbus, OH 43215 614.572.1240 www.cityscenecolumbus.com

Kathleen K. Gill

Dave Prosser

Gianna Barrett

Jamie Armistead

Gary Hoffman

Claire Miller, Rachel Karas, Tyler Kirkendall

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Garth Bishop, Amanda DePerro

Kobe Collins, Angela Douglas, Katie Giffin, Adrienne Joly, Kerri L. Mollard, Dianna Spencer

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Dan Nase, Laura Pappas

President/CEO

Chief Creative Officer

Vice President, Sales

Vice President, Operations

Creative Director Editors

Contributing Editors

Contributing Writers Digital Editor Advertising Sales

Healthy New Albany Magazine Advisory Board

Healthy New Albany Magazine is the Official Publication of Healthy New Albany, Inc., convened by The New Albany Community Foundation.

Jamie Allen, M.D.

Darrin Bright, M.D.

Michael Sawyers

Lisa Hinson

Benita Jackson, M.D., M.P.H.

Craig Mohre

David Sabgir, M.D.

Amy Sternstein, M.D.

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

OhioHealth

New Albany-Plain Local Schools

Hinson Ltd. Public Relations

Medical Mutual

New Albany Community Foundation

Mount Carmel Health System

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

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Healthy New Albany Magazine is published in January, March, May, July, September and November. Subscriptions are free for households within New Albany-Plain Local Schools. For advertising information or bulk purchases, contact Gianna Barrett at 614-572-1255 or gbarrett@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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Let’s Get Physical

As I reviewed the articles that will appear in this issue of Healthy New Albany Magazine, I was pleased to see references related to the importance of engaging in a daily exercise program. In Katie Giffin’s interview with Rana Foroohar, a New York Times best-selling author who will interview Arthur Laffer and Robert Reich as a part of New Albany’s Lecture series, Foroohar explained the importance of exercise in her life. “Exercise has always been super-duper important to me - it’s like brushing my teeth. I can’t function without it. I consider it something that his non-negotiable.” In “Fiery Family Man,” Tyler Kirkendall writes how Sebastian La Rocca, a renowned chef and New Albany resident, appreciates the exercise opportunities available to him and his family.

As much as I tout the above examples of the importance of exercise, the fact remains that around 27 percent of Ohioans are inactive. Based on CDC data, inactivity is a lack of exercise such as running, walking, gardening or calisthenics in the past month outside of a regular job. Accordingly, CDC created Active People, Healthy Nation, a national initiative to help 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027. As reinforced by CDC, increased regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of at least 20 chronic diseases and conditions as well as provide effective treatments for many of these.

Other potential benefits of exercise include improved school performance and military readiness. I was taken aback when attending Remarkable Evening in New Albany this past year and listening to Mark Esper, former United States Secretary of Defense, express his concern that an unusually high percentage of military recruits were rejected for service due to poor health. The result is a smaller number of military personnel than is currently needed.

I can pontificate about many of the lesserknown advantages of exercise whether they include improved thinking and cognition for people of all ages or improved learning and judgment skills. The fact remains that exercise, whether through running, walking, weight training or a host of other lifestyle choices, should be a part of everyone’s DNA.

Healthfully, Phil Heit Executive Director Emeritus Healthy New Albany

Photo by Ray LaVoie

What's happening in and out of New Albany in & out

Saturday, March 4

Indoor Farmer’s Market

9 a.m.-noon, Philip Heit Center, 150 W. Main St. www.healthynewalbany.org

Sundays, March 5 and 26 Scioto Miles Spring Race Series

8 a.m., Scioto Mile, 233 Civic Center Dr., Columbus www.sciotomiles.com

Sunday, March 5

Sesquicentennial Author Series: Julia Quinn

2 p.m., Columbus Metropolitan Library – Main Library, 96 S. Grant Ave., Columbus www.columbuslibrary.org

Wednesday, March 8

The New Albany Lecture Series: An Evening with Economists

7-8 p.m., Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin Granville Rd. www.newalbanyfoundation.org

Saturday, March 11

New Albany Symphony Sensory Friendly Concert: Trailblazers

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin Granville Rd. www.newalbanysymphony.com

Sunday, March 12

New Albany Symphony Concert: Ellington Price Still

3-5 p.m., Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin Granville Rd. www.newalbanysymphony. com

Wednesdays, March 22 and April 12 and 26

ReWild Child: Maple Syrup Makers Various times, Wexner Community Park,7600 Swickard Woods Blvd. www.newalbanychamber. com

Monday, March 27-Friday, March 31 New Albany-Plain Local Schools Spring Recess www.napls.us

Friday, March 31-Sunday, April 2

Midwest Craft Con 2023

10 a.m.-5 p.m., Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St., Columbus www.midwestcraftcon.com

Sunday, April 2

Itzhak: A Film by Alison Chernick

3 p.m., Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin Granville Rd. www.mccoycenter.org

Sunday, April 16

The Ohio State 4 Miler

10 a.m., Ohio Stadium, 411 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus www.ohiostatefourmiler.com

Saturday, April 29 Cap City Half Marathon

Sunday, April 16

The Ohio State 4 Miler

Photo courtesy of Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics

Wednesday, March 8

The New Albany Lecture Series: Robert Reich and Dr. Arthur Laffer Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Sunday, April 16

Cooking with the Power of Plants

2-4 p.m., Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany, 150 W. Main St. www.newalbanychamber.com

Wednesday, April 26

Sesquicentennial Author Series: Friends & Fiction

7 p.m., Columbus Metropolitan Library – Main Library, 96 S. Grant Ave., Columbus www.columbuslibrary.org

Wednesday, April 26

Violinist Itzhak Perlman

7:30 p.m., Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin Granville Rd. www.mccoycenter.org

Saturday, April 29

Capital City Half Marathon 8 a.m., 160 S. High St., Columbus www.capitalcityhalfmarathon.com

Submit Your Event

Do you have an event you would like to submit to our calendar? Send details and photos to cmiller@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

Wednesday, April 26

Itzhak Perlman

By Claire Miller

Editor’s Note: “My Story” is a

No Limitations

NAHS alum overcomes hip surgeries to cheer in college

Jennifer Tennenbaum graduated from New Albany High School in 2019. Now a senior at Capital University, Tennenbaum is pursuing a degree in social work and has her sights set on graduation in May. She’s a cheerleader for Capital and has been cheering since around age 7. Her journey with the sport hasn’t been linear, however.

After two back-to-back hip dysplasia surgeries as a teenager, she missed out on high school cheerleading as she recovered. Still, she persevered and made the Capital cheer team as a freshman. This year, as a senior at Capital, she rose to the top flyer position – a spot she hasn’t been in since before surgery. Her journey has inspired her to pursue a social work degree to support athletes’ mental health; something she understands the importance of personally.

Her interview with Healthy New Albany Magazine has been edited for length and clarity.

Healthy New Albany Magazine: How did you know you needed hip surgery? What was going on before you had to see someone about it and started that process?

Jennifer Tennenbaum: I was doing competition and school cheer and I ended up just getting hip pain. I ended up going to the trainer at New Albany. We tried a few different things, just like PT and stretching. He was like, “I think this is a more serious problem than just stretching.” And so we made the appointment with Dr. (Kevin) Klingele (at Nationwide Children’s Hospital).

They did X-rays and talked about everything and then he was like, “Do you know what hip dysplasia is?” And me and my dad – we have two English mastiffs, which hip dysplasia is huge in big dogs – so we kind of laughed it off. And we were like, “Yeah, like we’re preventing our dogs from getting that.” And we were just kind of confused because we’ve never heard about it in people. And that’s when my whole entire life immediately changed.

I just hit seven years ago on my first surgery the other day. We had to do them six months apart. I finished out my cheer season (before the surgeries) because we thought I’d never be able to go back to it because most people don’t bounce back to their sports.

It went great. And then did rehab, six months later did the second one. And then we waited a year after the second one to get my screws out just because they bothered me because I was so tiny.

HNA: How did the recovery experience affect you and your perspective? In those six months, what was your life like?

JT: It was a plethora of different things. It was eye opening. It was honestly terrible. It’s something that I would never want to put any-

one through, just because it is so intense. And I was in a wheelchair for two months almost, and then on crutches for six weeks.

It’s completely rotating your anatomy, basically. They cut your hip in three places and rotate it and put four screws in. And that young of an age, you never expected to go through something so intensive – and then the mental aspect. I think I have grown so much since then. It definitely was very hard mentally because I was so young. I was 14 or 15, 16, and I wasn’t cheering. I got to see all my friends go along with their lives and I had to miss out on things, like hanging out with friends. It was just like missing out on things and figuring out starting high school in a wheelchair. I think overall being in a wheelchair and on crutches opened my eyes so much to see, you don’t know what people are going through at all.

first-person column or a Q&A feature of a New Albany community member that centers on health. Have a story to share? Email cmiller@cityscenemediagroup.com. Submissions should be no more than 1,200 words.

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Tennenbaum

Tennenbaum rose to the flyer position her senior year at Capital.

HNA: Tell me about the difference between the two separate recoveries.

JT: I remember going into my second surgery, and I’m in the prep room and I remember looking at my dad saying, please don’t make me do this. Because it was so intense and I still apologize to my dad to this day because I feel so bad. I broke his heart saying that, but since it was so much more displaced it was a little bit harder to fix and I ended up losing three pints of blood. The recovery time, I think was almost about the same, I believe, and it was just easier but also harder in a way. It was easier because I knew, “OK, when I get home

and I’m out of the hospital, I know what to do now. I know what to do to make myself comfortable. I know what I’m about to go through.” But also much harder because I just recovered from the first one and I was like, “Wow, I’m doing this all over again.” I’m completely restarting from square one. Eventually I had a physical therapist who was a dancer. And so she understood me and my sport, and she was amazing. I had her all three times because I did physical therapy before my first surgery as well. And I just remember her saying like, “Do you want to get back to cheer?” And I was like, “Yeah, if I’m allowed.” And she was like, “Alright then, let’s get to it.”

HNA: What did it take to get back into the sport?

JT: The one thing Klingele said after my surgeries when I was cleared was “no limitations.” And my dad reminded me of that every day for years. It’s one of my favorite things now because without the support system around me, I definitely don’t think I would be where I am today. And I ended up doing some private lessons at a new cheer gym. And

just like taking it really slow. I got a personal trainer. When I did private lessons, it was a coach that worked with athletes who were recovering from injuries. So he understood what I was going through, knew to take it slow but also push me a little bit. I eventually cheered there.

HNA: What should people know about you and your experience?

JT: That’s a hard question. It changed my life. It’s definitely made me a much more grateful person for the life that I have. I’m glad I had the resources and the opportunity to have a great surgeon who changed my life and got me out of pain. And definitely just live life to the fullest. I know everybody says that, but it definitely has made me love the little things and realize that you’re gonna have bad days, but that’s a bad day. It’s not a bad life. I was able to have my surgeries and I got to go back to my sport. And throughout the cheer world you have the people with bad attitudes and, you know, I try to uplift them and everybody’s like, “Aren’t you tired of cheer yet?” And I’m like, no. Because I got two years taken away from me from the thing that I loved most and I fell back in love with it. Because I know so many people that have had this surgery that had to quit their sports. They never got to do it again. And I’m lucky that I got to do it.

Claire Miller is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at cmiller@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Above, recovering in the hospital with her brother, James; below, an embrace from mom.

Tennenbaum underwent two periacetabular osteotomies (PAO) during high school.

By Tyler Kirkendall

Fiery Family Man

Esteemed Chef La Rocca settles in after cooking worldwide

Sebastian La Rocca is the executive chef at FYR, Spark and Stories on High, and that’s no small title, given the Hilton Columbus Downtown is now the largest hotel in Ohio with more than 1,000 rooms. After honing his craft alongside some of the world’s best cooks, he has landed in New Albany to raise his family while working in the state’s capital.

La Rocca’s cooking journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“People ask me who’s my main influence in cooking, what chef I like, and I always say my grandmother,” La Rocca says. “I use many recipes from my grandmother in my restaurant. Since I (can) remember, I used to be around my grandmother and my grandparents, cooking around and having fun in the kitchen on the weekends.”

Half-Italian and half-Argentinian, La Rocca’s heritage flavors his dishes.

“My ancestors in Argentina, my people, they cook for their whole life with fires,” he says. “So it’s in our DNA and it’s part of who we are, the fires. As well, being half-Italian, Italy is all about the products, seasonality, and that’s who I am as well.”

World travels

La Rocca left Argentina for the United States at 18 for culinary school in Miami, where he had family that he visited throughout his childhood.

Miami was his springboard to begin traveling the world, always learning and experiencing new cultures through food. He explored Chile, Ecuador, Brazil and all over Europe.

He lived in London, where he worked for Jamie Oliver of The Naked Chef for almost five years.

“He’s a great guy, super generous,” La Rocca says, “and the thing I recall from Jamie is that he really showed me a passion about ingredients and how important it is to support local suppliers.”

Working with Oliver gave La Rocca invaluable experience working in high-stakes, Michelin Star locations. Barbecoa, which was one of the top restaurants in London at the

Fillet

Ember Shrimp

Salon Ceviche

Photo courtesy of Hilton Columbus Downtown

“First, don’t buy by the price. Buy by the product. If you go to the farmer’s market, you’re gonna get the fresh, amazing products, better than a grocery. Second, don’t put too much. Don’t overwork the plate. Less is more.”

“The other thing is (cooking), it’s not a secret. Everyone can cook, that’s what Ratatouille says. What you need to do is go into the kitchen, explore. Experiment. Worst case scenario, you burn something, or something you do is over spiced. Today you’re going to do that, tomorrow you will do better.”

He says that repetition and muscle memory are the keys to success. He has practiced martial arts for 28 years, and says that cooking is the same. If you train and understand discipline, you will grow and learn.

time, was particularly influential in his development.

La Rocca left London for Costa Rica, where he and his wife, Karen, met and their daughter, Miranda, was born. Karen’s parents still live there. But they soon packed up and moved to the United States.

Settling in the States

“For me, work is work, more or less. The most important is family,” he says. “Any work, any offer, any country, if the family is not happy, I don’t care how much I get paid or how good is the job. The key for me, zero drama, enjoy and have the family happy. I don’t live for work.”

His outlook on work life balance benefited both his career and his family. In 2018, they moved to Miami and La Rocca opened a new restaurant, Cvltvra. Miami didn’t turn out to be a permanent home for La Rocca and his family, however.

“Columbus found me,” he says.

When he got the offer from Hilton, La Rocca and Karen first turned

La Rocca offers this advice to people who want to incorporate more good, healthful foods into their diet:

to Google. He thought that Columbus presented beautifully online. The couple visited Columbus for a weekend and found that it had a little bit of Chicago and New York, and La Rocca says it felt like “a small big city.”

Between amazing theater, museums, the zoo, sports and more, La Rocca says it’s hard to see how great central Ohio is until you move here.

“The people are what makes all the difference,” La Rocca says. “Columbus has a lot to offer. My daughter and my wife, they are into art, very into fashion, and Columbus is the third city in fashion in the country. It’s a city with great art. I’m into sports. This city breathes sports.”

He loves the outdoors and is always seeking new ways to have fun and take advantage of central Ohio’s many active opportunities. He says that he has always appreciated seasonality, and tends to choose places and activities that change with the seasons.

“In summer, we like hiking, we like climbing, we like water sports. … New Albany is great to do the bicycles because everybody respects the bicycles cycling,” he says. “Then in winter, you have the snow sports to do here. You can ice skate and one hour from here you can ski in Mad River.”

With such a wealth of things to do right here in New Albany, La Rocca says, it’s a great place for Miranda to grow up.

“Because you are here, you cannot appreciate what you have. It’s a great city to raise a family,” he says.

La Rocca also appreciates the nearby agriculture and being so close to the food that feeds his family and his restaurant guests.

New to New Albany

“We go to different areas of the city, and New Albany reminds me a lot of where I grew up in Buenos Aires,” he says. “I grew up in an area they call San Isidro. In San Isidro, it’s the same, it’s the suburbs, the community’s great, and we went to New Albany and I said to my wife, ‘This is home.’”

Miranda is now 9 years old and goes to New Albany-Plain Local Schools. One of the family’s first, yet lasting memories of New Albany was when a New Albany Police officer stopped to praise Miranda for wearing her bike helmet and handed her a voucher for free ice cream.

“Something I like in the school is you have different demographics and different levels of people,” he says, “but nobody makes you feel like you don’t deserve to be there. … I like the diversity. Nobody cares who you are or how much you have, everybody interacts with everyone. And they have amazing diversity of people at the school.”

He says New Albany’s diversity helps his family feel at home. Miranda has friends from Ghana, Brazil, Uganda, China and more, making New Albany feel that much more special.

Karen volunteers at the library twice a week, helping teach Spanish to local kids.

“Yesterday night I was talking to Karen about how she was feeling, about how she was doing volunteering at the library, and she was really happy because she sees people already coming looking for her for help,” he says.

She is glad that there are parents who know to look to her when their children need help. La Rocca says it is important to give back to the community, and it’s a value his whole family cherishes.

“We moved here eight months ago, and we didn’t know anyone,” he says. “And in eight months, my wife, my daughter, they have people already that take them in and make them feel warm and welcome.”

Tyler Kirkendall is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at tkirkendall@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

Everything at FYR Short North is cooked with a flame.

By Rachel Karas

Creating Careers in Finance

Over the past century, women in business have pushed for continued access and equality when it comes to opportunities for themselves and others in the workforce.

Starting as early as the 1800s, women began to take on more jobs but some fields were not as accessible as others.

In recent decades, especially since the boom of the 1980s, more women have been entering and advancing in the financial world.

Around central Ohio there are countless women working in c-suite positions. More women are among the ranks of chief financial officers and operating officers to presidents and regional presidents. Many of them also work and live in New Albany, bringing their families and expertise with them.

We sat down with a few of these women to share their stories of how they entered the field, what they have learned along the way and seek their advice for future financial administrators.

Lisa Wesolek Co-Founder and COO of VELA Investments

Though she was born at Riverside Hospital, Lisa Wesolek grew up in Loudonville, about an hour and 20 minutes north of Columbus. Her family moved there after her parents divorced when she was young.

Being raised by a single mother, Wesolek worked very hard to help her family and became the first person in her family to graduate high school.

She eventually returned to central Ohio where she put herself through college, working as a teller along the way, and earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from Franklin University and an executive master’s of business administration from The Ohio State University.

Over the course of her 40-year career, Wesolek has worked at several banks and financial institutions – including some big names like JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Diamond Hill – and held various leadership positions that have shaped who she is today.

Photos by Ray LaVoie

Local financial professionals share their stories and advice

Despite having long work days – sometimes waking up as early as 4 a.m. and working until 5 p.m. – Wesolek was always happy to have her husband, Kurt, and their two children, Alexandra and Nicholas, supporting her along the way.

Now that Alexandra and Nicholas are college graduates, Wesolek and Kurt live in Bexley. Wesolek works in New Albany at the investment management firm that she co-founded, VELA Investments. While Wesolek has learned many things over the course of her career, one lesson she hopes to instill in future financial workers is the importance of and the amount of diverse work in their field.

“There is tremendous opportunity,” Wesolek says. “The field is constantly evolving, (and) there is no shortage of investment products for professionals to find interest and niches. The field will always challenge you intellectually and stimulate your competitive juices.”

Francie Henry Regional President of Fifth Third Bank

The daughter of two Greek immigrants, Francie Henry grew up in Mount Vernon, Ohio, where she worked at her family’s restaurant.

After graduating high school, Henry was off to Miami University of Ohio where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

During her time at Miami, Henry had originally planned to visit Greece over summer break but chose not to after the Chernobyl disaster devastated much of Ukraine. As fate would have it, that summer she began work as a teller for a local bank where she stayed until college graduation.

At the end of the summer, Fifth Third Bank offered her a full-time job, where she has stayed for more than 30 years. She has held many positions in that time, including marketing coordinator and regional manager, but never let those jobs get in the way of family.

“I never got confused (about) what was the most important for me and that was being present for my family and being present for myself,” Henry says. “The professional journey either had to pause or move sideways or just, you know, take a little bit of a backseat.”

With all the hard work she put in over the years, Henry earned the title of regional president of central Ohio in 2018. But no matter what title she held or how high on the ladder she was, Henry says the relationships she’s built have always been most important.

“As important as it is to build your IQ and your competency, it’s equally important to build and grow relationships,” Henry says. “The relationship with yourself, so you’re very clear in terms of what makes you happy and what you’re good at. The relationship with others that can help you grow and mature, and the relationships that you have with your customers and your communities.”

Henry also recommends to those in the finance industry that their career is a long-term commitment.

“When things aren’t working out the way you hoped, don’t go down too low, but don’t let yourself get too high,” Henry says. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

Helga Houston Chief Risk Officer of Huntington Bank

As the mother of four boys and one girl, Helga Houston says she is “a wife and mother first,” before her job title.

But before she was a mom, Houston was born and raised in Escondido, California. Houston earned a bachelor’s

Lisa Wesolek

Francie Henry

degree in economics from Westmont College in Montecito, California, and a master’s degree from the University of Southern California.

Preceding her roughly 30-year tenure in the financial industry, Houston started her career as a real estate appraiser. As she started asking questions and learning more about how banks and financial institutions worked, she fell in love and knew she wanted to pursue it further.

As her financial career grew, so did the opportunities and the need to relocate. Houston and her family moved a total of four times before they landed in Ohio, where they have lived for the past decade.

Houston has worked for Huntington for roughly 11-anda-half years, but previously worked for several other companies, including for nearly 20 years with Bank of America.

Looking back over the years, Houston says she is glad she had the support and courage to take on her various jobs. With her experiences, Houston says she has picked up quite a few lessons along the way, too.

She says the relationships you have and the networking opportunities you can create are important, but your most important relationship is with the company you work for.

“Make sure that what you do, and the company for whom you’re working, that it really aligns to your purpose, aligns to what you believe is valuable,” she says.

Rachel Karas is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at rkaras@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Helga Houston

Photo by Ray LaVoie

New Park Options Coming Soon

2023 will be a big year for parks large and small across New Albany

While New Albany is stunning all year round, its beauty really blooms in the spring. Leaves on trees, buds on flowers, friends taking walks, families riding their bikes and everyone enjoying the city’s vast and wonderful award-winning park system.

New Albany prides itself on being home to more than 2,000 acres of green space and 55-plus miles of leisure trails. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy from walking paths to wildlife habitats and thought-provoking

historic sites. It’s exciting to note that this spring there will be new additions to welcome to our great outdoors.

Anticipation continues to build with the investment and development of the city’s largest park, Taylor Farm Park. Funding for this project stands at $2.4 million dollars. Taylor Farm Park encompasses 100 acres and is bounded by Rocky Fork Creek, Dublin-Granville Road, Harlem Road and State Route 161. It includes a former farm site that dates back to the

1800s. Nature lovers must make this site a destination, as it preserves and showcases wetlands that are home to a range of waterfowl and native plant species. Each visit to the park will bring new sights and experiences. The city’s completion goal for phase one of Taylor Farm Park is set for spring with subsequent phases to follow.

Another addition to New Albany’s park system includes honoring those who fought to preserve our freedom. As part of the second phase of Rose Run

Photos courtesy of the City of New Albany

Park, a reimagined New Albany Veterans Memorial will be built next to Founders Field, the city’s historic cemetery behind Village Hall. The memorial will add richness to the city’s green space network and will include a prominent sculptural wall that recognizes each branch

of the military, serving as a contemplative space for veterans and their families. This will be a significant and special part of the second phase of Rose Run Park, which will build upon the stream restoration, walking paths and gathering spaces that were part of the initial phase

of the park. The project is scheduled to begin construction in fall 2023.

Meanwhile, work continues on the City of New Albany’s goal to update all city-owned neighborhood parks. These parks and playgrounds are convenient, walkable and embedded into the fabric

A PROJECT OF:

ON VIEW UNTIL JUNE 30

ColumbusMakesArt.com/ArtSpot

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM:

of the community. They are places to be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. Inviting and engaging playgrounds encourage physical activity, imaginative play and social interaction. New play equipment has been installed in four neighborhood parks. The equipment has a focus on movement and contains non-prescriptive elements so children can use their imaginations to play in new ways. Shade structures, seating areas and picnic tables have also been installed to foster social interaction and give parents needed comforts while their children play. One of the most notable improvements is that all playgrounds have poured-in-place rubber surfaces that are accessible and safe for people of all ages and abilities. Two more neighborhood playgrounds are scheduled to be updated in 2023.

The City of New Albany values working with the community to connect residents to the outdoors. The park improvements that are being made today are a direct result of extensive community engagement, input and ideas received from residents during the Engage New Albany Strategic Plan and the New Albany Park Framework planning processes. This is a great example of how the community’s plans can come alive to create spaces that inspire and connect us to one another and to the outdoors.

Adrienne Joly is the City of New Albany Director of Administrative Services. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Taylor Farm Park pictured in January 2023; Completion of phase I is set for spring.

Climate Conversations is a series of temporary public art installations featuring 14 artists at 13 storefront window locations in and around downtown Columbus. The artwork, viewable 24/7, explores issues of climate change, conservation and the role of art in science communication.

CATHERINE BELL SMITH 39 E. State Street Unnatural Order

Co-directors Amy Leibrand and Stephanie Rond

Photo: Ian Crumpler | Design: Formation Studio

Photo courtesy of the City of New Albany

Playing it Forward

Soccer league supports high school athletes with scholarships

By Claire Miller

The New Albany Adult Co-Ed Soccer League is all about fun – and a good cause.

The nonprofit league, which was co-founded by current president Jam Khorrami in 2004. Since 2019, it has been using its excess funds to provide scholarships to high school soccer players living in New Albany.

Alex Lowery, a board member who has played with the adult league for 13 years, had the idea to give back to the community. He wanted to use the money they collect from players in a constructive way.

“Our only expenses are field rental and everything else goes into the scholarships,” Lowery says. “So, our players

Jam Khorrami (from left), Alex Lowery and Cathy Ellwood honor 2021-22 scholarship recipients, Ella Murphy, Derrick Harris, Ashley Klinger and Henri Heyes. Recipients not pictured are Kameron Kist and Oliver Kush.

have ownership in this and they really have taken ownership of it. They really enjoy it.”

Since 2019, the league has awarded a total of $16,500 to 19 student athletes.

The league plays on Saturday afternoons at Bevelhymer Field in spring and fall. Seasons are nine games long and typically consist of four to six teams with players’ ages ranging from 18 to 60.

“I typically refer to it as a glorified pickup game with two refs,” Lowery says.

There is no championship. Lowery quotes another player, who astutely explained why.

“As soon as we register, everyone wins because we’re supporting scholarships,” he says.

Any high school senior living in New Albany that plays on a school or club soccer team can apply for the scholarship. Because the city of New Albany is expanding, the league is including more school districts.

The relationship between New Albany-Plain Local School District and

the adult league is strong, according to athletic director Richard Wildenhaus.

“We value the partnership we have with the New Albany Adult Co-Ed Soccer organization,” Wildenhaus says.

“The two entities have a true partnership for our students in an effort to provide them with opportunities to succeed.”

The New Albany Adult Co-Ed Soccer League has donated over 1,200 pounds on non-perishable items to the New Albany Food Pantry.

Photos courtesy of Alex Lowery

Two scholarship recipients from New Albany High School who have continued on to play soccer at the collegiate level are Denison University freshman Henri Heyes and University of Oklahoma sophomore Kelis Brown.

Heyes played center back during his first season at Denison and is majoring in global commerce and financial economics and minoring in Chinese.

“All the effort you put in training every day, to get to keep playing in college and then to receive a scholarship like that, it just gives me a sense of validation,” Heyes says. “That all the work that I’ve done has paid off a little bit and it not only contributes to helping me pay off college, but it helps with everything in the future.”

Brown is pre-law and is majoring in political science. She says she put her scholarship toward fees, housing and her meal plan her freshman year.

“It is just such a touching thing to be recognized by the community,” Brown says. “And (realizing) the impact that you have on the community as an athlete and even younger people who get to look up to you and strive for the same thing. For example, my little sister was at the ceremony when I won the award and I think things like that make her realize she can do the same thing if she works hard and really gives an effort.”

The scholarship application opens March 1 and submissions are due by April 14. The ceremony to an -

Register Here

nounce the winners is on May 24. Last year, the league gave out six $1,000 scholarships.

“I have the opportunity to speak to the scholarship winners,” Lowery says. “It’s rather heartwarming to hear that, … for instance, one student said, ‘I don’t have to worry about where I’m going to get money for books for the upcoming freshman year.’ Another student says that they could leave their summer job early and spend more time with their family. These little stories resonate and it’s very nice to see that.”

Registration for the adult league’s spring season, which runs April 1 to June 3, is open now. You can register at www.naparks.org/custom_pages/ 4898/co-ed-soccer. The league is open

Photos courtesy of Alex Lowery

to all experience levels and all ages, 18 and up.

In addition to its scholarship program, the league donates to the Healthy New Albany Food Pantry each year through a competition between teams. The team that donates the most food receives a trophy. The players have donated over 1,200 pounds of non-perishable items.

“We are so grateful to the New Albany Adult Co-Ed Soccer League for the donation drives they have done for the New Albany Food Pantry over the years,” Rachel Jaffy, food pantry manager, says. “The donation drives have helped raise awareness of the pantry and the ongoing need for donations to support us throughout the year as the needs of those in our community grow.”

The New Albany Adult Co-Ed Soccer League gives back to the community and comes together on Saturdays for the love and enjoyment of the game. Lowery says it’s a great environment for families and children, and for all skill levels – from true beginners to professionals – as two members of the Columbus Crew showed up to play in a game last year.

Claire Miller is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at cmiller@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Designer Tip:

With cabinetry we are still seeing the classic whites and mixing in more fun colors adding personality and more interest to the space. But in 2023 people will be gravitating back towards wood stains instead of all painted. I love mixing in different colors, finishes, and textures, bringing in wood grains are a great way to do that!

Amber Bolin Interior Designer Dave Fox Design|Build Remodelers

Making a Habit of Health

CNN Global economic analyst and writer comes to the McCoy Center

By Katie Giffin

On March 8, New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist Rana Foroohar will interview Arthur Laffer and Robert Reich as part of New Albany’s Lecture Series presented by the New Albany Community Foundation.

Foroohar worked as a foreign affairs editor and foreign correspondent at Newsweek for 13 years where she was awarded the German Marshall Fund’s Peter R. Weitz Prize for transatlantic reporting. After her time at Newsweek, Foroohar became the assistant managing editor and economic columnist at TIME Magazine for six years. She’s received awards from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Affairs and the East-West Center, sits on the advisory board of the Open Markets Institute and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Foroohar is now a global business columnist and associate editor at the Financial Times and works as a global economic analyst at CNN.

Although Foroohar’s extensive credits speak to her skill in the field of journalism, this career was not always her goal.

“I was an accidental journalist, to be honest. When I went to Columbia University, I studied pre-med and … English. I decided medicine wasn’t for me and so I graduated and needed to get a job and ended up in magazines,” Foroohar says. “The thing that really stuck with me was the fact that, in this profession, you are able to wake up every day and be curious about something new. That is an incredible privilege.”

In 2016, Foroohar wrote her first book, Makers and Takers: The Rise of Finance and the Fall of American Business. She was inspired after she returned to the U.S. in financial crisis after working as a foreign correspondent in Europe. Her experience as a journalist

and economic writer gave her a fresh, global perspective on a rising problem.

Foroohar has since written two more books, Don’t Be Evil: How Big Tech Betrayed Its Founding Principles – and All of Us, published in 2019, and

Homecoming: The Path to Prosperity in a Post-Global World, published in 2022. After publishing her first book, Foroohar became a columnist at Financial Times Between being an author, editor and column writer and making regular

Photo courtesy of Nicole Klett-Angel

television, radio and podcast appearances, Foroohar is also a mother and a wife. On the morning of her interview with Healthy New Albany, she woke up at 5:45 a.m. to get on a conference call with a company in London at 6 a.m. Then, she made lunch for her 16-year-old son before sending him to school. Despite her packed schedule, Foroohar still prioritizes her health through exercise, meditation, breathing exercises and chanting.

“Exercise has always been super-duper important to me – it’s like brushing my teeth, I can’t function without it. I consider it something that is non-negotiable,” Foroohar says. “If I am working so hard … where I can’t work out for two or three days, I will feel it and my productivity will go down, so I make a real effort and I make no apologies.”

Foroohar’s commitment to regular exercise is what allows her to show up fully, day in and day out.

“I feel like I have a finite number of hours in a day where I can be productive. So if I am going over, I am less productive; whereas, if I am actually investing that time in taking care of myself, I am more productive,” she says.

Foroohar shares that meditating twice a day for 15-20 minutes and doing chanting exercises allows her to reframe her work day.

“It’s really easy … to get your head so into what you’re doing that you forget there is a bigger world out there,” she says.

By meditating regularly, Foroohar maintains perspective about what she believes is truly important: friends, family and the great outdoors.

In 2008, when Foroohar returned from her work in Europe as a foreign correspondent, she attended a Kripalu yoga retreat in the Berkshires. At this meditation retreat, practitioners gave up coffee and alcohol and meditated for hours a day.

“It was interesting because I began to notice that all those substances – and even the ‘substance’ of business – were sort of like a scrim that had been lifted. I felt a lot more peace and focus and clarity and I really liked that feeling,” Foroohar says. “Now I talk with friends … who are serious meditators … and we sometimes meditate and chant together.”

Foroohar’s physical practice of yoga and meditation extends to improving her mental health by remembering to slow down instead of always pushing herself.

“I realized there were certain things my body could do but that I wasn’t really mentally ready to do or emotionally ready to do, you know, standing on my head for example,” she says. “I could do it, but there was fear associated with it. I got some injuries related to that and it forced me to slow down and as I recovered, my impulse is always to do something, go see a doctor, do more exercise, do more stretching, and I finally, after traversing traditional medicine, alternative medicine, I found a practitioner of the Alexander technique.”

Observation and greater awareness of her body, through the technique, have proved helpful for Foroohar.

In March, Foroohar will head to the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts to moderate a conversation between former secretary of labor, Robert Reich, and former presidential advisor, Arthur Laffer.

“These are two folks that have very interesting perspec-

tives on the last few decades of economic history,” Foroohar says. “They are coming from different political angles but they’ve both been witnesses to history and have shaped history in a lot of ways.”

Foroohar says she looks forward to discussing modern issues and hear Reich and Laffer’s thoughts on the state of the national and global economy.

“We are really at an economic pivot point,” she says. “A lot is changing in the global economy, in national politics, in society and technology, so I am definitely looking to help … tease out where we’ve been, where we’re going and what that’s going to mean for countries, companies (and) communities.”

The Speakers

Secretary of labor during the Clinton administration and named one of the 10 most effective cabinet secretaries of the 20th century by TIME Magazine, Robert Reich is a best-selling author, economist and professor. In 2015, Reich founded Inequality Media. He is the co-creator of the award-winning documentaries Inequality for All and Saving Capitalism

Arthur Laffer is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and served as an adviser to Ronald Reagan during his presidency. He is a renowned economist and is known for the development of the “Laffer curve” economics concept. Laffer is also an author and founder of Laffer Associates.

Katie Giffin is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

Robert Reich

Dr. Arthur Laffer

Photo courtesy of Kore Chan

Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Another Remarkable

The New Albany Community Foundation’s 20th annual Remarkable Evening benefit was held Dec. 7 and featured Mark T. Esper, former United States secretary of defense, and Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, in a conversation moderated by ABC News anchor Linsey Davis.

More than 500 guests attended the event, which was held in the New Albany International Business Park in a new building constructed by VanTrust Real Estate. Proceeds from the evening benefit community projects and organizations.

The event also included the announcement of the 2022 Jeanne and John G. McCoy Community Service Award recipient, Colleen Briscoe. Briscoe was elected mayor of New Albany in 1995 and served eight years as mayor and another 18 years as a member of New Albany City Council.

Photos by James DeCamp

Dr. Andy Thomas, Jeri Block, Bob Schottenstein and Kenny McDonald

Foundation Board Member Helga Houston presents Colleen Briscoe with the 2022 Jeanne and John G. McCoy Community Service Award

Dr. Jonathan and Marcy Schaffir and Kimberly, Carter and Marc Minor

Latisha Woods, Sandy and Antonio Toledo and Tom Rubey

Kumi Walker and Tanny Crane

Steve Scarpitti, Jodi Bates, K.C. Berry, Colleen Briscoe, Bob Berry, Bill Briscoe, Dorcas Briscoe, Heidi Scarpitti

Phil and Sheryl Heit

Paul Judge and Marc Reitter

By Kobe Collins

Standing Out in an Outstanding Crowd

New Albany Chamber of Commerce presents award to senior leader

In a community that continually brings out the best in its students, earning the Outstanding Student Award from the New Albany Chamber of Commerce is no easy feat.

New Albany senior Thomas Bohman received the award at the annual meeting and award ceremony in December.

“It was definitely a, ‘Woah, this just happened’ moment,” Bohman says. “It was the little things. I don’t think it was any one major thing I did, … it was what I try to do on a day-today basis.”

The award is one of eight Delta Awards given out annually to highlight and honor businesses and community leaders across New Albany.

According to the New Albany Chamber of Commerce, the Outstanding Student Award recognizes students who are, “... widely recognized by teachers and students for taking initiative, embracing leadership roles, and engaging in service to the community.”

Throughout high school, Bohman participated in football and baseball while maintaining above-average grades and building meaningful friendships. His influence as a student and community leader was recognized by school staff and would lead to his nomination for the award.

“The biggest thing that I’m the most proud of receiving this award is the little things,” Bohman says. “The big things don’t matter if I’m not present to the person in front of me. Even if it’s just passing someone in the hallway.”

To Bohman, the “little things” refers to his attitude of kindness through all of his actions. While it can be easy to get caught up in difficult moments and overlook the little but positive details, Bohman says he pays attention to those details through his faith. That attitude is exemplified through his desire and ability to befriend fellow students from all walks of life at New Albany High School.

“There’s the football guys, the baseball guys, my friends from classes and hobbies,” says Bohman. “It’s really awesome to be inserted into a diverse group of students. … It’s super fun to see all sides of the high school experience through my friends.”

The New Albany-Plain Local School District exists with the purpose “to create a culture of accountability that achieves the best academic and

Photos courtey of Thomas Bohman

Thomas Bohman attends the Chamber of Commerce Delta Awards with (left to right) mom Martha Bohman, dad Steve Bohman, NAPLS Superintendent Michael Sawyers and NAHS Principal Kenneth Kraemer.

Bohman (54) taking the field during Friday night football.

developmental outcomes for each student,” according to its website. Though the word accountability is often associated with discipline, New Albany redefines what accountability can mean. With programs and awards like the New Albany Chamber of Commerce Delta Awards, the business community and school district partner is creating a unique opportunity to showcase positive accountability.

“I was extremely honored to receive the award,” Bohman says. “I’m just happy to see what I’ve been doing has an impact on other people. It definitely encourages me to continue those actions and hopefully encourage other people to do the same.”

As Bohman nears the end of his high school career, he’s excited to see how his future unfolds, and how the

skills and values he’s learned at NAPLS will inform life outside of New Albany. He hopes to attend school at the University of Notre Dame or take a step into missionary work. Even as big decisions lay ahead of him, Bohman continues to work on his attitude of kindness.

Outside of sports, Bohman also chases an array of different passions. As a student, he learned to enjoy learning, especially about topics such as anatomy, physics, language arts and reading. Outside of school, he finds ways to recharge from busy student life by working out, reading and spending time with friends. Bohman also enjoys tapping into his creative side through drawing.

Bohman credits his faith and family for the Delta Award win. He says that being raised by parents who instilled strong values shaped him into the person he is today. As Bohman enters into a new period of life toward college, mission work and a bright future, he acts as an example of a positive attitude and being present.

“Go out and have fun, and invite other people into that joy,” Bohman says. “It’s not about the things of this world, but about living for others.”

Kobe Collins is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

The Bohman family (left to right): Jay, Megan, Tom, Ben, Cara, Martha, Steve, Kate and Michael

Bohman winds up to pitch for New Albany.

impact by Kerri L. Mollard

Saving Lives with CPR and AEDs

Plain Township Fire Department ready to act in emergencies

On Jan. 2, the country watched in anguish as medical crews raced to the aid of football player Damar Hamlin, a Buffalo Bills player who collapsed during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Their swift response is credited with saving his life. Ever since that game, our collective awareness of the importance of CPR has been heightened.

While our lives don’t play out on ESPN, we do have medical crews waiting on the sidelines here, too. The firefighterparamedics of the Plain Township Fire Department (PTFD) are always ready to respond with the same speed and expertise that we witnessed on TV.

I sat down with Fire Chief Pat Connor and Lt. Mark Powell to talk about the importance of CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of an AED, which is a portable automated external defibrillator that shocks a life-threatening heart rhythm. They shared that “lives are being saved in public because of chest compressions and early defibrillation.”

The first thing they want the community to understand is that CPR is no longer done with mouth-to-mouth breathing protocols.

“The science has changed,” Powell says, and CPR is now hands-only. The goal is fast, adequate chest compressions to keep the blood moving through the body to oxygenate the brain and heart.

The PTFD follows the American Heart Association (AHA) protocol of 100 to 120 compressions per minute – push hard and fast with one hand placed over the other at the center of the chest. Connor says to match the beat of the aptly titled song, “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees with your compressions.

According to the AHA, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital setting every year.

All PTFD firefighters are certified paramedics, which means they can provide the highest level of pre-hospital emer-

Firefighter-paramedics Nick Kidd (from left), Bryan Cantrell, Stephanie Lambert and Beau Zierk

Photos courtey of Mark Powell

to DNR, which is a “do not resuscitate” order. If a loved one has a DNR, then family members must have a copy readi-

ly available to present to the paramedics.

“Our duty is to act,” Powell says. “We have to make decisions within seconds of our arrival.”

Here’s what they want the community to do if someone collapses or becomes unresponsive.

• Call 911.

• Check for a pulse and signs of breathing.

• Begin chest compressions and don’t stop until the paramedics arrive.

• Stay calm, the 911 dispatcher will stay on the line with you.

To learn more, visit the AHA website at cpr.heart.org or the Plain Township Fire Department at plaintownship.org.

Kerri L. Mollard is a Plain Township Trustee. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

gency care. Every response vehicle in the department is equipped with either an AED or state-of-the-art heart monitor, which improves victim survivability when minutes matter. Our medics are “rolling emergency rooms,” Connor says.

Powell shared that AEDs analyze the rhythm and identify whether a shock is necessary.

“Sometimes,” he says, “it’s not appropriate to defibrillate, and that’s where our training comes in.”

In fact, every firefighter is required to be certified in advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support. That training is put to the test every day in our community. In 2022, PTFD had 2,922 runs, and of those, 1,995 were EMS.

They want the community to know that they are ready to sustain life in an emergency and they hope every citizen learns CPR.

“We had a 55-plus community (members) call us after that football game,” Powell says. “We’re going to provide CPR training in their clubhouse.”

Any neighborhood or community group is welcome to contact the department to ask about training, because “if high-quality compressions are begun before we arrive,” Connor says, “the chance of survival increases significantly.”

Lastly, they also want the community to understand the protocols related

Battalion Chief Travis Dudley (left) and Lt. Beau Zierk

food By Claire Miller

All A-Board

A freeform charcuterie board for all diets

The word charcuterie, which translates literally to “products of a fancy pork butcher,” has origins dating back to 15th century France. In French, charcuterie means deli, hence why a charcuterie board most often centers on a pleasing display of meats and cheeses.

Not everyone eats meat, dairy or gluten, but that doesn’t have to stop them from enjoying an alternative charcuterie board that still maintains the original spirit. This vegan and gluten-free board is inclusive to all diets.

Photo courtesy of Rachel Karas

Chocolove dark chocolate

Wild Harvest dried sweetened cranberries

Blue Diamond smokehouse almonds

Daiya cheddar-style block and smoked Gouda-style block

Divina organic pitted green olives

Good Health gluten-free pretzels

Fruit Bliss organic dried figs

Sabra roasted red pepper hummus

Simple Mills almond flour crackers

Blue Diamond sriracha almond Nut-Thins

By Claire Miller

Why Weight?

Investments and options in class of weight loss drugs showing efficacy

Obesity-related health complications cost the United States health care system over $173 billion per year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seventy-three percent of American adults over age 20 are overweight, while 42 percent are obese, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The good news is, because of the prevalence and breadth of obesity, scientific breakthroughs are close to tackling the issue. One of the most recent and promising avenues is through the class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists.

For the past 15 years, glucagonlike peptide 1 agonists have been widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The medicine is typically administered through a daily or weekly injection. GLP-1 is a hormone produced in the gut and released in response to food intake. According to the Society of Endocrinology, it causes reduced appetite and the release of insulin.

According to Yale Medicine, individuals with type 2 diabetes give off less GLP-1 in reaction to eating compared to those without. Similarly, experts believe the same thing is true for individuals with obesity.

Because of this link, many GLP-1 agonists show success as weight loss drugs, as a common side effect of the diabetes drugs is weight loss.

In 2017, semaglutide, also known as Ozempic, was approved for diabetes treatment. In recent months, Ozempic has become the latest fad in dieting, as doctors prescribe it off label for weight loss, leading to shortages of the diabetes medication.

Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, announced it would invest $1.6 billion to expand capacity and address the shortage.

In June 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy – the first drug approved since 2014 – for chronic weight management in adults. It can be used to help treat

general overweight and obesity with at least one weight-related condition, which includes high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.  Wegovy is also semaglutide, just administered at a higher dose.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, injectable semaglutide eliminates the strict guidelines for ingesting on an empty stomach – required by oral semaglutide – while the higher-dose Wegovy allows for better crossing of the blood-brain barrier, which increases its weight-loss efficacy.

In a March 2021 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, once weekly injection of semaglutide of adults with obesity and without diabetes had a mean weight loss of 14.9 percent in the 68-week trial. Eighty-six percent of participants had at least 5 percent weight loss.

“Weight loss with semaglutide stems from a reduction in energy intake owing to decreased appetite, which is

thought to result from direct and indirect effects on the brain,” the study, OnceWeekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity, states.

According to the results of the study, weight loss with semaglutide was greater than with the placebo regarding improvements to cardiometabolic risk factors, which include reductions in waist circumference, lipid levels, blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin levels. It also decreased C-reaction protein more, which is a marker of inflammation.

There are several diabetes medications that, at higher doses, are prescribed for weight loss or are in the process of being approved. Liraglutide is sold as Victoza for diabetes, and a higher dose, Saxenda, for weight loss.

Tirzepatide, which is expected to gain FDA approval for weight loss this year, is already approved and sold under the name Mounjaro for diabetes, as of May 2022. The GIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonist is in phase 3

development and results are anticipated in 2023. GIP is a hormone that may complement the effects of GLP-1.

Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly was granted Fast Track designation by the FDA in October 2022 to investigate tirzepatide for the treatment of adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. Fast Track designation is granted to expedite the review of medicines for serious conditions and fill unmet medical needs, according to Eli Lilly. The phase 3 clinical trial of a high dose of tirzepatide led to participants losing 22.5 percent of body weight on average.

According to an estimate from Bank of America analyst Geoff Meacham, as reported by NBC News, annual sales of tirzepatide could hit a record $48 billion.

One of the largest barriers to access for weight-specific medications is cost. The Affordable Care Act doesn’t require insurance companies to cover obesity-related medication or surgeries.

GLP-1 agonists are long-term treatments for both diabetes and weight loss and are intended to be potentially lifelong medications, meaning there can be a significant or insurmountable cost to treatment. Wegovy costs around $1,627 a month before insurance, according to GoodRx.

While these drugs are approved or in the process of being approved by the FDA and offer potentially promising results for people struggling with weight loss and the obesity epidemic in the U.S. as a whole, it’s always important to talk with your doctor before you embark on a weight loss program of your own. Watch for more news on these groundbreaking medications in years to come.

Claire Miller is an editor at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at cmiller@cityscenemediagroup.com.

New Albany: The Heartbeat of Pelotonia

Longstanding partnership with event, city strong as ever

Celebrating its 15th year, Pelotonia shares a longstanding and meaningful connection with New Albany, contributing more than 150 volunteers and 405 New Albany riders that collectively raised nearly $1.3 million for the event in 2022. Joe Apgar, Pelotonia president, shared his genuine enthusiasm and appreciation for the partnership, recognizing that the community has been an instrumental piece of Pelotonia from the beginning.

“New Albany is part of the heartbeat of Pelotonia,” he says.

There are many reasons that the partnership has blossomed, not the least of which is that New Albany quickly became the best place to learn to ride a road bike.

“Well-maintained roads make for excellent routes and the culture supports and fosters cycling enthusiasts,” Apgar says. “People are always out cycling, the Heit Center to Denison is a popular training ground, and the police force is amazing and accommodating to cyclists.”

One recurring theme in speaking with Pelotonia leadership is their genuine appreciation for New Albany Police officers and New Albany leadership.

“It’s not easy to have Pelotonia come through your town, but we have tremendous gratitude for the support we receive from New Albany, especially the NAPD. It wouldn’t happen without your support,” Apgar says.

As a cancer survivor, thankful to be celebrating 15 years cancer free,

“I borrowed a bike to ride 100 miles in my first Pelotonia in 2011 and it changed my life,” he says.

Pelotonia reminds him that there’s a huge community of people out there that care.

“I feel honored to do the work, and it’s so fun,” Apgar says. “I’ve met and developed so many relationships with people, seen the treatments improve and seen people survive because of the work and the support.”

Apgar says his life was forever changed by being diagnosed with cancer around age 22.

“In many ways the best thing that ever happened was that I was diag-

Apgar shares what Pelotonia means to him.

Photo courtesy of Pelotonia

nosed at a young age,” he says. “I don’t take things for granted. I appreciate the simple things. It changed my perspective on what I want to pursue with my career and inspired me to use my skills to give back and empower people. … That’s what Pelotonia does. … Cancer is hopeless. Pelotonia is empowering! It provides an opportunity to take some action.”

An exciting milestone in Pelotonia history, the ride crossed $250 million raised during ride weekend 2022. Even with a milestone of more than a quarter billion dollars raised for cancer research, the northstar for Pelotonia remains to end cancer. All funds raised go to cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). The OSUCCC – James is the third-largest cancer center in the United States, filled with world class researchers and more than 200 oncologists, each of whom specializes in just one type of cancer.

“It’s a tremendous resource to have in our backyard,” Apgar says.

Highlighting one special group of local New Albany riders, Girls with Gears was founded 14 years ago as a peloton team by three local New Albany co-chairs: Lisa Hinson, Hope Wolman and Lesley Sowle. Hinson attended her first peloton event as a spectator, but left with over 1,000 photos and tremendous inspiration.

“I left that day saying, ‘I gotta do this.’ I didn’t know how to cycle and didn’t really want to wear spandex, but it was so motivating and inspirational,” Hinson says. “I was sure there were others that wanted to get involved.’”

Girls with Gears is a grassroots cycling group with over 63 members from across central Ohio. Participating in Pelotonia for the last 14 years, the group will surpass $1.5 million raised for cancer research in 2023. Girls with Gears builds community among cyclists of all skill levels. They are an all-volunteer organization whose members support one another in the pursuit of individual cycling and fitness goals while facilitating cycling educa-

tion and safety and providing social and health education opportunities – all in the name of cancer research.

Hinson has a close and personal interest in riding to support cancer research. She underwent surgery in 2018 for cervical cancer and has lost family members to cancer.

The energy of their group and love of the “scene” keeps the ladies coming back to the Heit Center every Tuesday and Saturday for the last 14 years.

“The New Albany cycling community is a force! It’s robust, diverse and fun, with people of all skill levels. I’m very proud of New Albany and our engagement in Pelotonia. I’m proud of our sponsors and riders and I’m very grateful to the New Albany Police Department, they look out for us and keep us safe,” Hinson says.

Pelotonia has become part of the fabric of New Albany, and 2023 will prove to be another exciting year for the event. In addition to special 15-year anniversary plans, and a bright and bold new marketing campaign, Pelotonia 2023 will include a 25-mile route ending in Pickerington, a 100-mile route that finishes at Kenyon College and a new 50-mile route with an exciting finish in New Albany! Soon to be revealed is also a new 2023 premier cycling event that will take place outside of Columbus. Stay tuned for details.

For more information about the event visit pelotonia.org.

Angela Douglas is the executive director of Healthy New Albany.

Above and below, Girls with Gears before and during a training ride.

Photos courtesy of Girls with Gears

MOVEMENT

Tuesdays & Thursdays

March 14 - April 27 (6-week series)

6th - 7th graders • 3:30 - 4:15 pm

8th - 10th graders • 2:45 - 3:30 pm

Philip Heit Center - OSU Fitness Center

INTEGRATIVE

CARE

Thursdays (1st &

March 2, March 16

April 6, April 20

Philip

Center

Restorative Energy Flow

Wednesday March 15 • 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Philip Heit Center

Yoga Foundations

Mondays • 10:00 - 11:00 am

April 3 - May 15 (7-week series)

Philip Heit Center or Virtual

Restorative Meditation

Mondays • 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

April 3 - April 24 (4-week series)

Phillip Heit Center

Chair Yoga

Tuesdays • 10:00 - 11:00 am

April 4 - May 16 (7-week series)

Philip Heit Center or Virtual

March & April, 2023

NOURISH

Tex Mex

Sunday March 5 • 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Philip Heit Center - Demo Kitchen

Cooking with Confidence: Sauces

Thursday March 9 • 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Philip Heit Center - Demo Kitchen

Cooking without a Recipe

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The Power of Plants

NATURE

Rewild Child

Wednesdays • AM & PM options

March 22 - Maple Syrup Makers

April 12 - Mud Bakers

April 26 - Tree Experts

May 10 - Bridge Builders

Swickard Woods / Wexner Pavilion

Ages: Pre-K and Kindergarteners

Yuck!

Thursdays • 4:00 - 5:30 pm

March 16 - The Stinkiest Animals

April 6 - Mud Cake Bakery

April 20 - The Hole in the Tree: A Mystery

May 4 - Plants that Fight Back!

Philip Heit Center + Outdoor Areas

Ages: 1st - 3rd Grades

Card Play Tuesdays

Tuesdays (weekly) • 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Wednesday Clubs

2nd & 4th Wednesdays - Mexican Train

Dominoes • 12:30 - 3:30pm

3rd Wednesdays - Book Club • 12:00 pm

Thursday Connections

Thursdays

Tech Tutorials

First Fridays (monthly) • 3:00 - 4:00 pm

Brunch & Bingo

Sundays • 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

March 19

April 23

SC at Night

"Irish Sips & Stories"

Wednesday March 1 • 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Men's Club

3rd Wednesdays • 6:30 - 8:00 pm

March 15

April 19

By Dianna Spencer, Librarian, Columbus Metropolitan Library New Albany Branch

Healthy New Albany Bookshelf Reviews

Sit Up Straight: Futureproof Your Body Against Chronic Pain with 12 Simple Movements

by Vinh Pham, 2022

Physical therapist Vinh Pham wants us to consider adding a new step to our daily routine – posture hygiene. With the goal of preventing the chronic back pain that plagues so many, Pham has developed a routine of 12 stretches that act to keep our spines working properly in the same way that brushing and flossing stave off tooth decay. As an added bonus, it should only take about 15 minutes and no equipment is required. With his extensive knowledge of how our bodies are supposed to move and his experience helping hundreds of patients, Pham created a carefully considered routine for those who want to regain mobility and reduce and prevent pain. Each stretch is clearly explained and photographed, and Pham includes a section of common ailments and which exercises to focus on for relief. It’s a fact that we sit more than our bodies are designed to, but with this quick preventive routine, we don’t have to suffer for it.

The Neuroscience of You

by Chantel Prat, Ph.D., 2022

Knowing yourself and understanding how your mind works can provide useful insights for mental well-being. Most scientists studying the brain tend to focus on how brains work “on average,” but Chantel Prat feels that our focus on what is considered normal has led us further from understanding the magic of the human brain. In her new book, she wants to show you more than how brains work – she wants to show you how your brain works. Her excitement is infectious as she moves through the different ways human brains are engineered to how those design differences change how our brains function. From how we focus, adapt, navigate, explore and connect, each section provides captivating insights into the way we work. Prat uses real world examples plus self-scored quizzes and assessments to help you understand your own brain’s unique habits. Humorous and informative, The Neuroscience of You is a delightful romp through the mysteries of our gray matter.

Strong and Lean: 9-Minute Daily Workouts to Build Your Best Body

by Mark Lauren, 2021

In his follow-up title to You Are Your Own Gym, Mark Lauren aims to create an exercise program that minimizes

time and maximizes results. As a former U.S. Military Special Operations physical trainer, Lauren developed a body weight-only training program and wrote a best-selling book which took him around the world. His global experiences led him to develop a new functional training program focused on moving and using the body as a cohesive whole, all while managing to bypass the major obstacles we have to fitness – time, space and money. Using three types of movement (floor, mobility and standing exercise) and just nine minutes, each of the four six-week routines prepares you for the next, helping you to build strength, flexibility and endurance. Strong and Lean shares this program with clear instruction alongside hundreds of illustrations.

Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating

by Christy Harrison, 2019

Market research in 2016 by The NPD Group found that 68 percent of Americans have dieted before, and in 2019 the diet industry was estimated to be worth $72 billion. But studies have also shown that 90 percent of people who have lost weight through dieting have ultimately gained that weight back. If dieting isn’t effective, why do we put so much energy, money and effort into doing it? Registered dietitian and nutritionist Christy Harrison wrote this 2019 title to bring light to diet culture in America and how we absorb ideas about thinness, health, moral virtue and status that impact how we relate to our bodies and food. For some people, it becomes all-consuming, and the diet industry makes billions off of our insecurities all while presenting itself as “health and wellness.” Based on research, her personal experiences with food and stories from her clients, Harrison presents intuitive eating as an alternative to dieting and helps us to leave behind the idea that thin bodies are the only healthy ones. In fact, when people let go of the idea of eating “perfectly” and instead pay attention to and honor their body’s signals, their health often improves. This eye-opening book makes great reading for those interested in reframing their ideas about health, food and wellness.

PlantYou by Carleigh Bodrug, 2022

When Carleigh Bodrug adopted a plant-based diet, she was thrilled with how her body felt, but less than excited by the overly complicated and, at times, unappealing recipes she was finding online. She began develop-

ing her own recipes – meals that would be enticing to someone used to a meat and potatoes diet – and shared them online. Her social media following exploded and her simple, infographic-based recipes gained massive popularity. Whether you are looking to bring plants to the forefront of your diet or just want some simple but delicious meals, PlantYou offers recipes that are flavor forward. With breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, Bodrug has something for everyone including dressings, sauces and sides, without having to make complicated ingredient swaps. Crisp, clear photography and her signature infographics make every recipe feel attainable – and appealing.

Breathe In, Breathe Out

by Stuart Sandeman 2022

Stuart Sandeman came to breathwork after experiencing the loss of a loved one. Previously a skeptic, Stuart had a life-changing experience during a breathwork class he attended after the death of his girlfriend. Awakened to the possibilities of how breathing can help people to release and process emotions, Sandeman has devoted his life to helping others improve their health and wellness through breath. In his book, he shares his experiences as a breath coach, the scientific research behind why breathwork is beneficial as well as the spiritual benefits. Readers will learn over 30 exercises with clear instructions and explanations. Breathing is something we can easily take for granted, but with Sandeman’s intentional exercises, you’ll gain awareness of your breath and how it influences your mind and body.

Ellington EllingtonPrice Price Still Still

All concerts are held at the McCoy Center for the Arts

Top homes sold in New Albany

In December 2022, New Albany home prices were up 18.7 percent compared to 2021, selling for a median price of $730K. On average, homes in New Albany sell after 43 days on the market compared to 39 days in 2021. There were 11 homes sold in December this year, down from 21 last year. The average sale price per square foot is $225, up 10.3 percent since last year. (Data from Redfin)

Scene in New Albany

Maria Ressa

Photo by James DeCamp

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growth

New Albany Senior Connections is dedicated the health, and empowerment of New Albany area seniors (age 55+) by providing a variety of programs that focus on social, physical and emotional wellbeing.