Pickerington Magazine February/March 2014 by CityScene Media Group

50 Sports ■ 18,000 Athletes ■ Fitness EXPO Nation’s Largest Multi-Sport Festival

Feb. 27 - March 2, 2014 Columbus, Ohio USA

arnoldsportsfestival.com

inside

Feb/March 2014 4 Calendar 5 News and Information from the City of Pickerington 7 News and Information from Violet Township 10

p.12

faces From Stage to Studio

International dancers embark on teaching endeavor

in focus Not Just Fighting Fires

Violet Township Fire Department supports cancer-stricken colleague

on the table Cheese the Day

Gourmet grilled cheese joint opens first central Ohio shop in Pickerington

p.14

bookmarks www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Spring is on its way!

KARA | TEACHER /CHOCOLATE LOVER/MUSCLE MOLDER

FREE KIT

(FREE GLOVES, WRAPS, KEYCHAIN, TITLE BAG, AND FREE PERSONAL TRAINING SESSION) With one year membership. Can't be combined with other offers. Exp. 3/31/14

YOU DON’T ACTUALLY FIGHT BUT YOU MAY

CRY UNCLE!

Look and feel your best with 3 Power Hour Sessions for just $225

Rid your body of toxins, super condition your skin and lose inches! Each Power Hour includes an Ultra Detox Wrap, a 30 minute Sauna Sessions and an Ionic Foot Detox. Save $60 on the 3 pack! For the perfect finishing touch, add on a gorgeous Custom Airbrush Tan for just $25! Exp. 03/31/14 Body Wraps ● Detox ● Skin Care ● Tanning Yoga ● Faster EFT ● Massage ● Reﬂexology ● Nails

201 Clint Dr., Ste. 700 Pickerington, OH

614.367.7237

www.allveraofpickerington.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

community calendar Mark your calendar for these community events FEBRUARY 2014 Feb. 1 Pickerington Community Theatre presents Variety Show 6 p.m. Pickerington Christian Church, 575 Diley Rd., www.pick eringtoncommunitytheatre.org Enjoy an an evening of singing, dancing, comedy, monologues and more at the second annual variety show. Feb. 8 Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner 5-10 p.m., Hickory Lakes, 12495 Ault Rd., www.pickerintonchamber.com The Chamber’s annual dinner, this year with a Mardi Gras theme, features the presentation of the Business of the Year, New Business of the Year and Doug Barr awards. Feb. 14 Singing Valentines 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m., throughout Pickerington, www.pickerington. k12.oh.us Anyone interested in sending a Valentine’s Day message to a special someone can hire the Pickerington High School North choir to sing a song and present a card, a balloon and candy for a donation to the school’s music boosters.

Feb. 15 Let the Games Begin 1:30-3:30 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org The library celebrates the Winter Olympic Games with an afternoon of fun activities. Feb. 15 Comedy Night 7 p.m., Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd., www. pickerington.k12.oh.us The sixth annual Comedy Night at North is an evening of comedian performances and is hosted by the school’s music boosters. Feb. 18 PPL Book Club 7-8:30 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org The book club discusses A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy. Feb. 22 Winter Bird Hike 1-2:30 p.m., Pickerington Ponds Metro Park, 7680 Wright Rd., www.metroparks.net The Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District presents the first conservation bird hike.

Feb. 25 Not Your Mother’s Library Book Club 7-8 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www. pickeringtonlibrary.org The library’s special book club discusses The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Feb. 25 Violet Township Women’s League: Volunteering 7:15 p.m., American Legion Post 283, 7725 Refugee Rd., www.vtwl.org Rebecca Verhoff of HandsOn Central Ohio discusses volunteering opportunities at the league’s monthly meeting. Refreshments precede the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27-March 2 Arnold Sports Festival Throughout Columbus, www.arnoldsportsfestival.com The country’s biggest multi-sport festival returns to Columbus. New events this year include tennis, swimming and pole fitness, as well as a new version of the Arnold Classic bodybuilding competition for men who weigh 212 pounds or less.

March 6 Ohio University Information Session 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Ohio University Pickerington Center, 12933 Stonecreek Dr., www.ohio.edu/ pickerington OU’s Pickerington campus holds a monthly open house featuring a campus tour, an introduction to OU Pickerington, an application session and a Q&A. March 7-9 Tri-County Home Builders Home & Garden Show 4

Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 E. Fair Ave., www.fairfieldcountyfair.org Tri-County Home Builders presents its 36th annual Home & Garden Show. March 18 PPL Book Club 7-8:30 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org The book club discusses The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin. March 21-30 Pickerington Community Theatre presents Harvey Pickerington Christian Church, 575 Diley Rd., www.pickerington communitytheatre.org The story of Elwood P. Dowd and his friend the 6-foot-tall invisible rabbit comes to the stage courtesy of Pickerington Community Theatre. March 22 Model Radio Kontrol Airplane Show

781 Northwest Blvd., Suite 202 Columbus, Ohio 43212 614-572-1240 • Fax 614-572-1241 www.cityscenecolumbus.com Charles L. Stein

Chief Executive Officer

Kathleen K. Gill

President/Publisher

Dave Prosser Lynn Leitch Christa Smothers Garth Bishop Lisa Aurand Duane St. Clair

Chief Creative Officer Controller Creative Director Editor Contributing Editors

Stephan Reed

Editorial Associate

David Allen, Lauren Andrews

Editorial Assistants

Molly Pensyl

Advertising Director

Gianna Barrett Julie Camp Nick Lannan Pam Henricks Circulation:

Advertising Sales

614-572-1240

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

MARCH 2014 March 1, 10 Band concerts 7 p.m., Pickerington High School North, 7800 Refugee Rd., www.pickerington.k12.oh.us Performances include the North percussion ensemble March 1 and the North band OMEA preview concert March 10.

pickerington Magazine

CityScene Media Group also publishes:

8 a.m.-1 p.m., Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 E. Fair Ave., www.fairfieldcountyfair.org This remote-controlled model airplane show is an annual tradition at the fairgrounds. March 25 Not Your Mother’s Library Book Club 7-8 p.m., Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, www.pickeringtonlibrary.org The library’s special book club discusses The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent. March 25 Violet Township Women’s League: CPR and First Aid 7:15 p.m., American Legion Post 283, 7725 Refugee Rd., www.vtwl.org First aid is the topic at the league’s monthly meeting. Refreshments precede the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

CityScene Magazine www.CitySceneColumbus.com Dublin Life Magazine www.DublinLifeMagazine.com Westerville Magazine www.WestervilleMagazine.com Tri-Village Magazine www.TriVillageMagazine.com Healthy New Albany Magazine www.HealthyNewAlbanyMagazine.com The Publisher welcomes contributions in the form of manuscripts, drawings, photographs or story ideas to consider for possible publication. Enclose a SASE with each submission or email gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. Publisher does not assume responsibility for loss or damage. The appearance of advertising in Pickerington Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s product or service by the City of Pickerington. Pickerington Magazine is published in June, August, October, December, February and April. Subscriptions are free for households within the city limits of Pickerington, Ohio. For advertising information or bulk purchases, email Molly Pensyl at mpensyl@cityscenemediagroup.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. Pickerington Magazine is a registered trademark of CityScene Media Group. Printed in the U.S.A.

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

INSIDE

PICKERINGTON

N E W S & I N F OR M AT I O N F R O M T H E C I T Y O F P I C K E R I NGT ON

On Lines Pickerington is investing in its infrastructure to keep pace with the increased demands of a growing community. In 2014, approximately $4 million in water and wastewater improvements – a historic number of projects – will get underway to make sure the service that Pickerington residents expect continues without interruption for years to come. One of the major upgrades planned is the raw water line reactivation, which will convert the 10inch water line that was used to pump untreated water from the Hereford well fields to the Diley Road treatment plant, and then to a finished water distribution line. Service Director Ed Drobina said the conversion of the line will increase the flow of water to fire hydrants in the RaMar and Pickerington Hills subdivisions and along Opportunity Way, and it will provide a better system to connect different sections of the water distribution system in the event of a main line break or needed water for fire protection. To further increase the capacity of available water, the City is planning to drill a new water well in the Diley Road area, bolstering the water supply for new development. Pickerington is also upgrading its reverse osmosis (RO) discharge line to take waste from the RO system out of the treatment stream of the wastewater treatment plant.

“We operate the RO system at an approximate 80 percent recovery rate, which means that about 20 percent of the water pumped from the water wells goes to waste,” Drobina said. “Our goal with the project is to take the waste from the RO system around the treatment stream of the wastewater plant and discharge it directly into the effluent of the water plant, thus saving treatment capacity of the plant.” To increase the capacity of one of the lift stations on Leasure Drive that was installed more than 10 years ago to serve a certain tributary area, the City is upgrading the lift station to handle more flow and provide better service for new development along the western section of Refugee Road. The Sycamore Creek Relief Sewer project will also ease a bottleneck in the collection system. Currently, a 30-inch sewer line flows from the eastern part of Pickerington and connects to a 15-inch line. This 15-inch clay sewer line will be replaced with a 30-inch line from Lockville Road to the wastewater plant. In addition to upgrading lines and drilling a water well in 2014, the City is improving its emergency alert systems to make sure equipment operates more efficiently and measures are in place to quickly respond to challenges.

Improvements recently made to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System at the wastewater plant allow an operator to receive a detailed message on a smart phone if an alarm goes off at the plant or any of the five lift stations. Wastewater treatment operators are also now able to remotely access the plant from an iPad so they can immediately check on the plant and make adjustments, if needed, to the operating system, turn pumps on or off, and switch to back-up equipment. Drobina said the City is making these advances in its water and sewer infrastructure because it is important now to invest in the future of Pickerington.

Here We Grow Again Pickerington is one of the fastest growing communities in central Ohio, and City officials believe responsible growth management will be a beacon to attract more businesses and residents to the Violet City. Last year, Columbus Business First named Pickerington the second fastest-growing community in central Ohio, said Development Services Director Joseph Henderson. By the end of November 2013, the City had already issued 582 residential and commercial

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

building permits for an estimated $31 million in construction projects. Nearly 400 of the permits were for residential construction, and the remaining portion were commercial. Those figures do not include the $46 million investment in Pickerington that OhioHealth has committed in Phase 1 of its medical complex building project, which is underway near the intersection of Refugee and Hill roads. “Pickerington has so much to offer potential businesses and developers. We have a growing

market that is well positioned in central Ohio,” Henderson said. “We have a strong household income level and strong school district. When looking for a location to bring your business, you are looking for a place that is on the upswing, and I believe it is clear that Pickerington is truly one of those communities. The quality of life for our residents is second to none.” The investment businesses and developers are making in Pickerington strengthens the City’s economy. New businesses help to - continued

News and information from the City of Pickerington

citydirectory Pickerington City Hall, 100 Lockville Rd.

(All numbers prefixed with the 614 area code)

“Grow” continued grow the City’s tax base, and new residents assist existing taxpayers by sharing the cost of services needed to keep the community running efficiently. One of the ways to measure business interest in a city is the occupancy rate of commercial real estate rentals. Henderson said the shopping centers in Pickerington are at 87 percent occupancy, which is a higher percentage than most communities in Ohio have.

Even the new shopping center, located in Hunter’s Run, is expected to be fully leased by the time it opens. “There are very few vacant building and tenant spaces. Restaurant spaces are extremely hard to come by and, for the most part, are filled within weeks of becoming vacant,” Henderson said. Because Pickerington is a great place to work and live, Henderson expects the City to remain an even brighter beacon that continues to attract businesses and residents in 2014.

Road Rejuvenation

Building Services ..................... 833-2221 City Clerk/Council..................... 837-3974 City Manager........................... 837-3974 Development Services.............. 833-2204 Engineering Services ............... 833-2221 Finance Services...................... 837-3974 Human Resources.................... 837-3974 Income Tax Division.................. 837-4116 Mayor’s Office (Lee A. Gray)............................ 837-3974 Mayor’s Court.......................... 837-3974 Parks and Recreation............... 833-2211 Police Services......................... 575-6911 Service Department Streets.................................... 833-2292 Utility Billing............................. 833-2289 Utility Maintenance................... 833-2292 Water Plant.............................. 833-2290 Waste Water Plant.................... 837-6490 Water Reclamation.................. 837-6470

The gateway to Pickerington’s busiest commercial corridor will undergo a historic facelift, beginning in 2015, to ease congestion and provide safe and easy access to and from the Violet City. Each day, more than 30,000 vehicles travel state Rt. 256. The first major roadway improvement, which is primarily funded by a $6 million Ohio Department of Transportation safety grant, will focus on Rt. 256 from the I-70 interchange south to the Kroger/Giant Eagle traffic signal at Refugee Road. As part of the safety project, a third southbound lane from the Hunter’s Run/Marcus Cinema intersection to the Kroger/Giant Eagle signal will be created using a part of the existing gutters and by slightly narrowing the existing lanes. Other significant roadway improvements include a new southbound left turn lane at the Hunter’s Run/Marcus Cinema intersection; a dedicated southbound right turn lane at the intersection of Refugee Road; a third northbound lane to the state Rt. 204/Tussing Road approach; and a 6

fourth northbound lane to the approach of the I-70 eastbound entrance ramp. To accentuate the Rt. 256 roadway and help ease traffic flow, raised landscaped medians and curb ramps will be installed and eight traffic signals, larger street name signage and pavement markings will be updated. The second major roadway project, which is in the design phase, will transform Refugee Road into a more accessible corridor to ease traffic flow heading to Columbus and to the OhioHealth Medical Campus that is currently under construction. A total of $4 million in development revenues from the OhioHealth tax increment financing (TIF) district is expected to be the main source of funding for this project, which is slated to begin in 2016. City Engineer Scott Tourville said that though the facelifts on Rt. 256 and Refugee cannot completely eliminate congestion challenges going toward I-70 and westward to Columbus, they will significantly improve the traffic flow within the City.

“While they won’t eliminate traffic problems altogether, they will help provide better access to residential properties and businesses alike,” Tourville said. “These changes should provide roadway capacity to handle the anticipated growth in the area for decades to come.” A third roadway project that is in the planning stage would help to solve a very confusing intersection geometry involving Center Road, Milnor Road and Meadows Boulevard. Several different design configurations are being considered to improve the functionality of the roadways and provide the capacity needed to serve the expected growth over the next several decades. In early 2014, these designs will be presented to residents to get input from the community. Half a million dollars in ODOT safety grant funding is allowing Pickerington to move forward with these overdue intersection improvements. In 2013, Tourville, Pickerington’s new City Engineer of seven months, was able to get an additional $200,000 in supplementary grant funds, which can be used in support of the City’s necessary matching funds.

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

News and Information From

Violet Township By Perry Orndorff, Wildlife Specialist, Fairfield SWCD

Attracting birds and other wildlife to your property How can you make your property more attractive to birds and other urban wildlife? Though manicured lawns may be pleasing to the human eye, they’ve been referred to as biological deserts, where few four-legged or winged critters can survive. The first decision to be made is what wildlife you want to attract. It may not be possible to attract a large forest-dwelling bird such as a wild turkey to a suburban lot, but you could have good luck with local birds such as cardinals, blue jays, juncos and towhees. There are two approaches to attracting birds and other wildlife to your property. A short-term solution would be putting up feeders and suet cakes for birds and a small brush pile or non-mowed area for small wildlife such as rabbits. Cracked corn and sunflower seeds are favored by cardinals, blue jays, mourning doves, tufted titmice and towhees. Suet

cakes will attract nuthatches, wrens and woodpecker species. Niger and thistle seed will draw in goldfinches and chickadees, but some of these birds are migrants that have likely flown south for the winter. A longer-term solution for wildlife attraction is planting or adding more things to your back yard that wildlife can feed on year-round. Brushpiles, to provide winter wildlife shelter, are easy to put together using fallen branches or wood scraps. Try to follow a crossed-log design, almost like building a log cabin frame with an opening on one side for easy access. This makes an open pocket in the middle and allows wildlife some shelter from snow and cold winds. If the branches collapse close to the ground, wildlife can’t easily get inside. Plant shrubs such as crabapples, dogwood, hawthorn, spicebush and viburnum. All of them have edible berries

that attract birds. These plant species can be planted in a small windbreak pattern or at the corners of your home to add some spring or fall color. For additional ideas, please call the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District at 740-653-8154. Remember, if you build it, they will come!

Pickerington Ponds Winter Bird Hike The Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District is offering a winter backyard conservation bird hike for the first time in February 2014. The event is set for Saturday, Feb. 22, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. The bird hike will be held at Pickerington Ponds Metro Park. We will meet at Glacier Knoll picnic area accessed off Bowen Road. Pickerington Ponds Metro Park is west of Olde Pickerington Village. Take Wright Road out of Downtown, past the park office, to the intersection with Bowwww.pickeringtonmagazine.com

en Road. Turn right onto Bowen and Glacier Knoll picnic area is just to the north on your left, maybe a quarter mile. There is ample parking, and restrooms are available. The Arrowhead Trail that we will hike leaves from the parking lot and is an easy, level grass trail 1.7 miles in length. The entire event will be outdoors, so dress for the weather, including good hiking boots. The event will be cancelled if the temperature is 20 degrees or less. There is a large observation deck that we will utilize to oversee the wetland site.

Please bring binoculars and a bird field guide if you have them. Golden Guides are small and inexpensive. Peterson field guides are more extensive and very common as well. We will discuss wetlands, winter bird species that we typically see, winter bird feeding options in your own back yard and general backyard conservation concepts, and introduce you to the National Audubon Society’s Great Backyard Bird Count. The Great Backyard Bird Count is sponsored by both the Audubon Society - continued 7

www.violet.oh.us

“Ponds” continued. and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Data collected is used to track bird health, numbers and locations. The event attracts both amateurs and professional bird enthusiasts from across the country. The SWCD event is free, but we would appreciate a call to the Fairfield SWCD office at 740-6538154 by Wednesday, Feb. 19 for a head count. We will limit group size to 40 to ensure it is manageable for the hike and limit disruptiveness.

Pickerington Ponds is home to one of Franklin County’s largest remaining natural wetlands and contains wetlands, woods and fields. More than 400 acres are designated as a state nature preserve. The park is also a designated Ohio Important Birding Area by the Audubon Society, an organization dedicated worldwide to bird conservation and habitat preservation.

By Greg Butcher, PE, Violet Township Engineer

Questions Commonly Asked of the Road Department How many miles of roadway does Where does road department fundViolet Township maintain? ing come from? Is there a road Violet Township maintains 105 miles of operating levy in Violet Township? roadway within the Township road system. Funding for the Violet Township road department is derived from inside millage, How much does Violet Township gasoline tax and motor vehicle license spend annually on repaving? How taxes. Currently, there is no road operatmany miles are repaved per year? ing levy in Violet Township. Violet Township budgets approximately $500,000 per year for pavement mainte- Can stop signs be installed for nance. This allows for 5 to 6 miles of road- speed control in residential neighway to be paved each year using conven- borhoods? tional hot mix asphalt. This means using The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control today’s dollars and conventional hot mix Devices (MUTCD), which provides guidasphalt, the average road will be repaved ance on traffic sign placement, states, about every 20 years. “Stop signs should not be used for speed control.” Research has verified multi-way Are there alternative surface treatstops do not control speeds or reduce ments to conventional hot mix speeds on residential streets. Additionally, asphalt? How expensive are these the research found stop compliance is alternatives? What are the disadvanpoor at multi-way stop signs, and unwartages of alternative treatments? ranted multi-way stops increased speed Alternative surface treatments such as some distance from intersections. chip sealing and micro-surfacing are about ¼ to 1/3 the cost of asphalt. The main difDoes Violet Township remove dead ference is the appearance and a rougher animals? textured surface. 8

Violet Township will remove animals that have been killed by passing vehicles and are in the Violet Township public right-ofway. Individuals with dead pets or vermin on private property should make other arrangements. What is the speed limit on a road outside of a platted subdivision with no posted speed limit? Normally, roads outside of platted subdivisions without posted speed limits have a legal speed of 55 mph. Do I need a permit to work with the Violet Township public road right-ofway? What is the telephone number to reach the road department? Yes, under most circumstances, a permit to work with the Violet Township rightof-way is required. The permit application can be found on the Township website, www.violet.oh.us. The road department can be contacted through the administrative office at 614-575-5556 or direct at 614-382-5973.

www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

From the Violet Township Fire Department

$40,000 Ohio BWC Safety Grant Awarded to Violet Township Fire There is a potential for an injury to fire department staff with each run when lifting the patient onto the cot, getting the cot in and out of the medic, and when transferring the patient onto the hospital bed. In 2012, the Violet Township Fire Department responded to 3,846 requests for emergency medical service, with the trend for 2013 expected – year-end numbers were not available at press time – to be at or exceeding this number. The Violet Township Fire Department has spent a lot of time and resources to prevent these musculoskeletal injuries from happening. Proper body mechanics and lifting techniques are in the forefront of personnel’s minds as a result of training that has been developed and implemented. The department consults with a specialized physical therapist/transitional work developer to stress prevention, provide back-to-work and preventative treatment, and develop training and instruction in the proper techniques. As a result of a back injury suffered by a staff member in the summer of 2013, a special committee was created to consider any new equipment that may be available to provide lift assistance, thereby reducing musculoskeletal strain on the neck, shoulder, back and knees. The committee visited several vendors for demonstrations and obtained equipment for trials. The entire department looked at the practicality of each piece of equipment as well as ease of use. A clear consensus was reached on the equipment the department wished to acquire. Chief John Eisel and Physical Therapist/Transitional Work Developer Heather Wendell met with our local Ohio www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Bureau of Workers’ Compensation safety consultant to explore additional resources and funding for this type of equipment. Ohio BWC offers a safety grant to state-funded employers to help offset the cost of purchasing equipment that may have been beneficial in preventing an industrial injury. The department submitted an application for this grant, and we were notified late in December 2013 that we were awarded $40,000 toward the purchase of this equipment. The grant will help outfit our medics with a new cot system, the Stryker Power-LOAD and Power Pro-XT©. The cot system significantly reduces musculoskeletal strain on the firefighter’s body as well as any cumulative trauma due to the repetitive nature of his or her job. The system will also help decrease weight handled by the firefighter and the awkward positions that the firefighter uses when getting the patient onto the cot and when loading the cot in and out of the medic. Safety for the firefighter and for the patient is significantly improved. Having the new cot system in place will help reduce the likelihood of an injury occurring when getting the patient onto the cot or in and out of the medic. The Fire Department will continue to evaluate any equipment that may help reduce and circumvent any potential injuries to our personnel. Proper lifting techniques and body mechanics will continue to be emphasized. Continued development and implementation of health, safety and personal fitness pro-

grams remains our primary weapon in the reduction of injuries while delivering core services to the residents and visitors of our community.

How to Reach Us Violet Township Administrative Offices 12970 Rustic Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 614-575-5556 www.violet.oh.us Violet Township Fire Stations Phone 614-837-4123 Fire Chief: John Eisel #592: 8700 Refugee Rd. #591: 21 Lockville Rd. #593: 2365 Taylor Park Dr. (behind hhgregg) Violet Township Service Center Phone: 614-382-5979 490 Center St. Pickerington, OH 43147 9

faces

By Stephan Reed

From Stage International dancers embark on teaching endeavor

Movements of dance have guided Joe and Yulia Moriarty around the world. In the end, dance brought them back to Joe’s hometown and thousands of miles away from Yulia’s birthplace of Russia. The married couple have spent years on international tours, but they decided to settle down this past September with the opening of their own dance studio, the ML Dance Academy. “At this point, we’ve been teaching on and off, and you can only tour for so long,” Joe says. “It’s physically demanding and mentally taxing. It’s just not real life. It delays the inevitable of having to come back to reality.” Yulia received her choreography degree in Russia and, between the two of them, they have almost half a century worth of experience. “We’ve danced for so long; why do anything else?” Joe says. The two met while on tour with renowned Irish step dance show Riverdance. Joe was an Irish dance prodigy and, in 1997, he joined up with the act at age 16.

to Studio

Due to his age, he wasn’t even supposed to audition for the show, but he and his dance shoes found a way to Chicago when a few of the older dancers went for auditions. “I received a letter two weeks later in the mail with the wonderful Riverdance letterhead and it said that when a position opened up, I would be offered the spot,” he says. “My parents were excited to have me go on tour – it can be compared to going to the NFL, but for dance. I was young, but I wasn’t very wild, and my main goal and dream was to dance the lead.” Joe managed to achieve that dream quickly, earning the lead role in October 1998. Yulia’s road to Riverdance was a bit different. Her career path was chosen at a younger age because she was the perfect build for the part. “In the Soviet Union, ballet teachers would travel around and find the kids who have natural talent,” she says. “There’s a lot of work involved, sure, but they look at your natural ability because you could be hurt very badly. They look at your parents, too, to make sure you’ll grow into your body well.”

One section of Riverdance features Russian folk dance, which was one of Yulia’s strengths. “Usually, there’s a six-person dance group that comes from Russia,” she says. “There was a huge audition and it involved really physical and intense dancing. I got the callback to come audition for Riverdance and it felt like a dream. It felt impossible.” Both dancers have incredible accolades, including a performance in front of the empress of Japan and many weeks featured on Broadway, but the most fruitful has been their opportunity to work together. The two met on tour in 2007, but don’t remember each other too much. It wasn’t until 2008, in Japan, that they put their relationship into motion. “Language was a barrier,” Yulia says. “I like to be direct and say what I want to say. When you’re not confident, you don’t want to talk. I eventually went to English school in Ireland and that was really fun.” “She tried to break up with me in Japan because she didn’t speak English www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

“Pickerington is a great place. People think we’re just farmers, but there’s so much more.” And relocating proved to be the right decision for Yulia. “I like new chapters and difficulty,” she says. “I get bored really easily. I always seek a new challenge.” ML Dance Academy, 7885 Refugee Rd., offers classes in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, modern contemporary, acro, ballroom and Irish step dance, as well as pointe, clogging, ballet fitness, Zumba and more. More information can be found at www.themldanceacademy.com. Stephan Reed is an editorial associate. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscene mediagroup.com.

Covenant Enforcement Reserves well, but we spoke the universal language of love,” Joe says with a laugh. The twirling twosome overcame this struggle and married Sept. 3, 2010. They left Riverdance in 2011 and now put their experiences into action while teaching serious students at their studio. “It’s easier for me to teach kids in person because I’ve been through so much,” Yulia says. “It’s hard to explain the difficulty of dance. Yes, you can dance for fun, but the serious kids learn that there’s a long way ahead.” Joe and Yulia have already seen their students reach national success and are planning shows for the spring, including a local St. Patrick’s Day event and Lancaster’s local version of Dancing with the Stars. Settling in Pickerington seemed to make perfect sense for Joe, who was born here. “Growing up here … I would always come back here after tours,” Joe says. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Board Member Education

Developer Transition

We Put It All Together For You. Assessment Collections

Amendments

Document Interpretation

We Do OneThing And Do It Well.

Condominium/Homeowner Association Law

We provide comprehensive information, education, and communication with the board.

Kaman & CUSIMANO, LLC 470 Olde Worthington Road, Suite 460 • Columbus, Ohio 43082 614-882-3100 • Toll-Free 888-800-1042 ohiocondolaw.com • ohiohoalaw.com 11

in focus

Story and photo by Garth Bishop

Not Just Fighting Fires Violet Township Fire Department supports cancer-stricken colleague

Violet Township firefighters are dedicated to the well-being of more than just township residents. They also place a high priority on taking care of their own – and when Dave Woodward, a firefighter and medic with 24 years of history in the Violet Township Fire Department, learned he had bladder cancer, the rest of the firehouse came together to support him. Woodward, a resident of Duncan Falls – in Muskingum County, near Zanesville – was diagnosed Aug. 6. He has been on light duty since then, allowing him to work whatever hours he can work comfortably. Firefighters on light duty can go out to scenes, but cannot do heavy work there. “It’s a lot of office work,” Woodward says. To support their colleague, the township firefighters made and sold T-shirts with the “Woody Strong” logo on them, “Woody” being Woodward’s nickname. They also put the logo on their trucks as part of an effort to educate the public. For the last few years, the department has dedicated the month of October to a fundraising campaign, including wearing pink T-shirts to support breast cancer awareness efforts. “Woody Strong” was 12

a perfect choice for this year’s campaign, says Fire Chief John Eisel. Woodward got the benefit of the dollars raised by T-shirt sales, as well as the benefit of a collection taken up by the Reynoldsburg Police Department. Some of the fire department’s jurisdiction is also under the jurisdiction of Reynoldsburg police, and one of the department’s fire stations is in Reynoldsburg. He’s also been accompanied to each of his doctor’s appointments by either Eisel or one of the department’s assistant chiefs. That’s a big help because having an extra pair of ears at appointments makes it easier to retain information, Woodward says, especially when that pair of ears has medical training as assistant chief Mike Little, a registered nurse, does. Phone calls, text messages and other expressions of support have added to Woodward’s motivation. “Everybody in this department has been so outstanding,” he says. “I don’t think you could ask for anything more.” The department also reached out to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network to learn more and obtain educational materials. Firefighters’ cancer rates are

higher than those of the average person, Eisel says, and the network is working hard to determine the causes, be they smoke, toxic chemicals or other factors. The network also makes recommendations to cut down on risks, such as leaving breathing masks on longer and carrying disinfecting wipes on fire trucks. The department just had posters made to remind firefighters of those safety steps. “If we can learn from it and make it better for us or better for other departments, then this is a golden opportunity,” says Woodward. The department is a family, Eisel says, with many firefighters spending as much time with their colleagues as at home. The firefighters treat one another accordingly, he says, and as such, they are committed to helping Woodward and his loved ones. “There’s not a better group that comes together and excels in times of need,” says Eisel. The crew has built decks, repaired homes, helped people move and more as part of its team spirit, Eisel says. Woodward has been working for fire departments since 1976, when he joined the fire department in Muskingum www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

Dave Woodward, left, and John Eisel stand in front of one of the fire department’s trucks. The “Woody Strong” logo is visible on the window above them.

County’s Harrison Township as a volunteer. He also worked as a medic for the Malta & McConnelsville Fire Department in Morgan County. “I love the fire service,” says Woodward. “It’s just one of those things that you love it or you don’t.” For 23 of his 24 years in Violet Township, Woodward has also been an instructor at the Ohio Fire Academy in Reynoldsburg, specializing in pump operations and hydraulics. Woodward has undergone four rounds of chemotherapy, and an operation to remove his bladder was expected to take place in mid-January. Scans have not shown any issues outside the bladder, he says, so prospects may be good if the surgery goes well. Woodward is married with five grown children. Garth Bishop is editor of Pickerington Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Offering two locations: Canal Winchester

Diley Ridge Medical Office Building 7901 Diley Rd. Suite 260 Canal Winchester, OH 43110 Phone: (614) 833-0000

Lancaster

2405 N.Columbus St. Suite 280 Lancaster, OH 43130 Phone: (740) 689-4470

Call today for an appointment!

Board-certified Neurosurgeon, Dr. Carolyn Neltner

Shop Smart, Shop Small! Better prices (lower overhead) Personal service Better selection Better quality, greater value Faster delivery Closer to home More convenient parking Support local businesses owned and operated by your neighbors.

SAVE OUR NEW ADDRESS: Hunters Run Business Center 12920 Unit E Stonecreek Dr. Across from OU Pickerington

614-868-5554 artframe@att.net www.artframe.us

oled Don’t be fo nts. ou by fake disc eat any

t or b We will mee nal price. s fi competitor’

Preserving Family Heritage In Pickerington Since 1988 www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

on the table

By Garth Bishop

Gourmet grilled cheese joint opens first central Ohio shop in Pickerington

the Day

A grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup on a cold winter day is an experience that will evoke memories of childhood. On the other hand, a sandwich served on a doughnut and made with mozzarella and mascarpone as well as banana and peanut butter, accompanied by a chunky tomato basil soup with garlic, is likely to create an entirely new memory. The latter offerings are among the specialties of Tom+Chee, a fast-casual tomato-soup-and-grilled-cheese franchise expected to open its first central Ohio store in Pickerington in late March. It will be located in front of the Marcus Pickerington Cinema near the intersection of state routes 204 and 256. The original Tom+Chee and several additional restaurants are located in the Cincinnati area, with other stores open in Kentucky, Michigan and New Jersey.

The menu features more than 25 different grilled cheese sandwiches, from the Hippy+Chee (hummus, cucumber, mixed greens, tomato and cheddar on wheat) to the Flying Pig (roasted turkey, Blue Cheese Chili

bacon, pickles and Gouda on sourdough). Among local franchise owner Ron Freeman’s favorites is the Armagoetta – goetta (sausage mixed with steel-cut oats, a Cincinnati-area favorite), cherry peppers, fried onions, sweet hot mustard and pepperjack on sourdough and rye. “It is an unbelievable, knock-yoursocks-off (sandwich),” Freeman says. Also on the list are Fancy Grilled Cheese Donuts, each served with a doughnut as the bun and including such offerings as the Mint Summer’s Night (chocolate mint candy, chocolate mascarpone, fresh strawberries and mozzarella), and the new Grilled Cheese + Potato Chips sandwiches, including the Spicy Beef (jalapeno chips, roast beef, hot peppers, and pepperjack and cheddar cheeses on sourdough). Freeman is a big fan of the Blueberry Blue doughnut – blueberry compote, bleu cheese and lemon mascarpone. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

By Colleen C. Bauman, Pickerington Public Library Community Services Coordinator

The Armagoetta

“I thought these guys were off their rocker, but when I got served the Blueberry Blue … I thought it was one of the best things that I’ve ever eaten,” he says. Tom+Chee prides itself on roasting all its own meats and making all its own dressings sauces and spreads, Freeman says, as well as preparing all its own soups daily. The soup line-up always features Classic Tomato, Chunky Tomato Basil and Creamy Tomato Basil alongside seasonal specials such as Blue Cheese Chili and Tomato Gazpacho. Opening alongside the Pickerington Tom+Chee restaurant, most likely in February, will be the third Gigi’s Cupcakes location in central Ohio. Freeman is also the franchise owner for Gigi’s. Freeman plans to open a second local Tom+Chee in Hilliard shortly after the first. Garth Bishop is editor of Pickerington Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com

The 21-Day Sugar Detox: Bust Sugar & Carb Cravings Naturally By Diane Sanfilippo The holidays are over, and it’s time to reset your body and change your habits for good. Use the easy-to-follow meal plans and more than 90 simple recipes in this book to bust a lifetime of sugar and carb cravings in just three weeks. Three levels of the program make it approachable for anyone. This detox program supports your body in naturally cleansing itself of substances that create negative health effects by focusing on good food choices, habits and even how your palate reacts to sweets.

bookmarks

will learn how cosmetics companies entice people into buying the wrong products, how to enhance your features without cosmetic surgery and how to apply the right cosmetics. Readers of all ages can use the tips in this book to feel healthier, prettier and more confident at any age. Isn’t that what we want anyway?

Food Allergies: A Complete Guide for Eating When Your Life Depends on it By Scott H. Sicherer, M.D. For many people, allergens strike at home, at school, in Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat: The restaurants and elsewhere. Paleo Chic Diet for Rapid Results This book will explain how By Esther Blum to prevent exposure at these Our cave-dwelling days places and what to do if exare far behind us, but posure occurs. Allergy expert we still share metabolic Sicherer also addresses the tendencies with our lessfull spectrum of food alevolved ancestors. Proteinlergies, along with food reactions that are not rich, hormone-balancing, allergic, such as lactose intolerance. Most imde toxifying and satisfying portantly, he discusses how to manage a food foods can help the modern woman shed extra allergy while living a normal and healthy lifestyle pounds, build lean muscle mass and feel beau- with adequate nutrition. tiful. It’s all about understanding the relationship carbs have with your body and getting the Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative results you’re looking for. Medicine & Home Remedies By Mayo Clinic Physicians What Are You Hungry For?: The As the cost of health Chopra Solution to Permanent care rises, natural or hoWeight Loss, Well-Being, and Light- listic preventative meaness of Soul sures and self-care are By Deepak Chopra promoted more and more In this manual for “higher often. This book was writhealth,” based on the latten in recognition that est findings, Chopra uses a there is a need for reliable deeper awareness of why and easy-to-understand people overeat to craft a viinformation about alternative medicine. Included sion of weight loss. Chopra are non-traditional therapies on health and wellfeels everyone can be moness and ways you might put these practices to tivated by the desire to be work for you. What is considered alternative tofulfilled, and paying attention day may become conventional tomorrow. to this basic motivation boils down the choices to a single question: “What am I hungry for?” The book helps the reader answer that question and New library hours as of January 2014: move in the right direction from there. Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday & Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Toss the Gloss: Beauty Tips, Tricks Sunday 1-5 p.m. & Truths for Women 50+ By Andrea Q. Robinson Forget about makeup reclaiming youth, says Robinson. Good makeup reclaims you. Readers 15

YOUARE THE REASON FOR EVERYTHING WE DO.

At Mount Carmel, you are the most important patient we could possibly have. Your health and well-being are at the center of everything we do. You are the reason we assemble the best medical teams. And why we invest in the best equipment. At every moment, in every decision, we work closely with you and your family to deliver the care thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best for your unique situation. So you can get better. So you can heal. So you can live, work, play, love.

mountcarmelhealth.com