Tri-Village November/December 2011

Gail

Duane

Garth

Tyler

Molly

Gianna

Mary

Pam

Emily

NOVEMBER 2011

Nov. 1-30

Concourse Gallery Exhibit Series –Installation

Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Rd., www.uaoh.net

Installation is an artistic genre of three-dimensional works designed to transform the perception of a space. Many installations are site-specific in that they are designed to exist only in the space for which they were created.

Nov. 1-30 (See Page 12)

Shadows on Parade

Grandview Heights Public Library, www.ghpl.org

Nov. 8

Music in the Atrium: Mark Flugge

7 p.m., Grandview Heights Public Library, www.ghpl.org

Come hear the smooth melodies of Mark Flugge on jazz piano.

DECEMBER 2011

Dec. 1-31

Paintings by Jose Bastidas Grandview Heights Public Library, www.ghpl.org

Dec. 2

First Friday Movies

3:15-5 p.m., Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., www.ghpl.org

How about catching a hot new DVD release on the big screen at the library? Bring your friends and snacks for a fun afternoon. Call ahead to see which movie will be shown.

Dec. 2

Winter Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony

6-8 p.m., Mallway Park, 2096 Arlington Ave., www.uaoh.net

An evening of caroling, carriage rides,

Nov. 13

Library Concert: The Ukulele Cowboy Society

2-3 p.m., Main Upper Arlington Library, 2800 Tremont Rd., www.ualibrary.org

The Ukulele Cowboy Society is a fun, eclectic, alternative jazz and swing style duo with a new spin on many influential artists such as the Gershwins, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Hank Williams and more. Its music features a wide range of songs, from popular jazz standards to classic country swing and even some old-timey blues.

Nov. 15, Dec. 20

Senior Center Night at McDonald’s

4-7 p.m., McDonald’s, 3746 Riverside Dr., 614-326-3663

Help raise money for a Nu-Step total body exercise machine for the Studio 55 exercise center at the Upper Arlington Senior Center. Join members of the Upper Arlington community at McDonald’s, where 10 percent of the collected

sales receipts will go toward the Nu-Step. This is a family friendly event, and community members of all ages are encouraged to attend.

Nov. 15

Birding in Columbus

7-8 p.m., Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave., www.ghpl.org

Join Grange Insurance Audubon Center’s Doreen Whitley for a fascinating slide show about the many birds you can see in Columbus. Learn about how to see a variety of birds, attract them to your backyard and find great birding spots.

Nov. 17, Dec. 15

Books and Bagels @ UAHS

7-8 a.m., Upper Arlington High School, 1650 Ridgeview Rd., www.ualibrary.org

UAHS, Panera and UAPL are partnering to offer a morning of discussion for all students who would like to expand their reading repertoire to classics and contemporary literature.

bonfire with s’mores, visits with Santa and more. Enjoy UA’s tree lighting ceremony and other Winter Festival attractions that include ice sculpting demonstrations, live reindeer and door prizes from Mallway merchants.

Dec. 4

UACA Christmas in the Park

5:30-8 p.m., Northam Park, 2070 Northam Rd., www.uaca.org

Crafts, fun and a sleigh ride to see Santa. Due to time and space restrictions, this event is

by reservation only. The 400 spots fill in just a few days, so check the UACA website the first week of November for a registration form.

Dec. 10

Santa Visit at the Grandview Heights Public Library

11 a.m.-noon, Grandview Heights Public Library, www.ghpl.org

Bring your camera, or leave your information so free photos provided by the Grandview Parks and Recreation Department can be emailed to you.

Dec. 20-28

Hanukkah

Dec. 22

Winter Solstice

Nov.

Thanksgiving Crafts

3:30-4:30 p.m., Lane Road Library, 1945 Lane Rd., www.ualibrary.org

Gobble up some fun at the library with Thanksgiving Crafts. Ages 2 and up are welcome for an afternoon of crafts, snacks and learning at Lane Road Library.

Nov. 24

Thanksgiving Day

Nov. 25-Dec. 14

Santa’s Mailbox

Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Rd., www.uaoh.net

Boys and girls who place a letter in Santa’s special mailbox receive a letter back from Santa Claus. Enclose a loose firstclass stamp so that Santa can write back. The mailbox is located in the Kenny Road Parking Lot at the Municipal Services Center.

Dec. 25

Christmas Day

Dec. 26-Jan. 1

Kwanzaa

Dec. 29

Blood Drive

12:30-6:30 p.m., Grandview Heights Public Library, www.ghpl.org

Give blood at the library. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will be accepted if time allows.

Make the Most of the Amelita Mirolo Barn During the Holidays

By Michael Pollack Recreation Program Coordinator for the UA Parks and Recreation Department

Are you looking for a unique rental space for a holiday party or special event? The new Amelita Mirolo Barn at Sunny 95 Park is a unique gathering place for family and friends with a rustic, yet modern, atmosphere.

The 1,700-square-foot interior entrance houses hand-hewn virgin oak timbers from the Thomas Legg Barn, dating back to 1838. The Legg Barn, believed to be one of Upper Arlington’s oldest farm structures, originally stood on the corner of Fishinger and Reed roads and was later moved to the McCoy-Davidson farm on Lane Road in 1928. The remaining 2,000 square feet is made up of timber-framed Douglas Fir, consistent with the timberframe of the Thomas Legg Barn. The warm barn timbers will provide a cozy setting for your holiday party or any other event.

The Amelita Mirolo Barn is truly a community facility. The Upper Arlington Historical Society, along with the support of the Upper Arlington Community Foundation and donations from the Upper Arlington community, has made the facility a reality.

The Amelita Mirolo Barn is heated and includes tables and chairs, a kitchen, on-site bathrooms, two 55” LCD TV screens, DVD player, computer/iPod/MP3 player hookups, wireless microphone and an Amelita Mirolo Barn staff member on hand during your event to provide assistance for your rental.

The Amelita Mirolo Barn is available for rental Monday-Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Alcohol is permitted Friday, Saturday

and Sunday from 5-10 p.m. with a special permit from the City of Upper Arlington.

In addition to rentals, the Amelita Mirolo Barn is home to many Upper Arlington Parks and Recreation activities, including the Music in the Parks series and recreation programming from children to adults ages 50 and over. On Saturday, Dec. 3, join Santa for a delicious breakfast or brunch at the Amelita Mirolo Barn for Breakfast with Santa. Register online today at www.uaoh.net.

For pricing information, questions or to request a tour of the Amelita Mirolo Barn, please contact the Upper Arlington Parks and Recreation Department at 614-583-5330 or visit the website at www.uaoh.net.

100 Best Gift Ideas Back for a Second Year

By Tyler Davis

The Upper Arlington Area Chamber of Commerce is making it easier for you to buy local this holiday season.

This year marks the second annual 100 Best Gift Ideas program – a win-win for both local shoppers and businesses. The chamber expects more than 100 businesses to gather their best gift ideas and services, which will be promoted via local media like Tri-Village Magazine and the Chamber.

“The program acts like a bigger, local Groupon with a longer duration. It’s a great way for the community to support local businesses,” says chamber President Becky Hajost.

To see this year’s gifts, log on to www.uachamber.org.

MARBLE CLIFF

Holiday memories

Marble Cliff residents share their favorite holiday memories

Sally Spangler, resident since the early 1940s

My fondest memory connects to a story called Silver Boxes. The author wrote that when our words come out, they should be a gift to one another, like silver boxes with bows on top. About 10 years ago, I woke up early Christmas morning and was all by myself. As I walked my dog past houses with warm lights on, I visualized happy children with their families under the tree and started feeling a little sorry for myself. Turning down Third Avenue, I saw something lying in a drift of snow that caught my eye. It was a little silver box with a gold bow on top. It was like the hand of God reached out and gave me the gift of encouragement at a moment when I needed it.

Elisa Dull, who lives in the house in which she grew up

When my sisters and I were in our 20s, we decided to go cut our own Christmas tree. Not any tree; we wanted a really fat tree. We looked over the lot and didn’t see what we wanted until, there on the periphery of the property, we spotted this huge tree, round like a lollipop. The lot owner thought we were crazy, but all three of us took turns chopping down this huge monstrosity of a tree. We put it in the truck, pulled up to the house – and couldn’t get the tree through the front door! My dad cut the tree in half vertically, hauled it into the house, closed the French doors, and tied it to the doorknob. It did look funny from the dining room, but my sisters and I had our big, fat tree that year.

Long-time resident Phil Shively

A favorite winter memory is sledding on the hills near the Our Lady of Victory church complex. Instead of using our sleds,

sometimes, we’d take the huge metal cans from the Our Lady of Victory school trash bins and flatten them. Those cans made great sleds! We’d start at the top of the hill by the house, go left because the route was smoother (although we’d have to duck our head to miss tree branches), go airborne in two places and, with luck, make it all the way to the railroad tracks. I remember that on a very cold day, a nice lady would bring us hot chocolate or mulled cider to warm us up.

Residents Marcia and Curt Gantz

We used to love being with the residents of St. Raphael’s Home for the Aged at the annual Marble Cliff holiday party. About a dozen or so more mobile residents enjoyed being with the community and had wonderful stories to tell about when they were kids. They were very nice and appreciative and loved getting a poinsettia and other treats. At the end of the evening, we and other volunteers would lend a hand and help them back in the rooms. We grew up around elderly aunts and uncles, and it brought back this good feeling all over again.

Education Foundation Celebrates 20 Years of Giving

This year, the Grandview Heights/Marble Cliff Education Foundation celebrates its 20th year serving Grandview Heights and Marble Cliff by promoting educational opportunities in the community. Since its inception in 1991, the Education Foundation has raised money to create a permanent endowment from which it has awarded grants of more than $375,000.

In 2011, the foundation awarded grants in excess of $40,000, funding such projects as library materials at Stevenson Elementary and Edison Intermediate schools, publication of a Grandview Heights High School student poetry anthology, laptops to support a paperless classroom for high school science and history courses, and renovation of the high school auditorium. Grants have also helped fund SMART Boards for use in math and science classrooms, author visits, international

cultural exchange programs, and more.

The Education Foundation raises money to fund these projects by hosting an annual gala. The 20th annual event, Gala 2012, will be held on Jan. 28 at The Ohio Union Ballroom, and is being chaired by community members Janet Callison, Elaine Broderick and Sharla Thomas.

“We like to think of the gala as the social event for the Grandview community,” says foundation trustee Susan Studebaker. “It is always a fun and elegant evening with a gourmet dinner, live music, dancing and live and silent auctions. Everyone’s invited to attend.”

The work of the Education Foundation is only possible because of the generous support of the citizens and businesses of Grandview Heights and Marble Cliff.

For more information, visit www.ghmcef.org.

The Newhouse home at the northwest corner of Third and Arlington avenues, circa 1895. Courtesy of the Grandview Heights/Marble Cliff Historical Society

The Power of Proximity

By Pat Bowman, Director of Administration for Grandview Heights

The city of Grandview Heights is pleased to welcome four new firms that have recently moved into the Grandview Heights community. As you will see in the short introductions below, each firm brings a different expertise to the community, but all appear to have common reasons for locating within the city of Grandview Heights.

The first and foremost reason to locate a business in Grandview is the city’s ideal location. The city refers to this location preference as the “power of proximity.” Not only is the area attractive to new businesses, but new businesses serve to bolster existing businesses and the local economy. These firms bring to the area more than 70 new people, who take advantage of the goods, services and entertainment that are offered within the city.

Another reason these firms find Grandview Heights attractive is that the area is growing as a place for talent. New things are being designed, created and shaped by Grandview firms. The benefit of this creative brand is very important as it will serve to retain existing firm members, but will also serve to attract new members, individuals who have talents that allow them to choose to work in an environment that best suits their lifestyles and professional needs.

The community’s hometown feel may not have been at the top of the list of reasons for moving to Grandview Heights, but it is an attribute that business owners and workers will come to enjoy as much as Grandview residents do. The Grandview Heights police chief, fire chief and all city personnel are very accessible and take an active interest in seeing to the well being of local businesses. Walkers and bikers are likely to cross paths with the mayor or City Council members along any one of the city’s connected streets. The Grandview Area

Chamber of Commerce members are a fun, tight-knit group of business people who do a lot of good for each other as well as for the community.

Please join in welcoming these businesses. Walk around and look at the “cool” spaces each now occupies And if you ever have a need for any of the services offered by these businesses, please keep them in mind.

Portfolio Creative

777 Goodale Blvd.

www.portfolioiscreative.com

Portfolio Creative moved in July from its previous location in Clintonville. Jennifer Brown, Portfolio’s marketing manager, attributes the move to a desire to be situated in a more creative community.

“The Goodale strip has become something of a creative corridor, so being in the creative industry, it made sense for us to locate here,” Brown says. She adds that the new location is beneficial, as it’s centrally located and close to routes 315 and 670. Portfolio Creative also happened upon some fortunate circumstances as Bravo Development Inc. had the perfect warehouse space that was able to be custom designed for their operation. “It just felt right,” Brown says. “We’re excited about the future of Grandview Heights, and the community support we’ve received from the Chamber, Mayor DeGraw and other Grandview businesses has been incredible.”

HEIGHTS

Holbrook and Manter

775 Yard St., Ste. 160

www.holbrookmanter.com

News & Information from the City of Grandview Heights

Holbrook and Manter moved to an office space on Dublin Road in Grandview Heights in 2008, when the professional services firm acquired the Kirch Group.

Three years later, the accounting services firm has expanded to the new Grandview Yard development.

Business owners had previously made plans to move elsewhere, but thanks to a burgeoning relationship with the Grandview Chamber of Commerce, they decided to move to Grandview Yard instead. The firm also has offices in Dublin, Marion and Marysville. Holbrook and Manter benefits from being in Grandview Heights because of its close proximity to the metropolitan area and the fact that most of the company’s clients are in the area. With six owners and approximately 40 team members, H&M proudly serves not only its clients, but also the communities in the Tri-Village area.

Weber Associates

775 Yard St., Ste. 350 www.weberassoc.com

Weber Associates is a new marketing agency in Grandview that moved its headquarters from the Arena District to Grandview Yard in April. The company had outgrown its previous office space, and because owners were looking for an exciting and energetic environment to find new associates, they chose Grandview Heights.

“We liked the idea of becoming part of something new, dynamic and growing, while still being part of the downtown business community,” says Rae Schnuerer, Weber Associates’ office manager.

Weber discovered Grandview Yard after commissioning a list of recommendations from a commercial real estate consultant. Business First recently recognized Weber as one of this year’s Fast 50 growing companies in north central Ohio. Weber Associates will continue to appreciate and give back to the city and community that has gone out of its way to welcome them.

Zipline Logistics

781 Northwest Blvd., Ste. 100 www.ziplinelogistics.com

Zipline Logistics is a nationwide, third-party logistics company that handles full outsource transportation for manufacturers and distributors.

Locally, the company works with Allied Mineral, and nationwide, it has around 7,000 contracts with trucking companies.

Owners moved their business from German Village to Grandview Heights in May this year to find more office space while staying close to the Downtown area. They have plans to keep growing and expanding, and the Chamber of Commerce has helped them in meeting those goals. Those reasons, along with being a company with very young employees, influenced them to move to Grandview.

“We’ll move up to 20 people in just a year, when we didn’t plan on hiring any for a while,” says Andrew Lynch, Zipline director, who is looking forward to even more growth in Grandview.

profile By Sara Mitchell

Capturing Character

Grandview native Liz Celeste to exhibit at the GHPL this November

If passion is in the eye of the artist, the first place you should look for Liz Celeste’s passion is behind the lens of one of her cameras.

Since 2005, Celeste has been the owner and photographer at her visual business, Liz Celeste Photography. Embracing all angles, Celeste has shaped her artistic passion into tangible work, making her as inspiring as one of her pictures.

A career in photography was not a surprising choice for Celeste, who can trace her interest back to her childhood in Grandview Heights.

“Maybe it stemmed from thumbing through my parents’ old National Geographic magazines,” she says. “My mom bought me my first SLR camera –an old Pentax – when I was 14 or so, and I loved it.”

It wasn’t until much later that Celeste recognized herself as an artist, though.

“I never received any formal training, so I didn’t really feel comfortable calling myself a photographer until about 2005, when I had my first ‘real’ show,” she says. “It was in a gallery in Mississippi, while I was working as an AmeriCorps member with Habitat for Humanity.”

Now, acknowledging herself and her work for what they are, Celeste – who spends her days as the deputy director of exhibitions and programs at The Ohio State University’s Urban Arts Space in downtown Columbus – has molded her own likes around the work.

“My preference is definitely for non-human subjects – landscapes, flora, pets, etc.,” she says. “And I have an affinity towards things that show their age, a little wear and tear.”

Branching out further, Celeste began taking portraits by request and now has found joy in capturing children on camera, which she says adds balance to her other styles. “It is all a part of the history and stories that I’m drawn to,” she says.

Almost 30 and now living in Clintonville, Celeste never intended to move back to Ohio after attending Wake Forest University and participating in AmeriCorps.

“I told myself I’d never move back to Columbus, but moved back to help

on my father’s political campaign, and have now been here happily for the last five years, during which time I got married, had a baby, got a Master of Arts degree from OSU in Arts Policy and Administration, and have another baby due in December,” she says.

Celeste’s father should be familiar to residents: He’s state Rep. Ted Celeste (D-Grandview Heights), who was elected in 2006 to represent Grandview, Marble Cliff and parts of Upper Arlington and Columbus.

Celeste has returned to her roots for her latest exhibit, Shadows on Display, scheduled for Nov. 1-30 at the Grandview Heights Public Library.

“I approach photography as though I am an archaeologist,” she says. “I survey the area, scanning for artifacts, and am partial to anything that shows its age. In addition to paying careful attention to the particular effects of time passed, I take note of an artifact’s location and context, utilizing the information to illustrate a story or history within my photographs.

“I hope to continue to experiment with my photography, pushing different limits and trying out new techniques,” says Celeste. “I’ve also been interested in incorporating more found objects and mixed media into my art, moving into more three-dimensional works.”

Upper Arlington native Sara Mitchell is a contributing writer. Comments and feedback welcome at gmartineau@pubgroupltd.com.

By Tyler Davis

Night Sky Sight Guy

Woodlands Tavern offers more than just a warm place to drink and listen to live music.

It also offers the perfect place for stargazing – and lately, amateur astronomer Tony Miller has been using it for precisely that.

Thanks to Miller, patrons of the 1200 West Third Ave. tavern in Grandview Heights often can enjoy the view from an eight-inch Newtonian reflecting telescope or a pair of professional binoculars mounted on a tripod.

“It was just a hobby,” says Miller, who has lived in Grandview for the past 20 years with his wife, Lois, and two sons, Tyler and Shane. “I really didn’t think people would have so much fun doing this.”

His interest in what he calls “the visible heavens” began to flourish after all of his children had grown up and

moved out, leaving him with more free time. He didn’t plan to take his interest to Woodlands, but after spending some nights enjoying the music at the tavern and talking with people about his hobby, one of those people – musician and promoter Molly Winters –asked him to set up his equipment at the bar one night as a trial. That was March, and he’s been there ever since.

He says the bar’s south-facing patio is perfect for watching the stars, especially in the fall and winter.

“Some of the best, bright objects are in the winter, and the Woodlands’ patio fire pit helps me and everyone else stay warm through the cold months,” Miller says. “No breaks – I might miss something.”

The fame of Miller’s activities grew to such an extent that he had to create a website for his hobby, www.barstrono-

my.com, as well as an e-mail list and Twitter account to keep interested people informed of when they can come out and stargaze with him.

Since his kids moved out, Miller, who also goes by the nickname “Duke Skygawker,” has spent the majority of his evenings indulging in his stargazing interests. Unfortunately, his hobby is heavily limited by the weather conditions, and as such, he can only use his telescope when there are no clouds, rain or fog. These X-factors contributed to his decision to create online contact options.

“I’m (at Woodlands) on a 24-hour notice, but I may be there just for fun,” Miller says.

Of course, Miller has not always had time to use on his astronomy interests. He previously has been involved in broadcasting and performing arts

Tony Miller

Amateur astronomer brings love of the stars to Woodlands Tavern

administration at the Marion Palace Theatre and the Ohio Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield. Currently, he does freelance photography and works occasionally for various public relations groups. He also frequently volunteers at Perkins Observatory in Delaware.

At the moment, the stargazing is completely free, but Miller hopes to expand his enterprise and is currently working on a business model.

“It doesn’t cost that much at the moment, but I don’t want to lose money sharing what I love if I decide to expand in the future,” says Miller.

Until then, he is still excited to see everyday people enjoying what he loves.

Upper Arlington resident Tyler Davis is a contributing writer. Comments and feedback welcome at gmartineau@pubgroupltd.com.

- Carol C. (local client)

Tri-Village

Personalized Pizzazz

Pinney Kelly Paper near the Mallway in Upper Arlington features personalized notepads that are great for teachers, co-workers and friends. The $28 pads include 100 perforated sheets and are made in a snap for you at the Pinney Kelly Paper warehouse here in Columbus. www.pkpaper.com

Dining in Style

You deserve the best, and so do your pets. Pick up these new custom dog and cat bowl mats from K.A. Menendian on Fifth Avenue. Made from carpet and oriental rugs and shaped like cats ($35) and bones (two sizes, ranging from $45-95), the mats are the perfect complement to a beautiful home. www.karugs.com

A Defining Moment

Owner Kelly McHarg at The Defining Edge on King Avenue sees each collage she makes for a customer as an individual work of art. Pieces, which range from $45-$400, can contain pictures, newspaper clippings, ribbons, souvenirs, maps, tickets and other objects. www.adefiningedge.com

A Giant Surprise

Share the market flavors with your closest friends and families. Kingsdale’s Giant Eagle Market District offers customized gift baskets for anyone’s palate. Their “best of the basket” gift set includes a Market District freezer tote and basket, a decadent chocolatier collection, caramel apple bark, a selection of iced teas, an array of Market District pasta sauces and coffees, and many more brand favorites for $89.99. www.marketdistrict.com

Tri-Village Treats

You Bring the Wine

Celebrate a special occasion with Huffman’s Market’s My House Wine. Send the Tremont Center market a picture and text, and receive a bottle of customized Cabernet, Merlot, Champagne or Chardonnay in about four days.

www.huffmansmarket.com

Chic Shades

Check out these great gift ideas from area retailers

For Your Pickiest Friend

Purchase retailer gift cards at Giant Eagle or GetGo and use them like cash for holiday shopping or even as gifts. It’s a great way to save at the pump this holiday season because you earn fuelperks! for every $50 you spend. www.gianteagle.com

Make a Good Impression

Come into Shear Impressions Hair

Design on Dublin Road and design the perfect gift bag of Aveda shampoos and beauty products for both men and women. The luxurious natural products come in a number of different sizes and prices. www. facebook.com/shearimpressionshairdesign

Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Gucci and more. The designer brands make more than just clothes and bags, and Riverside Eye Center on Riverside Drive in Upper Arlington offers designer sunglasses and frames from the hottest designers. Make a statement with new frames. www.riversideeyectr.com

Natural Beauty

Want something that will make your loved ones say, “What on Earth?” The store of the same name on Lane Avenue in Upper Arlington features an array of beautiful Ammolite stones in both gold and silver settings. Ammolite, Canada’s national gem, comes from the fossilized shell of the ammonite, a mollusk, and has a beautiful red glow. www.whatonearthstore.com

Feel Divine

From expectant moms to the elderly to everyone in between, Everyday Divinity provides relaxation and proper foot care for those needing help or just pampering. Buy three in-home sessions with a certified foot nurse at $75 each and receive one free. www.everydaydivinity.com

A Second Glance

Designer items are great, but the price tags are sometimes frightening. Take a look at One More Time on Fifth Avenue in Grandview. The consignment store offers designer brands and quality gifts with affordable price tags.

www.onemoretime.com

Be a Good Puppy

Upper Arlington resident Heather Cameron, CPT, owner of Cameron Canine Training, offers obedience training, behavior modification and puppy development, among other services. The private, in-home sessions are great for both new dog owners and longtime animal lovers. Receive 20 percent off training for a limited time. www.cameroncaninetraining.com

Plane, Train or Automobile

For someone who has everything, give them the gift of travel. Frosch Travel offers gift certificates in any denomination for hotel, land and cruise travel packages. www.frosch.com

Liquid Gold

Oils and vinegars and pastas, oh my!

The Oilerie on Grandview Avenue offers the perfect gift for your gourmet. Whether it’s a prepared gift box – with items like the store’s 23 varieties of specialty oils, seven types of balsamic vinegars and stuffed olives – or a make-your-own set – The Oilerie offers a range of gifts for every price point. www.oilerie.com

The Reiki Center’s Gift Shop on Fifth Avenue features the classic leather and pewter gift items by Oberon, all lovingly handcrafted in the United States. Oberon products include journals, cardholders, jewelry and purses. www.thereikicenter.net

The ERGOHUMAN Features adjustable lumbar also available with headrest Colors: red, green, grey, blue, orange, black and black leather.

“After considering hip replacement, I recently tried your prescription for a chair replacement. After two weeks I’m fully healed and back on my feet!”

-Richard

The Lap of Luxury

Just because you’re working doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable. The CPCS showroom on Third Avenue in Grandview features everything to make your office the perfect place to work. This black mesh chair with a chrome base by TERA Commercial is comfortable and affordable ($99), and is the perfect gift. www.columbuspaper.com

Tech the Halls

Decorating isn’t just for the home. Pick up a USB-powered Christmas tree ($11) at Peabody Papers on Grandview Avenue to give any office a little holiday cheer. www.peabodypapers.com

Get Rolling

One of the newest products at roll: on Lane Avenue is the ContourRoam hands-free HD mountable video camera ($199), perfect for the outdoor enthusiast who wants his or her latest trick to make it big on YouTube. The camera is waterproof up to 1 meter and has accessories to hook it up to an iPhone or iPod. www.roll-online.com

Beyond Books

By Duane St. Clair

Grandview, Upper Arlington libraries offer more than you might think

Need to know more about computers? Job hunting? Tri-Village area libraries are here to help.

The Grandview Heights and Upper Arlington public libraries offer numerous services beyond the typical lending of reading, listening and watching materials, designed to help patrons successfully wade through the latest technology.

As technology advances, so do the libraries’ offerings, which now include, for example, books that can be downloaded to e-readers at no charge to patrons.

E-book popularity took off last year, says Shahin Shoar, media services manager at the Upper Arlington Public Library. It’s expected to soar for the holiday giving season, when e-book readers are expected to be popular gifts, Shoar says.

“When the e-books explosion happened last year, we offered one-hour classes” to use the readers, she says,

adding that the staff is familiar with all the brands on the market, such as the Kindle, Nook and iPad.

Canaan Faulkner, adult programs and web content coordinator for the Grandview Heights Public Library, says the library is gearing up to offer reader classes before and after the holidays this year in anticipation of the surge of new owners who need guidance to use them.

Grandview and Upper Arlington libraries offer a growing list of titles that can be downloaded for free. They are automatically removed from your reader when the borrowing period is over, but can, of course, be renewed – just like physical books.

The libraries provide instruction in other computer uses, too, some of which is to help new users understand basics and some of which is to assist others who want to learn more advanced uses of their equipment.

While large numbers of people own and operate computers, there still are those who do not, and the lessons are provided to those who have been reluctant to venture into today’s vastly expanding world of technology.

At Grandview, instructors from Columbus State Community College regularly conduct computer classes for those who wonder, “How does this thing work?”

In Upper Arlington, Shoar says, the staff will assist those who walk in, if there’s time, or schedule them for a onehour, one-on-one class.

Computer literacy also plays a vital role in the job search – for both job seekers and job posters. Shoar and her staff at UAPL help job seekers use computers to look for jobs or to create resumes, for example, in one-on-one sessions.

How best to look or apply for a job is a long-standing special service at Grandview, where Fred Points, a career consultant with Jewish Family Services, conducts four 30-minute classes twice a month.

A career consultant in the employment field, Points provides practical advice to those who come to see him. Most, he says, are professionals who have lost their jobs or are seeking to change positions.

He deals in resume writing, interviews and how to apply for a job. He notes that resume content, interviews and, indeed, the entire hiring process have changed drastically in the past decade.

“Finding a job is more than just sitting in front of a computer and sending out resumes,” Points says.

Using friends or relatives to seek a job is the wrong approach, he says, because they may not be in a position to evaluate an applicant for their company or hire one. He suggests looking for a specific job and pursuing it, especially if changing careers.

Points has a long list of things about which he can advise his unemployed or

job-seeking one-time students to help them get started or to continue successfully their job search. He talks about business practices, how interviews have become tougher, why a company’s hiring process can take weeks, steps that might get a response and possibly an interview, and so on.

“It’s not simple today. That’s why people want to give up. The world of work has changed on them,” Points says.

For more information about technical equipment training or job seeking assistance, see www.ghpl.org or www. ualibrary.org.

Duane St. Clair is a contributing writer. Comments and feedback welcome at gmartineau@pubgroupltd.com.

curated by Dominique H. Vasseur, Columbus Museum of Art

Nov 3, 2011–Jan 8, 2012

Tues: 10-4 / Wed, Fri: 10-5:30 / Thur: 10-8 / Sat, Sun: 12-4

Mondays & state holidays. 614/644-9624 www.riffegallery.org

Free Admission

Louise Captein

Otterbein University

Valerie Escobedo

University of Findlay

Craig Lloyd College of Mount

St. Joseph

Marina Mangubi

College of Wooster

Penny Park

Wright State University

Darice Polo

Kent State University

Jolene Powell

Marietta College

Robert Robbins

CCAD

Dana Saulnier

Miami University

John Yan Sun

Muskingum University

Edward E. Valentine

The Ohio State University-Lima

Paige Williams

Art Academy of Cincinnati

Supported by Ohio Building Authority and these Media Sponsors: Image credit: Ed Valentine, Untitled Portrait Series (five works) 2011 oil on canvas, 24” x 18” each

Spend Silversea’s Passport to Luxury Onboard Spending Credit, up to $1,000, exactly as you wish – shore excursions, spa treatments, gift shop, specialty restaurants, internet café.

Enjoy the extraordinary value of Silversea’s all-inclusive fares with up to 60% Savings, included Roundtrip Air & Transfers,* complimentary fine wines & spirits throughout the ship, all onboard gratuities. All ocean-view suites, most with private verandas, all with Butler service.

For more information call the Silversea specialists at Frosch Travel

www.frosch.com

From Everyday to Holiday

It’s all about light, glitz and greens

Holiday hearth decorating, that is.

Upper Arlington interior designer Angela Bonfante recently was given the task of redecorating a beautiful, two-story mantle on Coach Road in Upper Arlington.

The mantle — which on a daily basis features an oversized painting of an Italian village, candles and pottery — almost instantly transformed into one worthy of the most lavish holiday party.

Bonfante says the key to decorating for the holiday season is light.

For this mantle, Bonfante used a tall, vertical mirror, which she leaned on the mantle to give it depth, crystal candle holders of different heights, crystal beading incorporated into artificial greenery and tall crystal trees.

“I knew I wanted greenery and crystal,” she says. “I always like to use organic materials and light-reflecting elements.”

Bonfante carried the use of greenery and crystal down to the fireplace to give the hearth depth and balance.

“I like it to be really rich, layered and timeless,” she says.

DECORATOR’S TIP:

For the holidays, you should always use organic elements, like greenery. Get more than you think you would actually use.

Greenery & Crystal Trees: Baker’s Village Garden Center in Powell

Crystal beading: Flower Factory on Georgesville Road

Mirror and Candle Sticks: HomeGoods

Stockings: Frontgate

Urn on mantle: Tuesday Morning

From left: UA homeowner, Nancy McEwan, with interior designer Angela Bonfante.

A BIG Plus

Ever-expanding menu evident at new Grandview pizzeria

Brad Rocco began his career with Pizza Plus in the 1980s, as an entry-level pizzeria employee working to pay his way through college.

Now, he’s getting ready to open a Pizza Plus of his own.

Rocco’s Pizza Plus is slated to open in December at 1664 W. First Ave. in Grandview Heights across from the Grandview Heights Public Library.

Rocco’s will be the third location in the Pizza Plus family – the original restaurant opened in Bexley in 1980, and a Gahanna store without a dining room opened in 1998.

A Bexley resident, Rocco attended The Ohio State University and Franklin University. Though he got his college degree, he never quit his day job, starting at Pizza Plus almost three decades ago and buying into the company in the early 1990s.

One of his top priorities has always been the continuing growth of the Pizza Plus menu, and that will be a focal point of Rocco’s Pizza Plus. Maintaining a wide variety of toppings and specialty pizzas is an important part of the Pizza Plus philosophy, he says, and Rocco’s Pizza Plus will offer an even larger menu than the other locations.

“We’re basically taking … about 95 percent of the Bexley menu and expanding upon it,” Rocco says.

The 28 specialty pizzas on the menu will be a Pizza Plus record, including such newcomers as the Red Eye – spicy pepperoni, red onions, roasted red peppers and hot peppers. The list of toppings is also expanded.

“In Bexley, we have about 43 toppings to put on a pizza,” Rocco says. “Here, we’re going to have about 55.”

That means entirely new toppings, as well as variations on existing toppings – for example, the Bexley location offers white onions as a topping, while the Grandview location will offer white,

red and caramelized varieties.

Another Pizza Plus signature is the time and effort that goes into every pizza, Rocco says – all pizzas are made to order, and Rocco’s Pizza Plus won’t change that.

“We just do everything old-fashioned, the way pizza should be made – we make fresh dough several times a day, we age and grind our own cheese, we make our own sauce,” he says. “You can buy a lot of pizzas that offer the same things … (it’s) the basics of the pizza that separate one pizzeria from the next, and I really think we have one of the best.”

In addition to pizza, Rocco’s Pizza Plus will have one offering entirely new to the Pizza Plus family: authentic Italian gelato. The gelato – available in 14 flavors, from Tahitian vanilla to blood orange – comes

Philly Gourmet Pizza

Ingredients:

• Prepared pizza crust (New York dough recipe)

• Alfredo sauce with fresh chopped garlic

• Provolone and mozzarella cheese blend

• Shaved Philly steak

• Caramelized onions

• Roasted red peppers

• Portabella mushrooms

• Grated Romano cheese

• Dried oregano

• Fresh basil

Cook shaved Philly steak and caramelize onions. Roast red peppers, peel skins and slice strips. Clean portabella caps and slice thin. Grate provolone and mozzarella. Ladle Alfredo sauce onto pizza crust, then spread cheese blend over the sauce.

Place toppings on crust in this order: Philly steak, portabella mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers. Sprinkle with Romano and oregano.

Bake in a 525-degree oven on a pizza stone for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool for one minute, cut pizza and garnish with fresh basil.

from Italy-based G.S. Gelato. Rocco expects it to be a great addition for the expected walk-in crowd, he says.

“(G.S. Gelato is) just a tremendous, very upscale, very good and highly recognized gelato in a lot of markets,” he says. “It’s just not very common to this market.”

Pizza Plus has gained renown beyond the Ohio state line, taking top honors for the Eastern Division and third place overall in the 2011 International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas.

Garth Bishop is a contributing editor. Comments and feedback welcome at

• Engaging young adults that reflect their culture while also revealing God.

• Feel welcomed as the community gathers

• Good contemporary music that expresses your faith.

• Preaching that connects the Gospel to your everyday lives.

Children’s Books

Travels with my Family

By Marie Louise Gay and David Homel (Grades 2-3)

With parents that love to explore the most unusual vacation spots, these brothers share all of their vacation adventures (even the not so great ones). This is a great read aloud for younger children, too, and might inspire some new vacation ideas for your family.

Adult Books

Young Fredle

By Cynthia Voigt (Grades 4-5)

Fredle, a young kitchen mouse, is put out of the family home when he eats some chocolate and doesn’t look like he will survive. Follow him on his adventure as he finds his way back home. Along the way, he learns how to survive, and how other animal family groups live.

Waiting for the Magic

By Patricia MacLachlan

(Grade 3)

When Will’s father leaves the family, it seems like Will’s world won’t ever be the same. But Will’s mother decides to get a family dog, and after a trip to the dog pound, they arrive at home with four dogs and one cat. Thanks to the animals in the house, the family members discover a lot about themselves and each other.

Usbourne’s Very First Reading

By various authors

(Grade 1)

This is a collection of books that introduce beginning readers to familiar words with funny stories and great illustrations. From Grizzly Bear Rock to The Monster Diner, these books will encourage even the most hesitant reader to keep reading.

Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable

By Dan Gutman

(Grades 4-5)

Twelve-year-old twins Coke and Pepsi, have the summer of their lives as they have adventure after adventure. Between their parents vacationing ideas, and the super secret agency that wants them to be Super Genius Kids, the twins are lucky to make it through the summer alive!

The Sisters: the Saga of the Mitford Family

By Mary S. Lovell

Lovell weaves the eccentric personalities of an aristocratic 20th century British family of six Mitford sisters and one brother. This book burst with family disparities and love.

Loud in the House of Myself: Memoir of a Strange

Girl

By Stacy Pershall

Pershall, from Prairie Grove, Ark., was diagnosed with multiple personality and mental disorders and suffered from them throughout her life. She writes about this in such a humorous and lucid way. Despite everything, she manages to finish college, find love (well, almost) and come to terms with her life.

American Heiress: A Novel

By Daisy Goodwin

In the late 19th Century, when nouveau riche Americans were jockeying for social status, young American heiresses and their entourages would set sail to Europe with the hopes of securing a noble title by marriage. This is the story of Cora Cash, who finds love with the impoverished Duke of Wareham.

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand

By Helen Simonson

Major Pettigrew, a recent widower, and Mrs. Jasmina Ali, a widow, meet and form an unconventional friendship. Mrs. Ali operates the local shop in the village. As their affection grows, they have to decide where they stand on tradition, families and class.

SWITCH CALL or order ONLINE today. .

a BIG DEAL .

Of course, we happen to think is