Westerville Magazine January/February 2020 by CityScene Media Group

The Daily Grind Westerville coffee king Andy Piper

Hail the Divas Meet the Author Creating Safe Spaces www.westervillemagazine.com

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Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Movement Specialty Program Since opening our doors in 2012, Parkside Village has operated with the mindset to, “Do the right thing for the right reasons.” It’s because of this that we have earned the great reputation that we have today! Sure aesthetics and amenities are important, but we know what is most important is the love and care our staff give to our residents every day. WITHOUT that, a building is just a building, but WITH it, a building becomes a home!

For more information or to schedule your personal tour, please call 614.794.9300

Kathleen K. Gill President/CEO

Gianna Barrett Vice President, Sales

Dave Prosser Chief Creative Officer

Mallory Arnold Editor Rocco Falleti Associate Editors Lydia Freudenberg Zoë Glore Assistant Editor

Amanda DePerro Contributing Editor

Gillian Ganicki Editorial Assistants Brittany Mosley

Diane Trotta Advertising Director

Paula Harer Advertising Sales Jessica Flowers Office Manager

Circulation 614-572-1240

730 N. Spring Rd. Westerville, OH 43082 EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

DanburySeniorLiving.com

Pet Friendly

City of Westerville Christa Dickey Community Affairs Director

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CityScene Media Group also publishes: CityScene Magazine www.CitySceneColumbus.com Dublin Life Magazine www.DublinLifeMagazine.com Tri-Village Magazine www.TriVillageMagazine.com Healthy New Albany Magazine www.HealthyNewAlbanyMagazine.com Pickerington Magazine www.PickeringtonMagazine.com Discover Grove City Magazine www.DiscoverGroveCity.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 marnold@ cityscenemediagroup.com. Publisher does not assume responsibility for loss or damage. The appearance of advertising in Westerville Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s product or service by the City of Westerville. Westerville Magazine is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, September and November. For advertising information or bulk purchases, contact Diane Trotta at dtrotta@cityscenemediagroup.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. Westerville Magazine is a registered trademark of CityScene Media Group. Printed in the U.S.A. ©2019

4 January/February 2020

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Inside

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 VOL. 19 NO. 3

TWO FREE SESSIONS

Need a fitness solution that fits?

09 06 community calendar 09 city reporter

CityReporter

News and Information from the City of Westerville

15 faces

News and Information from the City of Westerville

Buy Local, Support International

Westerville caffeine king Andy Piper explores coffee all over the world

18 in focus

Empowering the Divas

The Diva Movement’s fifth annual Women’s Wealth & Wellness Expo

22 Meet the Authors Who Created

your Heroes

The Westerville Public Library’s Meet the Author Series is yet another example of its innovation

580 Office Pkwy, Suite 120 Westerville, OH 43082

614.427.2023 WWW.EXERCISECOACH.COM

24 Creating Safe Spaces

An honest talk with your child about mental health

25 Around Westerville 26 living

The Final Stop

Premier Choice Cody’s Carre Will Drive You HOME!

A basement remodel for the long haul

28 on the table

...inspiring results

Tea Time

Tea expert offers insight on how one cup can go a long way

30 Bookmarks

FREE Home Evaluation FREE Professional Marketing FREE Staging Consultation Local Westerville Expert Buying or Selling?

Call Cody! He will go the extra mile!

@westervillemagazine Read more online at WestervilleMagazine.com www.westervillemagazine.com

On the Cover Andy Piper Photo by Jeffrey S. Hall Photography See page 15

Cody Carre, REALTOR® Phone 937.750.7173 Office 614.436.0330 cody.carre@me.com

January/February 2020

2020

SAT FRI THU 4 3 2 11 10 9 8 18 7 17 6 16 5 15 25 14 24 13 23 12 22 21 31 20 30 19 29 28 27 26

WED TUE MON 1 SUN

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

January Jan. 13-May 3

Interwoven by Anita Maharjan Fisher Gallery, Roush Hall, 27 S. Grove St., www.otterbein.edu

January 15

Meet the Author: Colleen Oakley 7 p.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillelibrary.org

Jan. 22 The Women’s Wealth and Wellness Expo

My COusin’s COttAgE

Quality Resale Home Furnishings & Décor

Jan. 1

OhioHealth First On The First 5K 11 a.m., Clements Center, 190 Center St., www.m3s sports.com

Jan. 3

Family Fun: Cabin Fever Reliever 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Spring Hollow, www.metroparks.net

Jan. 9-11

Jan. 10

Westerville South High School presents School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls 7-9 p.m., Westerville South High School, 303 S. Otterbein Ave., www.ohedta.org

Jan. 11

47th Annual Winter Hike Series 10 a.m., Maple Grove Bulletin Board, www.metroparks.org

Curtain Players New Jan. 13-Feb. 14 Works Initiative Provocateur by Jim Bowling 7:30 p.m., 5691 Harlem Rd., Miller Gallery, Art & CommuniGalena, www.curtainplayers.org cation Building, 33 Collegeview Rd., www.otterbein.edu

A Celebration of Animation 7-8:30 p.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillelibrary.org

Jan 25

The Women’s Wealth and Wellness Expo 11 a.m., The Point at Otterbein, 60 Collegeview Rd., www.thedivamovement.org

Jan. 26

Masterworks 2 5 p.m., Riley Auditorium in Battelle Hall, 170 W. Park St., www.westervillesymphony.org

Good for your wallet, good for the planet! 614-899-6110 16 E. College Ave, Westerville OH 43081 www.mycousinscottage.com 6 January/February 2020

OhioHealth First On The First 5K www.westervillemagazine.com

February

Mark Davanzo, MD Board Certified

General, Laparoscopic & Oncologic Surgery Serving the Westerville community since 1985

2020 Ohio Pork Congress

Feb. 5

Guest Storytime with Chris & His Certified Therapy Dogs 7 p.m., Youth Services Activity Center, 126 S. State St., www.westervillelibrary.org

Feb. 7

Color Me Calm for Seniors 1-2 p.m., Westerville Senior Center, 310 W. Main St., www.parks.westerville.org

Feb. 7-22

Feb. 12

Kindness Club: Embroidered Notebooks 2:30-4 p.m., Westerville Public Library Meeting Room B, 126 S. State St., www.westervillelibrary.org

Feb. 13-16, 20-22

Otterbein Theatre presents School for Scandal Various times, Fritsche Theatre in Cowan Hall, www.otterbein.edu/theatreperformances

Curtain Players presents Falsettos 8 p.m., 5691 Harlem Rd., Feb. 15 Galena, www.curtainplayers.org Oberlin College Track & Field vs. All-Ohio Championships Feb. 15 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Otterbein Downton Abbey Tea Party University, 1 S. Grove St., 11 a.m., Westerville Public www.oberlin.edu/events Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillelibrary.org Feb. 18 Safe Driving Tips Feb 11-12 6:30 p.m., Westerville Public 2020 Ohio Pork Congress Library, 126 S. State St., Tuesday., 1 p.m. and www.westerville Wednesday, 4 p.m., library.org Crowne Plaza Columbus North-Worthington, 6500 Doubletree Ave. www.ohiopork.org

www.westervillemagazine.com

Feb. 23

Young Persons Concert 3-4 p.m., Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mount Royal Ave.,Â www.westerville bands.org

Feb. 24

2020 Census in Westerville 7 p.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillelibrary.org

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Luxury Living

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8 January/February 2020

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NEWS FROM THE CITY OF WESTERVILLE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

CityReporter www.westerville.org

Meet Westerville’s New Council Members The City’s two newly elected officials are looking to make a big impact in the new year. Council members Kenneth L. Wright and Diane Conley began their four-year terms after taking an oath of office on December 1, 2019. Council member Craig Treneff, who was reelected, also began a new four-year term after reaffirming his oath in December. Get to know the two newest faces to frequent Westerville City Hall: Kenneth L. Wright Family: Wife, Kellye Clark-Wright; daughters, Kendall Wright and Nyla Clark; son, Christopher Clark Education: B.A. Journalism/Public Relations, Howard University; Master of Project Management, Keller Graduate School of Management; Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, Project Management Institute Occupation: Director of Research and Planning for IMPACT Community Action Community Service Activities: Board Member, Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club; Board Member, Westerville Education Foundation; Member, Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Project (formerly Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Committee) Alumnus of Leadership Westerville, Westerville Citizen Police Academy, Westerville Citizen Fire Academy, and Westerville Citizen Academy; member of Westerville Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, Citizen Auxiliary Resource Team (CART); community-based mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio; and former member of the Westerville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. www.westervillemagazine.com

What’s your favorite thing about the Westerville Community? Its small-town feel and big Kenneth L. Wright city presence. Westerville residents care deeply about one another, as well as the growth and prosperity of our City itself. What do you look forward to the most about your role on Westerville City Council? Building bridges and collaborations, thinking outside of the box, and fostering diversity of ideas, experiences and re- Diane Conley sources so that our City will continue to be the best that Favorite thing about the Westerit can be for ALL of its residents. ville Community: First and foremost, my favorite thing about Westerville is Diane Conley the people. I love how neighbors help Family: Husband, John; Son, each other; how we come together as John; and two spoiled dogs, Brutus a community in times of good and bad. and Buckeye Westerville citizens volunteer time and Education: B.S. in Education from donate funds to support others. I love the Bowling Green State University; M.S. emphasis on being kind that permeates in Education from The Ohio State the community. Additionally, I love the University; Post Graduate Licensure “City in a Park” feel. This is more than a (Educational Leadership) slogan, it describes Westerville perfectly. Occupation: Adjunct Professor, Ohio Dominican University, Retired from As required by City Charter, CouncilWesterville City Schools members elected the following people Community Service Activities: to officer roles for the next two years: Westerville Sunrise Rotary, Westerville Mike Heyeck as Council Chairperson; Parks Foundation, Westerville for Craig Treneff as Vice Chair; Kathy CoHonor Flight, Leadership Westerville cuzzi as Mayor; and Valerie Cumming Board Member (2005-2012), Westerville as Vice Mayor. Education Foundation Board Member Find more information, including an (2000-2012), Westerville Parent Council introduction to the other members of (1999-2011). council, at www.westerville.org/council. January/February 2020

CityReporter

Nominations Accepted for Individual, Business Volunteers of the Year Winners honored at State of the Community on March 12 Westerville is made better by the residents and businesses who come together and selflessly give their time and efforts to support community efforts. For the first time, the City is issuing an open call for Volunteer of the Year nominations ahead of the annual State of the Community event, which will be held on Thursday, March 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at The Point at Otterbein University (60 Collegeview Rd.). Nominations will be accepted acknowledging individual and business volunteer activities. Nominees should reside in the City and perform volunteer services within the Westerville community. Qualifying volunteer activities can include formal and informal efforts that benefit people, the environment, animals and more. The State of the Community is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. To nominate an individual or business for Volunteer of the Year, visit www. westerville.org/volunteer and complete an application.

The Westerville Chaplain Corps was collectively named “Volunteer of the Year” at the State of the Community in 2019. An individual and a business will be honored this year

Westar by the Numbers From 941 acres of farmland to a thriving hub of business growth, the City is celebrating 20 years of successful development in Westar. With more exciting additions to the area to come, take a look by the numbers at what’s been accomplished so far:

10 January/February 2020

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CityReporter

Guard Your Family Against this “Invisible Killer” This winter, the Westerville Division of Fire (WFD) is asking residents to take simple, life-saving steps to guard against Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. Often called an invisible killer, this colorless, odorless gas is generated when fuels are not completely burned. Sources include equipment used for home heating and cooking, as well as vehicles or generators in enclosed spaces. WFD supports the following recommendations from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): • Install and maintain CO alarms in a central location outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home. • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and maintenance of alarm devices. • Test alarms once a month and replace them if they fail to respond correctly when tested. • Learn the difference between the sound of the CO alarm and the smoke alarm, and each alarm’s low-battery signals. If the audible low battery signal sounds, replace the batteries or replace the device. Lastly, the NFPA reminds residents that CO alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms and vice versa. For more information, visit www.westerville.org/fire.

Is Your Home Protected? Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms in a central location outside each separate sleeping area, on every level of the home, and in other locations as required by laws, codes, or standards.

nfpa.org/education

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends having a CO alarm on every floor of the home.

Apply for Westerville Citizen’s Academy Residents will again have the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look into known and little-known City programs and services in spring 2020. Applications for Westerville Citizen’s Academy are due Monday, March 2. This eight-week program is based on the popular Westerville academy programs from the Westerville Divisions of Police and Fire. Each week, participants take part in a three-hour class (held Thursday nights) during the term of the course. Classes are interactive and include activities like exploring equipment, facility tours, demonstrations and hands-on activities. View the program schedule and apply today at www. westerville.org/wca.

Westerville Citizen’s Academy participants will get to view City programs behind the scenes and from the air when they take a bucket truck ride with the Electric Division. www.westervillemagazine.com

January/February 2020

CityReporter

A Look Ahead at 2020 Improvements

Construction crews wrap up the Uptown Improvements Project before the 2019 holiday shopping season.

The City is committed to the ongoing improvement of road conditions and pedestrian facilities in Westerville. Here is a preview of what to expect in the coming year: Uptown Improvements Resume After pausing for the busy holiday shopping season in Uptown, improvements are expected to resume 12 January/February 2020

in early spring. These improvements will bring Uptown sidewalks into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Additionally, traffic signal components will continue to be upgraded throughout the project area. Columbia Gas will also resume work in Uptown around this time. Stay up to date at www. westerville.org/uptown.

New Pedestrian Facilities The City is installing Westervilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) at the intersection of Towers Trail and County Line Road. Sometimes called a High-Intensity Activated crossWALK (HAWK) beacon, these signals create safer, more efficient pedestrian crossings on busy streets. They are often tied to the www.westervillemagazine.com

CityReporter

College Avenue will see improvements as well with the installation of a new five-foot-wide sidewalk between Otterbein and College Avenues. North State Street Widening To improve traffic conditions and accommodate economic growth in the area, the City will widen northbound North State Street, between Hoff Road and Polaris Parkway, this year. More information will be available at www. westerville.org/construction New Southeast-area Park Construction of a park at 480 S. Hempstead Rd. begins in 2020. Located near McVay Elementary School, the park will feature mature trees, whimsical and educational elements that maintain and enhance the site's natural beauty. Review the park design at www. westerville.org/parks.

Westerville Sports Complex Playground The playground at the Westerville Sports Complex (325 N. Cleveland Ave.) is slated for a refresh in summer 2020. Based on feedback from residents, the City is recommending to Council a plan for two separate jungle gyms at the park with features accommodating youth ages 2-12. Stay up-to-date about this project at www. westerville.org/parks. This is not a comprehensive list of all upcoming projects and improvements. Be sure to check the GoWesterville interactive map at www.westerville.org/ construction for more project information and schedule updates. Visit www.westerville.org/mobility to see how these improvements reflect recommendations set forth in the Westerville Community Plan, and the City's plan to improve access to varied modes of mobility.

Westerville Partnership Finds Way to Strengthen Workforce traffic signal system, so pedestrian wait times may vary. Get updates about this project at www.westerville. org/PHB. Additionally, new crosswalks will be installed along Polaris Parkway at the Cleveland Avenue and Meridian signals. These new facilities will add west-side crossing to accommodate workforce needs. www.westervillemagazine.com

The Westerville Partnership is entering 2020 energized with a plan to help strengthen Westervilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workforce. Consisting of the City, Westerville Area Chamber, Westerville City Schools, Westerville Public Library and Otterbein University, the partnership leverages the strengths of each organization to support programs for the greater good of the community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This intentional partnership of governing, public and private service bodies is unique to Westerville. We have seen time and again that when these five continued on page 14 January/February 2020

CityReporter Workforce continued from page 13 organizations work in tandem toward a goal, it serves an enormous benefit to the community,” said City Manager Dave Collinsworth. The collaborative relationship between the five partners was crucial to the City being named one of the Intelligent Community Forum’s 2019 Global Top 7 Communities and 2020 Smart21 Communities. In the spirit of collaboration, the Westerville Partnership conducted in-depth research, surveys and facili-

tated discussions with major employers, counselors, post-secondary and high school students to learn about opportunities within the existing workforce system. “The research confirmed that businesses have the workforce they need to thrive locally and compete globally right here in Westerville,” said Economic Development Director Jason Bechtold. “It also revealed significant opportunities to strengthen current workforce development programs and

Westerville Community Contacts FIRE/MEDICAL/POLICE EMERGENCY. 9-1-1 Gas/Carbon Monoxide Leaks. . . . . . . . . . . 9-1-1 Mental Health Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1-1 Fire, non-life threatening emergency. 882-2213 Police, non-life threatening emergency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-7444 City Website. . . . . . . . . . . . . www.westerville.org Community Affairs .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 901-6400 Animal Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6863 Animal Removal (dead at roadside). . . 901-6740 Cemeteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 City Manager’s Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6400 TDD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6413 Clerk of Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6410 Digging (Ohio Utilities Protection Service). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-362-2764 Economic Development. . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6403 Electric Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Electrical Outages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Street Lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Tree Trimming Near Electric Lines. . 901-6700 Finance Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6440 Fire Division Headquarters. . . . . . . . . 901-6600 CPR/First Aid Training. . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6600 Human Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6406 Income Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6420 Leaf Collection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Mayor’s Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6419 TDD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6418 Parks & Recreation Department. . . . 901-6500 Inclement Weather Hotline . . . . . . . 901-6888 Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6530 Community Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6500 Everal Barn & Homestead . . . . . . . . 901-6570 Parks Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6591 Highlands Park Aquatic Center. . . . 901-7665 Recreation Program Center. . . . . . . 901-6531 Senior Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6560 Shelter Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6515 Urban Forestry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6598 Permits Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6650 Burning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6600 Parade/Block Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6410 Security Alarm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6482 Zoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6650 14 January/February 2020

Planning & Development Department. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6650 Planning, Engineering & Zoning. . . 901-6650 Traffic Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6670 Code Enforcement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6816 Police Division Headquarters. . . . . . . 901-6450 Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6470 Detectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6475 Patrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6482 Recorded Information Line. . . . . . . . 901-6879 Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6450 Service Department. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Sewer Emergencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Sewer Line Maintenance. . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Stormwater Hotline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Street Emergencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Street Maintenance Repairs. . . . . . . 901-6740 Trash/Recycling Collection. . . . . . . . 901-6740 Water Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Water Line Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Traffic Violations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6419 Tree/Storm Damage (in right of way). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6591 After hours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6790 Tree Trimming (in right of way). . . . . . . 901-6598 Utility Billing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6430 askutilitybilling@westerville.org Water Plant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6770 Other Community Service Contacts Airport—Port Columbus. . . . . . . . . . . . 239-4083 Concord Counseling Services . . . . . . . 882-9338 COTA Bus Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228-1776 Delaware County General Information. . . . . . . . . 740-548-7313 Franklin County Board of Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3160 Property Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3696 Voter Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3100 Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital. . . . . 898-4000 Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-8917 Westerville Area Resource Ministry. . . 899-0196 Westerville City Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . 797-5700 Westerville Historical Society. . . . . . . . 891-0821 Westerville Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-7277 Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 794-0401

better connect industry to these programs and, in doing so, strengthening the local workforce.” The research helped the partnership plan a strategic way forward, focusing on the areas of Talent Development, Talent Attraction and Workforce System Alignment. Read the executive summary of the Westerville Talent Assessment & Development Strategy, available on the City’s website, business. westerville.org.

All area codes are 614 unless otherwise noted.

Contact City Council Council Chairperson Mike Heyeck Michael.Heyeck@westerville.org Vice Chairperson Craig Treneff Craig.Treneff@westerville.org Mayor Kathy Cocuzzi Kathy.Cocuzzi@westerville.org Vice Mayor Valerie Cumming Valerie.Cumming@westerville.org Alex Heckman Alex.Heckman@westerville.org Diane Conley Diane.Conley@westerville.org Kenneth L. Wright Kenneth.Wright@westerville.org

City Manager Dave Collinsworth Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/cityofwesterville Follow us on Twitter: All-City news and information: @tellwesterville Westerville Electric Division: @WvilleElectric Westerville Parks & Recreation: @WestervillePark Westerville Division of Police: @WestervillePD Westerville Division of Fire: @WestervilleFire

www.westerville.org www.westervillemagazine.com

faces

By Rocco Falleti Photo by Jeffrey S. Hall Photography

here’s a saying in the coffee industry: all coffee is good coffee. Whether it is a dark and bitter cup or a good pour-over with tasteful fruit notes, all coffee serves a purpose. It’s something Andy Piper, co-owner of Java Central, knows well. “Often I think that it isn’t the coffee itself,” Piper says. “It’s the people you enjoy it with, the situation that brings you together and the location.” One aspect of coffee piper values is its source. This pushed Piper into the jungles of South and Central America to visit coffee farms while oftentimes trekking through cartel-controlled countries. To say he is deeply rooted in his passion for coffee would be an understatement.

Buy Local, Support International Westerville caffeine king Andy Piper explores coffee all over the world www.westervillemagazine.com

Sourcing Coffee Fourteen years ago, Piper was working in a small coffee shop in Bluffton, Ohio, where he got his first taste of the industry. Though he was never interested in working with a large coffee corporation, he did spend time in Chicago learning the ins and outs of brewing. He appreciates the connectivity and relationships within smaller coffee companies. “The level of connection you have with the company’s structure is much more intimate and closer; it’s a real family type of atmosphere,” Piper says. “It requires a lot more passion and interest.” He moved to Westerville in 2009 and started working at Java Central as a parttime barista while attending the Bradford School’s Columbus Culinary Institute and working several culinary jobs. In 2015, he became partners with Ralph Denick, owner of Java Central, and made it his goal to have the cafe roast its own coffee. A position that begun as part-time became more important than anything else in his life. “It all ended up coming back to coffee,” Piper says, laughing. A Global Problem To understand where coffee comes from, Piper has traveled many times to South and Central America to explore coffee farms. He establishes relationships with suppliers, visits where the

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coffee is sourced and circumvents the often problematic facets of the industry. “It’s important,” Piper says. “Coffee hasn’t had the greatest history, even up to the 20th century, with how it treats people, what it pays farmers and the way it’s impacting the environment.” Even after basic research, it’s easy to see that the state of the coffee industry is in a bit of a crisis. Market value has dropped below what farmers’ operations require and it’s becoming an unsustainable product to grow internationally. During his travels, Piper works out trading Piper was welcomed into many communities details based on farmers’ during his travels costs and helps navigate the market sustainably. “You get to these farms and some“Hopefully things like this can prevent times they’re on top of a mountain coffee from dropping,” Piper says. “Farm- overlooking this jungle, and it’s just the ers are leaving their jobs and becoming most beautiful tropical place you could migrants to other cities and converting imagine,” Piper says. “It’s awesome and their farms to other crops.” so worth it.” Dangerous Travels Piper’s travels have brought him to some of the most remote areas of the world, deep in the jungle and atop mountains. Though the locations are breathtaking, Piper is quick to reiterate they are often dangerous. “It varies wildly by country, but I’ve been to places where organized crime has been a major problem,” Piper says. “A lot of coffee buyers end up working with missionaries or nongovernment organizations to get a free pass from these groups to move about the country, or else things could get dangerous.” In Honduras, the government has, as Piper says, more or less lost control of the rural areas. To conduct business in coffee, you must figure out how to work around cartels. To stay safe, Piper often travels with armed guards when they are with missionaries. “One trip, we accidentally found ourselves in the middle of a possibly organized crime-related exploitation of the farms we were working with,” Piper says. “It became very dangerous and we had to think very strategically on how to handle the situation.” However, to see his work's impact has been more than fulfilling. Even when he has to travel four hours in a truck bed through the jungles of El Salvador, he wouldn't trade it for anything.

Realizing your Impact Relationships are important to Piper – it’s how he got his start in the coffee world, where his love for the industry lies and, ultimately, has helped achieve his goal of roasting coffee at Java Central. It's hard to imagine, but what you do and where you shop in Westerville has an impact on the entire coffee chain, from farmers growing the beans to the buyers and right back to you. “If you love coffee and want it to be around for the next century, supporting local coffee shops is very important. The dollars you spend on a cup of coffee has a larger impact than just local business,” Piper says. “It is extremely meaningful and I hope I can inspire customers and consumers to think more along with those terms when they purchase coffee.” Piper’s work is one small piece to the puzzle, and it is something he has chosen to dedicate his life to. “It’s truly a life-changing experience to do this kind of work,” Piper says. “Realizing that we are part of this interconnected world and knowing that what we do in Westerville impacts these hard-working men and women is powerful and drives me to continue to support what they represent. … It’s hard to put into words.” Rocco Falleti is an associate editor. Feedback welcome at rfalleti@cityscenecolumbus.com. www.westervillemagazine.com

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in focus

By Lydia Freudenberg

Empowering the Divas

The Diva Movement’s fifth annual Women’s Wealth & Wellness Expo The Women’s Wealth & Wellness Expo Saturday, Jan. 25 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets available at www.thedivamovement.org

18 January/February 2020

www.westervillemagazine.com

n 2012, Noni Banks’ friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. Overcome with emotion, Banks decided to go get a mammogram, too. Though she was young, Banks got a wakeup call when physicians found a lump. “I was always in that arena of working full time, raising kids, running a business and volunteering. This made me stop and say, ‘What do I really want out of life?’” Banks says. “I wasn’t happy because I had all these goals and dreams I wanted to implement, but I kept putting them on the backburner.” Banks created a Facebook group for a women’s book club. She laughs, recalling how she didn’t even finish the reading for the first meeting. But it all worked out when the club members wanted to talk more about their struggles and accomplishments and less about the book. In that moment, the Diva Movement was born. Based in Westerville, the group is made up of more than 400 women and is now growing beyond central Ohio. The Diva Movement provides its members with support, tools and resources to help them succeed personally and professionally. From one of the darkest moments of her life – her mammogram result – came one of the most uplifting. “It’s really about creating an atmosphere where women can build meaningful relationships and have authentic connections,” Banks says. “We have so many success stories where women say things like, ‘Hey, I met someone at your event and she told me about

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her journey to wellness, and so I brought her into my job to talk about it. Now we have a wellness program at work.’” Member or not, everyone is welcome to attend one of its largest events, the Women’s Wealth & Wellness Expo, on Saturday, Jan. 25. The event celebrates five years of the Diva Movement, and is hosted at The Point at Otterbein University with speakers, demonstrations and discussions about fitness, wellness, finances, beauty, and professional topics. Banks says the expo started after her divorce. Through this new moment in her life, Banks realized that her knowledge of handling finances was slim and that stress can override your mental, spiritual and physical health. “I booked this small space (the first year) and over 200 women showed up,” Banks says. “We need a space and an event where women can focus on those two important elements: wealth and wellness.” This year, Banks and her team are introducing the Small Business Bootcamp, where visitors can talk with local agencies and learn about free or low-cost com-

www.westervillemagazine.com

munity resources to help their businesses grow. Participants can sign up before and during the expo. Making your job easier, “It’s hard for new business owners to so you can concentrate navigate this entrepreneurial landscape,” on building your life Banks says. “You want to see someone who and business. can relate to you and can tell you, ‘Yes, I Free initial evaluation and review of prior year tax returns want to help your business grow.’ And for • Preparing business, estate, trust and women especially, it’s hard to get capital – if individual tax returns you’re a minority woman it’s even harder. Gail L. Jamison, CPA So why not use these resources?” • Corporate tax planning 6115 Maxtown Rd. Other additions include a plant-based • Tax resolution. Audit representation Westerville, OH 43082 cooking demonstration and an entirely • Payroll tax preparation (614) 794-1771 woman-led physician panel, where sevcpaoffice@jamisoncpa.com • QuickBooks ProAdvisor eral medical professionals will talk about women’s health. Nanette N. Lacuesta-Kimmel, MD, a family medicine physician with OhioHealth, says she’s honored to share her expertise with the panel. “I feel a sense of responsibility and obligation to address what I see, specifically services. Fixed income. Retirement planning. Estate as a family physician, as a woman and Trust as a person of color, to help participants 4401ks. be We’re new to the Trading. Mutual funds & etfs. the best versions of themselves,” she says. nt. Neighborhood. Let us Investment management. Lacuesta-Kimmel says she’s excited Asset to bring topics to the surface that are stig401L ing. Show you around. Trust services. Fixed income. matized or uncommon so women can feel Retirement planning. Estate planning. Trading. Asset less isolated. “I think a lot of times, women are somemanagement. IRAs. 401(k)s. Tax planning. Robo-advice. times the worst at taking care of themselves Wealth management. Fixed income. Research. Investment because they have a strong sense of taking care of other people instead,” Lacuestamanagement. Trust service. Mutual funds & ETFs. Kimmel says, “and this panel could give Retirement accounts. Specialists. Trust services. Fixed them a lot of information and empower them to take the first step to taking care income. Retirement planning. Estate planning. Trading. of themselves.” Asset management. IRAs. 401(k)s. Tax planning. RoboLacuesta-Kimmel says this is her first interaction with the Diva Movement, but advice. Wealth management. Fixed income. Research. she can already see why the organization is flourishing. Investment management. Trust service. Mutual funds & At Schwab, you can get both. “Any time you have the opportunity to Come to Schwab for clear, practicalSpecialists. advice on choosingTrust the IRA services. that’s ETFs. Retirement accounts. be in a gathering with a group of women right for you, generating retirement income, balancing your retirement who want to become the best versions Fixed of income. Retirement planning. Estate planning. income against expenses, and deciding which steps to take next. themselves, it’s really exciting,” she says. Trading. Asset management. IRAs. 401(k)s. Tax planning. The expo proves that whether you’re going through a difficult divorce, dealing Robo-advice. Wealth management. Fixed income. Chuck Sampson & Brad Hitzeman with an uncertain medical diagnosis or Westerville Independentmanagement. Branch Research. Investment Trust service. Mutual financial instability, you can learn some2158 Polaris Parkway thing new, find a support system and funds & ETFs. Retirement accounts. Specialists. Columbus, OH 43240 grow stronger. 614-212-2800 “We’ve been where you are. We’re schwab.com/westerville here to stand beside you, walk beside you, push you if necessary or drag you if needed, because we’re here to support you,” Bank says. “A lot of women get discouraged, (but at the expo) you can come out and be with people who want to see you win.” Gail L. Jamison, CPA

An IRA for retirement. A plan to get there.

Lydia Freudenberg is an associate editor. Feedback welcome at lfreudenberg@cityscenemediagroup.com.

www.westervillemagazine.com

January/February 2020

Meet the Authors Who Created your Heroes

The Westerville Public Library’s Meet the Author Series is yet another example of its innovation By Mallory Arnold

he latest report by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy says that public library usage has declined by 16 percent in the last three years in the U.S. Most people may assume that book borrowing will become obsolete in the near future, imagining dusty shelves, outdated buildings and that hissing “Shhhh!” from one of the staff. However, libraries aren’t dying – in fact, they are transforming.

Author Martin Gitlin in Fred Flinstone's prehistoric car

The Westerville Public Library is a prime example of how reading is becoming modernized. The independent library offers more than books; the staff has created innovative programs to give readers the tools they need to tackle projects of all kinds. A 3-D printing service is available for anyone with a library card, along with borrowable art prints and even guitars. The library’s Borrow a Librarian program offers personalized, hands-on assistance from an expert staff member for just about any technology problem you may have. The building even has coffee and snacks available, the perfect pairing to a homework session, afternoon read or creative project. One of the most recent library innovations is the Meet the Author Series, where writers are invited from all over the country to talk about their books, give writing advice and answer questions. The program began in 2011, when filmmaker Ken Burns spent days in the Westerville Public Library, combing through its historical collection on the Anti-Saloon League for his PBS series. He spoke openly to fans about the process and drew lots of interest into the library, and gave Westerville librarians the idea to connect authors with their readers. “We rely heavily on recommendations from our city of avid readers,” Westerville librarian Tamara Murray says about choosing which authors are invited to the series. “We’re always looking for authors who energize community conversations, address 22 January/February 2020

current topics of interest, or introduce new and diverse perspectives.” In 2018, author Angie Thomas visited Westerville to discuss her novel, The Hate U Give. A Westerville high school student was so excited when he met and had his book signed by Thomas that he performed a rap, inspired by the book, on the spot. “It was an unforgettable experience,” Murray says. “Helping kids discover new paths to their own creativity is what this series is all about.” And the winner is… Martin Gitlin loved cartoons when he was a kid, parking himself in front of the TV on Saturday mornings with a big bowl of cereal and wide eyes. Flash forward to 2020 – not much has changed. Gitlin is the acclaimed author of A Celebration of Animation: The 100 Greatest www.westervillemagazine.com

Cartoon Characters in History. After undertaking the incredible task of ranking the best cartoon characters of all time, Gitlin considers himself a pop culture historian. Like any good author, he first started with research. He contacted Joe Wos, resident cartoonist for the Charles M. Schulz Museum. The pair dove headfirst into writing the book, and reached out to the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, Tom Kenny, to write the book’s foreward. As it turns out, Kenny was interested and excited. “He called me and we spoke for hours,” Gitlin says. Gitlin and Wos used specific criteria to rank the characters; legacy, personality, voice quality, contributions and more. It was a tough process, with hundreds of cartoons vying for first place. “I can’t tell you who took first place,” Gitlin says, laughing, “but I can tell you this; when people find out, they totally get it. No one has ever disagreed.” The cartoon historian says character depictions and cartoon themes have changed dramatically over the years. For example, depictions of violence have escalated. Take the classic Wile E. Coyote scene: he falls off a cliff and walks away with a mere

bandage on his forehead, whereas cartoons nowadays depict graphic blood and serious injuries. Cartoons nowadays depict graphic blood and serious injuries. Gitlin also remarks that characters now go through more interpersonal conflict, suggesting they have more depth with social issues. Gitlin, who will make an appearance in the Meet the Authors Series at the Westerville Public Library on Jan. 22, is a firm believer in writing about what you love. He insists that kids should write about whatever they are interested in, no matter the topic. “I want to tell kids that writing is fun when they write what they know and love what they write,” he says. “Take up a diary or suggest a topic to your teacher for a school paper.” His ultimate goal is to inspire kids to read about what interests them. If that happens, they’ll be readers for life. “It’s really sad that so many people these days don’t read,” Gitlin says. “When people come up to me and say, ‘I don’t read,’ to me, it’s like saying, ‘I don’t eat.’” Mallory Arnold is an editor. Feedback welcome at marnold@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Did you know? Creator of Hey, Arnold Craig Bartlett based the girls in the show on girls he knew as a kid.

Beavis and Butt-Head were named after the creator’s childhood friends.

Mel Blanc used to eat carrots while voicing Bugs Bunny.

Daffy Duck didn’t originally have a lisp.

The original voice for Fred from Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! has been voicing the character for 47 years and still does in new cartoon adaptions. In Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination, Neal Gabler wrote that Walt Disney hated the character Goofy, but kept him around because he gave work to so many people.

In the 1940s cartoon Superman, the hero couldn’t actually fly. www.westervillemagazine.com

January/February 2020

Creating Safe Spaces An honest talk with your child about mental health By Zoë Glore

ust knowing what’s going on in your child’s head is a full-time job for any parent. But with the prevalence of social media, it’s never been harder – or more important. Westerville City School District administration is looking at healthy ways to talk about mental health. The district hopes to create an environment where children feel safe to express themselves. It’s not uncommon for young people to experience stress, anxiety and depression, so it’s Tami Santa important that schools focus on mental health while also providing resources to help students recognize harmful stigmas. WCSD student assistance programs coordinator Tami Santa says students nowadays are unable to escape from a constant flood of information, and can feel overwhelmed if they’re not given the tools to handle it. “Everything impacts our kids in such different ways. If something happened on a Thursday or Friday 10 or 15 years ago, it was usually forgotten about by Monday,” says Santa. “There was sort of that restart button to allow things to unwind. But now, there’s usually a video or something that has been put out on some social media vehicle and it’s relentless, without any relief.” Santa suggests that parents monitor screen time. She also recommends looking for major behavioral changes in your child. It’s typical for children to resist authority growing up, but there may be more going on. Each child is different and all struggles are individual, but there is never a reason to feel alone. WCSD is offering parents tools such as a Student Well Being page on its website, 24 January/February 2020

www.westerville.k12.oh.us, which provides links to a variety of mental health and wellness resources, hotlines, and other sites to give parents information on anything their child may need. Additionally, WCSD offers in-person programs for both students and parents. “Starting in elementary, we have school counselors and social workers so that there is always a point person, along with having social and emotional curriculum which teaches students to know their bodies and emotions,” Santa says. “We also hold small groups for issues such as grief, divorce, creating friendships and partner with Concord Counseling Services, which offers students ongoing treatment, if needed.”

Parents can attend a Parent Prep event Jan. 25, which will offer sessions throughout the day on a variety of topics. Sessions are available for parents of children in all grade levels, including student mental health, college readiness, organizational skills and more. The educational series has tips, workshops and other resources. “Our hope is to partner with our parents. We understand that this is hard,” says Santa. “It’s hard to navigate this parenting world and it’s hard to navigate the world as our students, so maybe we can lean on some of our resources together and provide positive tools for our families.” Zoë Glore is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at zglore@cityscenemediagroup.com.

www.westervillemagazine.com

Around Westerville An Evening of Elegance Photos courtesy of Westerville Area Chamber

Uptown Scrooge Photos courtesy of Amy Taylor

Want your snapshots to appear in print? Send your high-resolution shots to our photo account, marnold@cityscenemediagroup.com. Include your name and caption information.

Westervilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dazzling Christmas Lights Photos courtesy of Westerville Area Resource Ministry

living

By Mallory Arnold

The Final Stop

New Westerville residents remodel a basement for the long-haul

hil and Sandy Warner are used to moving. They’ve hopped from house to house all over Ohio, but finally decided Westerville is where they’ll claim a forever home. “We chose Westerville by design, even though we’re not from here,” Phil says. “We retired in southwest Ohio and had some grandchildren who had transplanted in central Ohio. We liked a lot about what we saw here.” Upon settling into their home, the couple decided their unfinished basement needed done. With the help of Organized Home Remodeling, they began to lay out the future space for friends and family – especially grandchildren. “We made sure to have a space for all their toys,” Sandy says, laughing. Designers divided the space in half, leaving a space available for storage. In the living side, the couple wanted room for all their entertaining facets: a pool table, TV, bar and a fireplace. The bar is what Phil dubs the anchor of the basement. “When we do entertain, we always wind up down there,” Phil says “We also had a sound system built in. Now that we’ve been here for six months, there’s nothing we would change about it.” Basements can be a tricky project to tackle. It can be a dark, draft space and builders recommend homeowners leave a newly-built house’s basement alone for at least a year before beginning any kind of remodeling. But having already done a previous basement redesign, the Warners knew how to make it cozy and warm. “Having sufficient light was important,” Phil says. “We put in an egress area that allows light in. We also went with a lighter paint on the walls so it wouldn’t be too dark.”

26 January/February 2020

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Sandy and Phil enjoy sipping wine at their bar, although Phil’s preference is a good Scotch on the rocks. He won’t call himself an expert, but his friend’s love whiskey, so he’s learned how to make a good Manhattan. Currently, the couple has no new projects in the near future, but they know who to call when the time comes. “If we ever wanted to do something in the future, we’d go with (Organized Home GET TO KNOW THE UNMATCHED SERVICE & QUALITY OF

Remodeling) again,” Sandy says. “They worked so hard for such long hours. They did a fantastic job.” The question is, is the pool table, entertainment center, bar and cozy fireplace enough to keep this couple from moving again? “As far as we’re concerned, this is our last stop,” Phil confirms. Mallory Arnold is an editor. Feedback welcome at marnold@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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on the table By Grace Lenehan Vaughn

Tea Time

Tea expert offers insight on how one cup can go a long way

here’s something about a warm cup of tea on a cold day that invites a sense of comfort and calm. While you might choose to put on a spot of tea to cozy up, the benefits are much more than just warmth. Tea is known to provide benefits for both physical and mental health. Elaine Reid, who some might know as the “tea goddess” and the owner of Uptown on Main featuring Blue Turtle Tea, revealed some of the benefits that come from a cup of herbal tea. Even those of us who are not regular tea drinkers have likely reached for some leaves when we’re not feeling well, and that’s why Reid’s cold care tea is one of her bestsellers. This tea is a blend of chamomile, licorice root, lemon peel and 28 January/February 2020

peppermint, which is said to clear sinus congestion and get people back in tip-top shape quicker. “You’re sitting there miserable and you make a cup of that, and five minutes later you’re going, ‘Oh, I feel better,’” says Reid. “It really helps, and people come back and buy it again and again.” The benefits of tea aren’t just wives’ tales or anecdotal. A 2019 study by the National Institutes of Health suggests tea has anti-hypertensive effects. While Reid stresses that she does not dispense medical advice and suggests people check with their doctor before using tea for medical intervention, she has seen firsthand the positive effects of hibiscus in relation to blood pressure.

A healthy mind and body is impossible to maintain without a good night’s sleep, and herbal teas are great for managing insomnia. For better sleep, Reid suggests a quiet time tea, which works to fight insomnia using catnip, a special ingredient that your feline friend might find exciting, too. According to Reid, this ingredient is said to have the opposite effect on humans as it does on cats, and can help people fall asleep faster. Herbal tea provides real health benefits that, in some cases, may mitigate the need for medication. Even if one ignores all the scientist-approved health benefits of tea, simply brewing up a pot will certainly make you feel more calm and at peace, even if it’s just in your head. www.westervillemagazine.com

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Independent and Assisted Living All On One Floor Excellent Staff Care & Personal Attention Strong Reputation Earned Over 20 Years Beautifully Maintained Buildings & Grounds on 18 Acres Just ask your doctor before replacing any medication with tea. “Any (flavor) that sounds good to you probably would make you feel better,” says Reid. “If it makes you feel better, it relaxes you.” Grace Lenehan Vaughn is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

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