Westerville January/February 2012

Westerville magazine

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

Charles L. Stein

Kathleen K. Gill

Dave Prosser

Christa Smothers

Garth Bishop

Duane St. Clair

Lisa Aurand

Tyler Davis

Gail Martineau

Emily Steel

Gianna Barrett

Molly Pensyl

Pam Henricks

Lynn Leitch Circulation:

Chief Executive Officer President/Publisher Chief Creative Officer Creative Director Editor

Contributing Editors

Contributing Writers Advertising Director Advertising Sales Controller 614-572-1240

Christa Dickey City of Westerville

Community Affairs Administrator

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Healthy New Albany Magazine www.HealthyNewAlbanyMagazine.com

Pickerington Magazine www.PickeringtonMagazine.com

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JANUARY community calendar

Through Jan. 20

Poetic Vision: Ink Paintings by C.Y. Woo

Frank Museum of Art, 39 S. Vine St., 614-818-9716, www.otterbein.edu

Selections by ink artist C.Y. Woo, donated by Lois and Al Augur, will be on display.

Jan. 4-Feb. 15

Core Studies – Jonathan Juravich Miller Gallery, Otterbein Art and Communication Building, 33 Collegeview Rd., www.otterbein.edu

The artist uses screenprints to explore his role as a coach and elementary school teacher.

Jan. 4-May 20

Des de Mi Ventana (From My Window) –Eliana Calle Saari Fisher Gallery, Roush Hall, 27 S. Grove St., www.otterbein.edu

The artist’s black-and-white woodcuts serve as memories and visions of her family and remembered locations.

Jan. 7

Stories and Signs

11-11:30 a.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillelibrary.org, 614-882-7277

Stories, songs and rhymes for the whole family to enjoy will be part of this special session of Family Tales. Sign language interpretation is included.

Jan. 8

Byron Stripling and the Bobby Floyd Jazz Trio

7:30 p.m., Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 E. Schrock Rd.

As part of its A Joyful Noise free concert series, the church presents a night of jazz.

Jan. 10

Teen Volunteer Training

6-6:30 p.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillelibrary.org, 614882-7277, Teens interested in volunteering at the library can learn more at this informational session.

Jan. 10-31

Disney Princess Celebration

6-7 p.m., Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., 614-901-6500

presenter Valarie Holmes will give a dramatic interpretation of the relevance of Dr. King’s dream.

Jan. 22

Inniswood Winter Hike 2012

2 p.m., Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., www.inniswood.org, 614-895-6241

Enjoy a two-mile winter hike through Inniswood.

Jan. 24

Westerville Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner

Bring the kids to celebrate their favorite Disney Princess through music, crafts, games, stories and refreshments.

Jan. 13

Teen ARC! Advanced Readers’ Club

4-5 p.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillelibrary.org, 614-882-7277

The club, which allows local teens to get their hands on books before they are published, meets monthly.

Jan. 16

Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration

8 a.m., Villa Milano Banquet and Conference Center, 1630 Schrock Rd., www.westerville.org

5:30-9 p.m., Conference Center at Northpointe, 9423 Columbus Pike, www.westervillechamber.com

The annual dinner acknowledges the Chamber’s honors and accomplishments.

Jan. 26-29

Steel Magnolias

Westerville South High School, 303 S. Otterbein Ave., www.westerville.k12.oh.us

South students present the play set in Truvy’s Beauty Salon in Louisiana, where a motley crew of characters assemble to have their hair done.

Jan. 29

Jukebox Revue

2:30 p.m., Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mount Royal Ave., 614-523-6800

This third annual event raises money for Honor Flight Columbus, helping veterans visit the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. The variety show includes live music, dance and other entertainment, in the tradition of The Ed Sullivan Show.

The Dream Lives on: A Tribute to Hope is the theme of this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast. Awards will be given out to students and community members, and featured

Sponsored by the Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau

FEBRUARY

Feb. 1-May 11

ETCHINGS: Old and New by Vijay Kumar Frank Museum of Art, 39 S. Vine St., 614818-9716, www.otterbein.edu

The museum presents a retrospective print exhibition by the noted Indian artist.

Feb. 2

PRISM Concert

7 p.m., Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd., www.westervillenorthbands.org

This annual concert includes performances from a variety of Westerville North musical ensembles.

Feb. 4

Wendy’s Chili Open

Noon-5 p.m., Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., www.wendyschiliopen.com

The Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club’s annual event supports a variety of local children’s charities. See Page 18 for details.

Feb. 4

Making Hair Bows

9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., 614-901-6500 Girls ages 5 and up can learn how to make three hair bows – including bows for their favorite dolls, if they choose.

Feb. 4

The Early Interval

7:30 p.m., Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 E. Schrock Rd.

As part of its A Joyful Noise free concert series, the church presents the Early Interval, a medieval and Renaissance music band.

Feb. 10-26

Crossing Delancey

Curtain Players Theatre, 5691 Harlem Rd., www.curtainplayers.com,614-360-1000

This romantic comedy set in New York City explores the traditional roles of women by contrasting the views of a sharp-witted grandmother and her liberated granddaughter as the former tries to arrange a date for the latter.

Feb. 11

Music and Romance

8 p.m., Aladdin Shrine Temple, 3850 Stelzer Rd., www.musicandromance.com

This night of music from Otterbein’s jazz and popular music ensembles is a fundraiser for the university’s chapter of the Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association.

Feb. 16

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

6-8 p.m., location TBA, www.westervillepack966.org

The local Cub Scouts present their annual dinner fundraiser.

Feb. 20-March 8

Fifteenth Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition Miller Gallery, Otterbein Art and Communication Building, 33 Collegeview Rd., www.otterbein.edu

Otterbein presents its annual exhibition of student art. A reception and award ceremony event is scheduled for 3 p.m. Feb. 24.

Feb. 25

Annual Bowl-a-Thon

10 a.m.-5 p.m., Columbus Square Bowling Palace, 5707 Forest Hills Blvd., www.westervilleeducationfoundation.com

Proceeds from the annual Bowl-a-Thon benefit the Westerville Chamber Foundation, Westerville Education Foundation and Westerville Symphony.

Feb. 26

Otterbein University String Orchestra

7:30 p.m., Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 E. Schrock Rd.

As part of its A Joyful Noise free concert series, the church presents Otterbein’s premier string orchestra.

SAVE THE DATE March 1-4

The Arnold Sports Festival Downtown Columbus, www.arnoldsportsfestival.com

The Arnold is back! The lineup features longtime favorites like the Arnold Classic and the Arnold Fitness Expo; popular recent additions like Art at the Arnold and the Amateur MMA Festival; and new events like the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Weightlifting and the Arnold Morning Weekend Review.

For more events, visit www.visitwesterville.org

CityReporter

News & Information from the City of Westerville

Westerville Passes Distracted Driving Legislation

Westerville City Council has approved legislation that makes it illegal to text while driving. The new ordinance describes this as use of an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication or otherwise interact with text-based internet content.

Westerville joins many other communities in Central Ohio and around the nation in an effort to address this major public safety issue by enacting what is commonly known as a “texting and driving” ban.

As texting has increased in popularity and utilization, increases in traffic accidents and incidents have been directly correlated. Texting while driving is characterized as distracted driving, which is typically defined as driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving. These activities – texting, talking on the phone, and eating –dramatically increase the risk of a motor vehicle crash.

According to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of adults ages 18-29 admit they text or e-mail while driving, having reported doing it at least once in the last 30 days. More than a quarter say they do it “regularly” or “fairly often” while driving.

The results are often tragic, resulting in more than damage

to vehicles in some traffic crashes. The CDC also reports that more than 15 people are killed and more than 1,200 people are injured each day in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.

Experts say this type of driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. The Westerville Division of Police has posted information on social media accounts reminding drivers that talking on the phone while driving is like driving with a .08 blood alcohol content, and texting while driving is twice that. Studies consistently show that most people are unable to multitask while driving.

“The bottom line is just choose your safety and that of other drivers, and don’t attempt it,” said Westerville Police Chief Joseph Morbitzer. “Texting while driving is extremely dangerous, and if that’s not enough of a deterrent, then know we’re going to cite drivers now.”

The Police Division will continue to build awareness on the dangers of distracted driving and potential penalties. Meanwhile, the state of Ohio continues discussions on legislation that would enforce a texting while driving ban statewide. While the state House of Representative has introduced a bill, it is currently being discussed in the Senate. To view the Ordinance online, visit www.westerville.org.

WēConnect® Community Data Center Open for Business

The nation’s first municipal community data center has officially opened in our back yard. The WēConnect® community data center, five years in the making, began as a vision to bring the technology of the future to the City of Westerville.

The center serves as a connectivity hub – or data hotel of sorts – for local and regional business, offering world-class support for cloud computing, co-location, broadband services and server rack space and security. A carrier-neutral facility, the data center provides businesses of all sizes access to the most advanced technologies so that they can thrive locally but compete globally.

“The City has invested in a fiber backbone that spans the circumference of our corporate limits, and the data center is the physical building that makes Westerville a truly progressive community,” said Chief Information Officer Todd Jackson. “It’s by choice, not chance, that Westerville can offer access to advanced infrastructure that supports our community partners and businesses.”

Construction on the 16,000-square-foot facility was completed last November, with the first business moving into space last December to take advantage of a suite of services designed to help local businesses grow. And by allowing businesses to offer their own services through the data center, Westerville plans to attract new business to the community. It is part of the program meant to provide an edge to Westerville’s economic development efforts and bring or keep jobs in the community.

“This is an opportunity for businesses to have advantages to grow without increasing capital costs,” said Jason Bechtold, Westerville’s Economic Development Administrator. “What they save in time and money gets reinvested back

into their business and benefits the community as a whole.”

The data center is being managed by Data Recovery Services (DRS), a Youngstown-based technology firm. The unique relationship between DRS and Westerville maintains the Cityowned infrastructure (data center and fiber) while data center services are provided and managed by DRS and broadband services are provided by commercial carriers.

“We developed a model that leverages the strengths of both the public infrastructure and private service sectors in order to bring unmatched opportunities in both access and affordability,” said Jackson.

DRS, a regional provider of data center design and operation services, worked with the City since the beginning of the data center’s planning stages.

“We’re excited about leveraging an award-winning service platform combined with the innovative thinking that the City has embraced to make Westerville a technology destination for businesses,” said DRS CEO Mike Meloy.

In WēConnect®, Westerville has created a distinctive attraction that should appeal to businesses looking to start or looking to grow. “This is what we heard when we asked businesses what they needed in Westerville in order to be a worldclass destination for business,” said Jackson. “A community data center centralizes the technology, security and infrastructure within a technology commons, enabling businesses of all sizes in and around our community to reduce costs of doing business and compete on a global level.”

The WēConnect® community data center will be formally dedicated in February. For information on the date and other upcoming events, please visit www.westerville.org.

10 Years: Westerville Community Center

Here’s to another 10 years!

The Westerville Community Center, one of the PROS-funded projects, opened its doors November 2001. The Community Center has helped to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for the citizens of Westerville by offering easy access to year-round recreational and leisure opportunities. Whether it’s sports, fitness, creative activities or just for fun and entertainment, the Westerville Community Center has something for everyone. Here are some fun facts:

• 4,598,450 visitors have come through the doors of the Westerville Community Center since its opening.

• 96,881 PASSport Members have participated in recreational programs.

• 2,093,188 people have participated in drop-in activities, including the Leisure Pool, Gymnasium, Preschool Classes, Climbing Wall and much more.

• 2,159,725 people participated in hundreds of programs offered at the Westerville Community Center.

City Partners with TechColumbus for Entrepreneurial Engagement

Earlier this summer, the City partnered with TechColumbus, Central Ohio’s regional entrepreneurial program, in order to spark ideas and create momentum for local entrepreneurs. At its core, the program helps advance technology-oriented ideas generated by entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Westerville community.

As part of the TechColumbus TechStart program, the effort focuses on accelerating successful development of startup and fledgling technology companies located or considering establishment in Westerville. By engaging local entrepreneurs with an array of targeted services and professional resources, the partnership expects to produce successful companies that create high-quality jobs in the community – all part of the City’s economic development goals.

“It’s a ‘contact sport’ to improve the chances of establishing successful technology businesses,” said Jason Bechtold, Westerville’s Economic Development Administrator. “This phase of the partnership takes us through 2012, so the time is right for residents to bring their ideas to the table and find out to how to take them from concept to reality.”

The partnership also provides a local TechColumbus representative to ex-

clusively serve Westerville opportunities. This provides direct business assistance through one-on-one coaching, marketing consultation, business plan development and guidance through capital investment and financing opportunities. Local entrepreneurs who engage are then integrated into the larger entrepreneurial ecosystem in Central Ohio.

Access to the program requires no cost to the entrepreneur. The first six months of the partnership has yielded technical assistance for 28 local technology-based startup companies, of which 21 have generated opportunities for expanded support. The sectors of these companies include applied materials, information technology, health care/bioscience and clean energy/clean technology. In addition, entrepreneurs have had access to multiple networking and education programs.

Westerville and TechColumbus together intend to be a “one-stop” resource for business startup and development opportunities. To get connected with resources and services, contact Jason Bechtold at (614) 901-6403 or e-mail Jason.Bechtold@westerville.org. For more information about TechColumbus, visit www.techcolumbus.org.

“This phase of the partnership takes us through 2012, so the time is right for residents to bring their ideas to the table and find out to how to take them from concept to reality.”

- Jason Bechtold

Pete Otteson Joins Westerville City Council

Pete Otteson was interested in the educational process one might experience while running for a position in local government when he initially explored the idea of serving on Westerville City Council. After spending his entire career in business management, it was the opportunity to learn more that attracted him to this form of community service. On December 1, Otteson was sworn in to begin his first term on Council.

What inspired you to get involved in local government and run for a seat on Council?

I was and always have been interested in local government, and what’s involved in the process of running for Council. I took it on to meet with people and sit down and learn stepby-step what is involved and more about local issues. I’m motivated in general to be involved in the way we operate socially and culturally, so there’s always been a personal and educational interest in government for me.

How long have you lived in Westerville?

My wife, Carol, and I have been in Westerville for more than 30 years. I have two daughters who graduated from Westerville North. I’m originally from Alliance, in the Canton area. I was transferred here for work, to manage the operations of Consolidated Freightways. At the time, I knew nothing about Westerville, but remember being impressed with the area when we drove through. We had originally put an offer on a house in Reynoldsburg, but someone else bid on the same house for full price. So, thankfully, we shopped elsewhere and have lived in Spring Grove all these years.

What else can you tell us about your background?

I served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps on active and reserve duty, and was awarded a Meritorious Mast in Japan with the first Marine Airwing for administrative duties. I also volunteer with AARP and the Senior Center doing income tax returns for senior citizens. And I work on a volunteer basis with CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate), assisting Westerville families in need or crisis. We visit with the families and work with them to correct problems so they can become whole again. I’m also a member of the Westerville American Legion.

What do you believe the future holds for Westerville?

That’s simple: nothing but positive things. I think we’re on a good path, and my intention is to work to keep us on that

path. Westerville is financially in good shape, better than most cities, and our community is strong and supportive when it comes to progress.

How would you encourage a member of the community to get involved in order to have their best experience in Westerville?

In terms of community service, do like I did and start from zero and move forward. I took petitions out to learn, and ended up with the great opportunity to serve on Council. In terms of enjoying the community, there’s a tightly-knit family environment available here. People often don’t have the time to be involved in everything that comes their way. But I would always recommend residents come out to events and take advantage of programs in order to enjoy a pretty sound quality of life here.

What are your hobbies and interests?

My doctor says to keep your brain working, so I like to stay busy. For me, I love to walk, which is about five miles a day. I also have a strong love for animals, and like to engage with the wildlife around our home. We’ll put corn out for the ducks and squirrels, and watch them.

Do you have a personal philosophy?

It’s not quite a philosophy, but I try to live life by identifying problems and looking for solutions. I think there is value in being able to talk to people and negotiate without arguing or meeting an impasse.

What is the last good book you read?

I listen to audiobooks, usually about current affairs or history. I recently finished Nothing to Fear about FDR, and Bob Woodward’s The War Within

Are you a New Year’s Resolution maker?

I make a few “resolutions” every Sunday morning at church.

Hope Featured as Theme of 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast

The seventh annual Westerville Community Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration centers on celebrating and restoring hope in a time when economic uncertainties and social conflicts remain prominent on the world stage. The Dream Lives on: A Tribute to Hope was established as this year’s theme in an effort to create a living example of Dr. King’s belief in hope for stronger, more united communities.

The morning celebration will take place on Monday, Jan. 16 at 8 a.m., featuring entertainment, song, guest speakers and recognitions for student and community leaders who embody the ideals of Dr. King. The annual Alston Award, named in honor of Miriam Alston and the group of slaves she freed who traveled to the Westerville area in 1859, will be awarded to a member of the community who has demonstrated the characteristics of Dr. King – tolerance, respect, kindness, bravery and tenacity – and who respects differences in others and will take action when he or she sees an injustice. Two Westerville City Schools students will be named 2012 Fouse Award recipients, an honor named after William H. Fouse, the first black graduate of Westerville Public Schools and Otterbein University. Featured presenter Valarie Holmes will present a dramatic interpretation of the relevance of Dr. King’s dream and enduring messages of hope and determination. Holmes is a historian from Newport News, Va., and regularly performs in re-enactments in Colonial Williamsburg. For the first time in the Celebration’s history, an honorary co-chair has been named to represent local commitments to charity, hope and giving. Scott Marier, Executive Director of WARM (Westerville Area Resource Ministry), will be recognized in this new role.

Additionally, in its annual tradition of continuing the celebration throughout the day, Otterbein University will host service projects through its “Day On” community service program. Breakfast attendees will also have an opportunity to participate in a “Messages of Hope” campaign to benefit soldiers of the Ohio National Guard 684 Medical Unit, currently serving in Afghanistan. The Unit, which formerly operated out of the Armory located in Uptown Westerville, was officially adopted by the community earlier this year. Each attendee can write a hope-based message of thanks, inspiration or encouragement that will be sent to the men and women currently serving our country.

Presented by Leadership Westerville, the breakfast celebration registration prices are $20 per adult and $10 per student. Businesses may sponsor a table for $250, which includes 10 breakfast registrations and the recognition as a table sponsor in the event program.

The event is being held at the Villa Milano Banquet & Conference Center (1630 Schrock Rd.). Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the program will begin promptly at 8 a.m. For more information, please visit the event site on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WestervilleMLK.

3,851

Cubic yards of leaves were collected in the 2011 leaf collection program.

2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast

Jukebox Revue to Kick Off 2012 Community-Sponsored Honor Flight

The Westerville community – including the City, schools, citizens, businesses, service clubs and others – will host its third annual concert, the Jukebox Revue, to benefit Honor Flight Columbus on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2:30 p.m. at Westerville Central High School. Proceeds from the event will benefit the 2012 community-sponsored Honor Flight, a program honoring veterans of World War II with a guided tour of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The show is produced each year in the tradition of The Ed Sullivan Show, featuring musicians, bands, dancers, singers and other entertainers. Granville piano prodigy, 8-year-old Gavin George, will make his third appearance as a featured performer. This year’s concert introduces local entertainer Eric Gnezda as MC.

Tickets for the event are available at Westerville City Hall (second floor) or by calling (614) 523-6800. Prices are $20 general admission and $10 senior, child or veteran. World War II veterans are admitted free of charge. For more information, visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westervilleforhonorflight.

The 2011 flight will be the fourth the community of Westerville has sponsored, with the last three flights sending more than 300 World War II veterans to the nation’s capital for their day of honor.

About Honor Flight Columbus

Honor Flight Columbus honors and celebrates veterans by flying them to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to their important service. Veterans of WWII are provided this tour of honor at no charge. For more information on the Honor Flight, please visit www.honorflightcolumbus.org.

Westerville City Council

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(Back Left-Right) Craig Treneff, L. Pete Otteson, Vice Chair Larry Jenkins, Vice Mayor Diane Fosselman

(Front Left-Right) Chairman Michael Heyeck, Mayor Kathy Cocuzzi, Jenifer French

City Manager Dave Collinsworth

faces By Garth Bishop

Fro-Yo Flavored Fundraising

Franchisees are committed to supporting community causes

to the Westerville community than just frozen yogurt.

Their local Orange Leaf franchise, 750 N. State St., opened in June. The frozen yogurt company offers a self-serve operation – customers can get their fro-yo straight from the dispenser and choose their own toppings from the topping bar. The store offers 16 yogurt flavors per day, and the number of toppings tops 50.

But mother-and-son team Maureen and Brandon Ross – who co-own the franchise with partner Mike Jones – decided to go a step further when it comes to serving the community. Westerville is a closely-knit community, and they wanted their business to be about more than just making money.

Just a month after opening, they established Fund-Day Mondays. Every

Monday, the store offers 20 percent of its proceeds to a worthy local cause.

The concept proved very popular, very quickly among community members – to the point that, while the name remains intact, the Rosses no longer limit the effort to one day a week.

“We actually had to go to Tuesday and Wednesday too,” Maureen says. Organizations apply directly to the store’s franchise owners for consideration, and since July, Fund-Day Monday has helped raise money for PTAs, sports teams, youth groups, sororities and the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. It has also helped purchase a wheelchair ramp for a little girl with cystic fibrosis and raised money for a cause in Cambodia, among a huge assortment of other causes.

“We were booked all the way into February by August,” Brandon says.

In October, the store partnered with Komen Columbus to offer 20 percent of all Sunday proceeds to the organization. The endeavor raised about $2,800 to aid local efforts to increase awareness of breast cancer. The store will repeat the promotion in May.

Delicious though the product may be, the Rosses wanted to give more

Maureen and Brandon Ross

Fundraising

Westerville Magazine on Facebook!

Even a small amount can make a huge difference to a smaller organization in need of a boost, Brandon says.

Whether it’s the popularity of the fro-yo or the commitment to fundraising, Wester ville has responded well to its Orange Leaf. The store was actually the top-selling franchise in the country for a time, an im pressive feat considering Orange Leaf has close to 200 franchises in 28 states.

“Our line was out the door for three hours every day for two to three months,” says Maureen.

The Rosses and Jones are all Westerville residents.

Maureen is no stranger to business in Westerville – she owned Nature’s Collec tions for more than 10 years and was also owner of Infusion dance studio. Brandon, who was in vacation real estate prior to opening Orange Leaf, is an avid Buck eyes fan and outdoorsman. Jones is an attorney.

Interested in setting up a fundraiser of your own? Call 614-898-5323 for more information.

Garth Bishop is editor of Wester ville Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.

A Chili Reception

Wendy’s Chili Open returns for the benefit of children’s charities

By Gail Martineau

The Westerville Sunrise Rotary is hoping the community shows up in droves for this year’s Wendy’s Chili Open.

The annual fundraiser for central Ohio children’s charities, organized by the local Sunrise Rotary, is slated for Feb. 4 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. It will run from noon to 5 p.m.

This will be the third year the Open has been held at the zoo, having moved from the Anheuser Busch headquarters on Schrock Road in 2010. It was a good move, says event chairman Pat Kemmer: Revenues increased by 22 percent in 2010 and by 24 percent in 2011.

“Even though we had 14 inches of snow on the day of the event (in 2010), over 2,000 people attended,” Kemmer says.

Last year was even better. More than 2,500 people attended and more than $200,000 was raised through individual and corporate sponsors, donations, live and silent auctions, and ticket sales.

The Rotary hopes to realize than $250,000 from this year’s event, which will be the 16th annual, Kemmer says.

“As a service organization, the ability of our club to serve the community is directly related to how much money we can raise, and this event has allowed our club to do many great things and support several deserving causes,” says Kemmer. “As our largest fundraiser and signature event, the Chili Open is also one of the largest one-day Rotary Club-sponsored fundraising events in the country.”

Beneficiaries of this year’s Open will include Children’s Hunger Alliance, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Flying Horse Farms, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, the Special Care Nursery at Mount Carmel St. Ann’s, Ohio Troopers Caring Inc. and the Westerville Area Resource Ministry. Charities are chosen each year by the Rotary foundation’s board of directors.

Kemmer’s favorite part of the Chili Open, he says, is the celebration breakfast, at which checks are handed to the charities.

“I enjoy attending, because I know that the efforts of hundreds of volunteers come to fruition in an event that is now a signa-

ture charity fundraiser in central Ohio,” he says. “It is very rewarding to see all the people having such a good time in the middle of winter in an environment where there is something for everyone attending to enjoy.”

This year’s Open will look a lot like previous years’, but Kemmer hopes to see attendance grow even further.

“We are expanding the areas of the event to handle larger volumes of attendees and positioning the event for significant future growth in future years,” he says.

Tickets cost $25 in advance online at www.wendyschiliopen.com and $30 at the gate the day of the event. Children 12 and under are free.

Tickets include admission to the zoo, all-you-can eat food, drinks, promotional items and entertainment by local cover band the Debits. A silent auction and raffles will also be part of the day’s fun.

Though a casual observer might be tempted to think Wendy’s chili is the only highlight of the food menu, such an impression would not do the event

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Director Emeritus Jack Hanna serves as honorary chairman of the Chili Open.

justice; a sizable variety of restaurants contribute to the day’s dining. Providing the snacks will be Wendy’s, Bel-Lago Waterfront Bistro, Nicole’s Catering, the Old Bag of Nails, City Barbeque, the Spaghetti Warehouse, CaJohn’s Flavor and Fire, and many more.

Back again this year is the Children’s Open, which will feature live animals, a bounce house, pizza, crafts, miniature golf, Wii games and more.

Jack Hanna will return as honorary chairman of the Chili Open.

Gail Martineau is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.

Wendy’s Chili Open

Feb. 4, 2012

12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Walk Like a

Weekly walks pay big dividends to physical health

In 2005, a Westerville cardiologist decided to take 30 minutes of each week to lead a free, voluntary, 30-minute walk, accompanied by some doctorly advice.

Six years later, Dr. David Sabgir’s program has taken on a life of its own.

It was, as they say, “just what the doctor ordered” for Westerville financial adviser Jon Volpi. For two years, he has been among the throngs who “Walk with a Doc,” a program that’s underway now in 45 communities nationwide and which will be available in at least 73 next year.

Sabgir was discouraged by the frequency with which his patients would listen to him advocate for the health benefits of walking and active living, promise to follow his advice on the way out of his office, then never follow through.

So he posted a simple sign in his office: “Let’s walk.”

As word spread to potential participants, Sabgir was hoping for an attendance level of 30 to 35 people at Sharon Woods Metro Park. His plan: a quick meet-and-greet, a brief talk – “I can tell when people are getting ants in their pants and it’s time for me to shut up,” he says – and a subsequent halfhour, at-your-own-pace walk. Sabgir hoped the 30 minutes would help attendees reach a goal of 150 minutes of walking per week.

He was nearly overwhelmed when 101 people showed up on that early spring day in April. The unexpected turnout quickly sent Sabgir a message about the importance of what he was offering.

It was as clear as day, he says: “You know what you have. You have to keep it up.”

So for that year, he spent each week meeting a varying number of people for a walk-and-talk, all organized and financed by Sabgir. The cost included healthy snacks, such as fruit and granola bars, and pedometers.

Sabgir considered joining forces with a potential food sponsor, but opted not to and dropped the walks in 2006. The upshot was that “We lost the trust of some people who felt ‘You abandoned me,’ ” he says. So he started it back up in 2007 with some financial support from pharmaceutical companies.

In the meantime, word spread about the acceptance among participants who were thrilled with the free medical discussions –not to mention the camaraderie that abounds on the walks – and other doctors and physical fitness organizations, among others, sought information about the walks.

Word reached the Cleveland Clinic, and a staff director there organized a walk, which led to others in that area. The repu-

Physician

Dr. David Sabgir

Physician

tation of the walks continued to circulate by way of medical associations, physicians, health agencies and individual participants. Sabgir continued providing information and organizational help through his office and at his expense.

In 2009, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield gave Sabgir a grant that allowed him to open a headquarters and hire an executive director, Kathryn Stephens – an Otterbein College graduate, Westerville resident and mother of two young sons. The office is a building near Mt. Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital. Sabgir, a hospital staff member, has his office in the adjacent building.

Thanks to the annual Antrim grants and other support, the office provides a “tool kit” to those who want to start a walk program. It contains information, posters, guidelines to be followed, pedometers and even prescription pads with pre-printed invitations to walk, which physicians can hand out to patients. Sabgir still pays for the website.

Sabgir, a 41-year-old father of two, works out daily – swimming, biking or running. He’s quick to point out that simply walking regularly can help prevent strokes, heart attacks, diabetes and various forms of cancer, as well as reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, to name just a few benefits.

While obesity is the most common problem

walkers have, Sabgir says, “Ninety-five percent of the people we see are under 150 minutes a week” being active. Recently, Sabgir attended an American Heart Association scientific conference in Orlando, Fla., where he heard numerous reports about research into genetics and related physiological traits, seeking clues for cures for all sorts of diseases.

He wasn’t especially impressed.

“We have a miracle drug (walking, exercise) right in front of us,” Sabgir says. “Let’s do this instead of spending a bazillion bucks” on endless research for cures.

In the Westerville area, Sabgir weekly meets a group that ranges in size from 10 to 200 people, depending on the weather, in Highbanks Metro Park. During the winter, that group, one from the Westerville Community Recreation Center and two others in northern Franklin County meet each Saturday at the Polaris Fashion Place mall before it opens.

Other groups meet in Tuttle and Eastland malls, Stephens says, while a Grove City group walks outdoors year round. Sabgir goes to about 42 walks a year.

For indoor sessions, doctors from the other groups rotate as leaders. Sabgir attends no matter who’s leading, though. Stephens, also physically active, visits various groups to become acquainted and join the walks.

Walkers go at their own speed. Some can walk “only five minutes.” Participants are urged to walk as fast as they can and still carry on a conversation, so speeds vary and are not set in stone. Nor is distance. It’s time that matters, Sabgir says.

Volpil serves as a prime example of the effect the program can have on people who are inactive, ailing or overweight.

“I was in poor health, I am overweight. I have heart disease and diabetes,” says Volpi, 65. “Since I started the program (two years ago), I have lost 40 pounds and have, by doctors’ orders, stopped taking two medications.”

Volpi sometimes walks a while before Saturday sessions, and usually afterward as well. As a result, “endurance and vitals have improved,” Volpi says. In addition, he tries to take 10,000 steps during the week. Walk with a Doc has made a huge difference in his outlook, he says.

“I have found doctors who believe in working with people at no cost to help them stay and get better,” says Volpi.

Volpi’s not short on praise for Sabgir, either. “He provides education, inspiration to help people,” Volpi says. “He’s very encouraging. It’s a tremendous program.”

Not everyone who participates starts in less-than-optimal health. Anne VanBuskirk of Westerville has joined most weekly outings, but she walked regularly before they started.

“I am a distance walker, having completed four marathons and about 18 half-marathons,” VanBuskirk says. “I really enjoy the social aspect of the walks and the opportunity for people to get medical information to which they might not otherwise be exposed. The message is terrific – to help people be more proactive about their health in a non-threatening, non-judgmental environment.”

For more information on the program, visit www.walkwithadoc.org.

Duane St. Clair is a contributing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.

Well Done

Wellness company owner’s home gym keeps her in shape

When former Fusion Fitness and Wellness studio owner Katy Henn closed up shop in Uptown Westerville, she sold most of her equipment.

But the sentimental and monetary value of her Pilates Reformer machines made it impossible for her to give up her last two.

“I had a small business in Westerville doing personal training, yoga, Pilates classes and when I closed it to … focus on my other business, I sold off some of it,” Henn says. “But my husband and I had invested a lot, and we knew we would use it and it’s really convenient.”

Fortunately, she knew right where to put them – in the 800-square-foot base-

ment rec room of her new house on Africa Road. After moving into the house in May 2010, Katy and her husband, Bryan, only needed to slap a coat of paint on the basement walls and replace the flooring before moving in their own equipment to turn the downstairs den into a well-appointed home gym.

“We painted, we changed the flooring. It was carpeted before, and that just pulls all the dirt and traffic,” Katy says. “The space we use is kind of interesting because if it wasn’t where our workout equipment is, I don’t know what it would be. I don’t know what someone would use it for, so now it has a purpose.”

The L-shaped room is split into two parts. The eastern side, with sliding glass doors that open out to the Henns’ driveway, has a desk where Bryan can work from home, a couch and a television.

Bryan uses the TV to follow along with the P90X extreme home workout DVDs, while Katy prefers yoga videos.

The western half of the room has a bar up against one wall with cabinets where the couple store medicine balls, weighted plates and resistance bands and tubes. It also does double duty as a coffee bar for their Keurig coffee maker – perfect placement, as it’s within arm’s reach to the right of Katy’s desk. Katy works from home as the CEO of Wellness Collective, a consulting firm that helps companies develop their own wellness programs.

To her left, the two remaining Reformers are a constant reminder for Katy to keep up with her fitness routine.

“I would say I’m down here (to work out) not as much as my husband,” she says. “I work out for my job, so I’m work-

ing out all day long. I especially used this space on maternity leave to help me get ready to go back to work, so I’m probably just down here a couple days a week.”

Having two Reformers is a boon when Katy has a friend over or when she can talk Bryan into working out with her.

“I like to get him on the Pilates equipment with me so I can show him all the things he can work on,” she says. “It’s really fun to work out together. We like to do that. It’s sometimes challenging with our schedules. He comes down in the morning. I come down whenever I can.”

The Reformers provide a full-body workout and offer a variety of exercise options. “It’s such a phenomenal workout. It’s a great piece of equipment. Some people liken it to a total body gym; you can pretty much do everything on it,” Katy says. “You can get resistance training and flexibility training and a little bit of an elevated heart

rate all in one workout.”

A water cooler, a BOSU Ball and a full rack of dumbbells ranging from three to 50 pounds round out the Henns’ home gym. “I feel fortunate to have this space, for sure,” Katy says, but even a small space with less equipment can be as effective in motivating wellness.

“I would encourage other people to invest a little bit of time and money in carving out their own space in their home dedicated to health and wellness, because a lot of people try to use a little corner of their basement, and because it’s not the most pleasant environment, they don’t want to go down there and use it,” she says. “It’s worth figuring all that out so you can have the convenience of having it in your own home. That sort of takes out the excuse of ‘I couldn’t get to the gym.’”

Lisa Aurand is a contributing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.

“I would encourage other people to invest a little bit of time and money in carving out their own space in their home dedicated to health and wellness...”

By Tyler Davis

Brazilicious

The tasty pastries of a Brazilian baker are offering all of the goodness with none of the gluten.

Westerville resident Daiane Bobka started Rio Delights in May, shopping her exotic, home-baked offerings around at farmers’ markets, as well as at Celebrate Local, an Easton Town Center store. Rio Delights baked goods are all-natural, gluten-free and, in many cases, lactose-free and vegan.

Those options are not new in Brazilian cuisine, which emphasizes a wide range of natural flavors.

Gluten-free products are continuing to gain popularity in central Ohio, and Bobka, who has lived with Brazilian cooking all her life, saw an inviting opening in the market. She hopes to eventually open her own storefront

to answer central Ohioans’ desire for healthful and special dietary foods.

“Some people need to eat differently, and some people just want to try something new or healthy,” Bobka says. “No matter what, we have delicious foods for every type of person.”

Bobka’s specialties include cocadas, muffin-shaped coconut sweets; biscoitos de polhilvos, miniature cookies; corn bread; sesame seed sticks; and cheese and potato bread. She also offers up an assortment of bonbons, with varieties including Brigadeiro (chocolate chip), Coconut Kiss, Samba (walnut), Caipirinha (lime), Copacabana Café (chocolate with coffee) and Bossa Nova (chocolate with walnuts).

For now, Rio Delights is a one-woman business operating from a home kitch-

en, but Bobka plans to keep looking for cafes and restaurants to sell her products so she can have a presence in as many more places.

Though Rio Delights’ No. 1 offering is baked goods, Bobka has an impressive library of Brazilian recipes, including a passionfruit mousse that can be enjoyed even by those whose diets forbid gluten and eggs.

More information on Rio Delights, including ordering, can be found at www.riodelights.com.

Tyler Davis is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@pubgroupltd.com.

Westerville baker serves up all-natural goodies

Passion Fruit Mousse

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk

• 1 cup cream

• 1 cup passion fruit juice

• Pulp of 2 medium passion fruits

• 1 cup water

• ½ cup sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Pass passion fruits through a sieve until you fill one cup with juice. Blend together condensed milk, cream and passionfruit juice until the ingredients are mixed. Place mixture in a bowl.

Reduce pulp, water and sugar on a stove for about 20 minutes until formed into a syrup.

Stretch (Picture Book)

By Doreen Cronin

The playful pup from Wiggle and Bounce hops into this bright, colorful rhyming book, inviting the preschool set to stretch in fun ways – to ride a breeze, grab a snack from a tree or catch a wave.

Gym Candy (Teen Fiction)

By Carl Deuker

Mick Johnson practices hard and takes vitamin supplements, but can’t resist a trainer’s offer of “gym candy,” or steroids, to give him an edge. Action is balanced with food for thought in this gripping sports novel.

The Do It Myself

Kids’ Cookbook: Nothing Sharp, Nothing Hot (Juvenile Nonfiction)

By Laurie Goldrich Wolf

From ranch dressing to raspberry lemonade, these 45 recipes are illustrated with step-by-step drawings and photos that guide even the youngest cook.

Crunch (Juvenile Fiction)

By Leslie Connor

Fourteen-year-old Dewey and his older sister have been entrusted with running the family bike shop. As the nation’s gas pumps are about to run dry, everyone soon will need a bike. Can Dewey handle the crunch?

American College

of Sports Medicine

Complete Guide to Fitness & Health

By Barbara Bushman

Seeking to achieve and maintain good health through the years? The American College of Sports Medicine provides the latest research, advice and recommendations you can trust.

Fitness Illustrated

By Brian Sharkey

You’ll see exercise from a new perspective as Sharkey takes you inside each activity to learn what works, what doesn’t and why. Discover how your body changes with increased activity.

The Strong Women’s Guide to Total Health

By Miriam E. Nelson and Jennifer Ackerman

Dr. Nelson reveals preventive measures that can be taken now to avoid health problems down the road. “Strong” means optimizing your potential for health and wellbeing.

Build an Exceptional Life

By Jillian Michaels

The Biggest Loser celebrity fitness trainer Jillian Michaels shares a three-part motivational program for overcoming mental obstacles to fitness endeavors.

Unlimited: How to