Westerville November/December 2012

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Westerville magazine

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

Charles L. Stein

Kathleen K. Gill

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Duane St. Clair

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Nov. 2-Dec. 28

Acoustic Open Mic

Fridays, 7-10 p.m., Java Central, 20 S. State St., www.java-central.com

Those with musical talent or aspirations are invited to sing and play at Java Central’s weekly open mic night.

Nov. 3

Rotary Honors Veterans

5K Walk/Run

9 a.m., Alum Creek Park, 221 W. Main St., www.rotaryhonorsvets5K.org

This annual event is presented by the city of Westerville to honor military personnel. Proceeds go to the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial.

Nov. 3

R U Bound

7 p.m., Java Central, 20 S. State St., www.java-central.com

Bluegrass trio R U Bound puts on a show.

Nov. 6-Dec. 18

Acoustic Jam

Tuesdays, 8-9:30 p.m., Java Central, 20 S. State St., www.java-central.com

Guitarist John Morgan hosts this weekly acoustic jam.

Nov. 8-10

Little Women

7 p.m., Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd., 614-797-6200

North’s student actors present Louisa May Alcott’s tale of four sisters growing up during the Civil War era.

Nov. 10

Otterbein Craft Bazaar

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Otterbein Campus Center, 100 W. Home St., www.otterbein.edu

The eighth annual bazaar features items handmade by more than 25 members of the Otterbein family and surrounding community.

Nov. 10

Westerville’s Got Talent

7 p.m., Westerville South High School, 303 S. Otterbein Ave., www.westervillelions.org

The Westerville Lions Club’s fundraiser offers an evening of entertainment from Westerville’s most artistically talented residents, chosen through an audition process in September.

Nov. 12

Veterans Day Breakfast

8:30-11 a.m., Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave., www.westerville.org

The city of Westerville honors veterans with breakfast and a short program.

Nov. 14, Dec. 12

Songwriters’ Group

7-9 p.m., Java Central, 20 S. State St., www.java-central.com

Richard Plank hosts this monthly meeting of songwriters.

Nov. 16

Mr. Lincoln’s Camera Man: An Evening with Matthew Brady

6:30 p.m., American Legion Post 171, 393 E. College Ave., 614-891-0821

The Westerville Historical Society and re-enactor Mark Holbrook present Matthew Brady, a 19th Century photographer best known for his photos of the Civil War.

Nov. 16

Evening of Elegance

6-10 p.m., Villa Milano, 1630 Schrock Rd., Columbus, www.westervillechamber.com

The Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce’s biggest fundraiser is now in its 26th year. This year’s event is themed “A Gatsby Affair” and attendees are encouraged to dress in their 1920s best.

Nov. 17

Bohemian Highway

7 p.m., Java Central, 20 S. State St., www.java-central.com

Folk trio Bohemian Highway performs at Java Central’s Saturday night concert.

Nov. 18 Fall Concert

3 p.m., Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mount Royal Ave., www.westervillebands.org

The Westerville Community Band presents the sounds of the season.

Nov. 18, Dec. 16

Bluegrass Jam

1-3 p.m., Java Central, 20 S. State St., www.java-central.com

Larry Schicks, Carl Yaffee and Heidi White host this monthly jam session.

Nov. 23-Dec. 9

Curtain Players Theatre presents Proof Curtain Players Theatre, 5691 Harlem Rd., Galena, www.curtainplayers.org

On the eve of her 25th birthday, a woman must deal with the recent death of her mathematician father and the repercussions it brings, including the return of her estranged sister and the interest of one of her father’s students, who seeks to decipher his mysterious notebooks.

Nov. 30

Westerville Tree Lighting Ceremony

7 p.m., Westerville Municipal Building, 21 S. State St., www.westerville.org

Westerville invites all residents out for this holiday tradition. The tree is donated by a Westerville area resident, and the event is hosted by the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Westerville Parks and Recreation Department.

Dec. 1

Gingerbread Cottage Craft Show

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Westerville South High School, 303 S. Otterbein Ave., www.gingerbreadcottage.org

The Gingerbread Cottage, now in its 15th year, is a fundraising event for the Westerville South High School Music Boosters with vendors, 90-plus crafters, concessions, raffles and music.

Dec. 1

Home for the Holidays

3-8 p.m., Uptown Westerville, www.shopuptownwesterville.com

This annual winter sale showcases the unique merchandise of Historic Uptown Westerville. Stop by for holiday music and a visit with Santa.

Dec. 2

Children’s Christmas Parade and Rudolph Run

1:30 p.m., north on state Route 3 from Heatherdown Drive to County Line Road, www.westervillesertoma.org

A parade for children and a 5K run highlight Westerville Sertoma’s annual Christmas tradition.

Dec. 2

Westerville Symphony presents Sounds of the Season

7 p.m., Battelle Fine Arts Center, 170 W. Park St., www.westervillesymphony.org

The symphony puts on its annual free holiday concert, a Westerville tradition.

Dec. 4-9

Holiday Open House

7-9 p.m. Dec. 4, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9, Hanby House, 160 W. Main St., www.hanbyhouse.org

Christmas trimmings, musical entertainment, house tours, refreshments and a brand-new video starring local talent are highlights of the Hanby House’s holiday celebration.

DECEMBER

Dec. 5

Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce 45th Anniversary

4:45 p.m., Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce, 99 Commerce Park Dr., www.westervillechamber.com

The chamber celebrates its 45th birthday with an informal event that offers number 45 themed prizes for attendees.

Dec. 6-9

Otterbein Department of Dance presents Pulse

Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., www.otterbein.edu

Otterbein presents an original dance concert inspired by today’s technology.

Dec. 8

Rotary Holiday Food Drive

W.A.R.M. Central Office, 175 E. Broadway Ave.; Kroger, 55 W. Schrock Rd.; Kroger, 7345 N. State St.; www.westervillerotary.com

The Rotary Clubs of Westerville – in addition to Otterbein Rotaract Club, high school Interact Clubs, Boy Scouts and Westerville Area Resource Ministry volunteers – hold their annual food drive. Those interested in donating can visit any of the three above sites. Volunteers will also be going door-to-door.

Dec. 8

Westerville Christmas Spectacular

11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mt. Royal Ave., 614-794-3298

Generations

Performing Arts

Center gives three presentations of its Christmas show – including toys coming to life and tap-dancing reindeer, accom panied by the music of

Dwight Lenox. The first show is a children’s concert.

Dec. 8

Southern Accent

7 p.m., Java Central, 20 S. State St., www.java-central.com

Bluegrass trio Southern Accent performs at Java Central’s Saturday night concert.

Dec. 14-15

Senior Directed One-Acts

7 p.m., Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Rd., 614-797-6200

All proceeds from this exhibition of shorts, directed by North seniors, go to the high school’s Booster Scholarship Fund for theater.

Dec. 15

Straub Dance Company presents The Nutcracker

2 and 7 p.m., Westerville South High School, 303 S. Otterbein Ave., 614-891-5525

The dancers of Straub Dance Company present a holiday ballet favorite.

Dec. 16

Holiday Concert

3 p.m., Westerville Central High School, 7118 Mount Royal Ave., www.westervillebands.org

The Westerville Community Band presents holiday favorites just in time for the season.

Dec. 22

Jennifer Milligan and Pascal Fouquet

7 p.m., Java Central, 20 S. State St., www.java-central.com

French blues duo Milligan and Fouquet performs at Java Central’s Saturday night concert.

News & Information from the City of Westerville

Road Map to the Future Set Forward with Strategic plan

By David Collinsworth, City Manager

There is an old saying that people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.

It was with that philosophy that Westerville City Council and administration set forward in late 2011 to establish the City’s road map to the future – an updated and re-visioned strategic plan, the first in about a decade.

The City of Westerville has a long history of good planning, and community leaders over time were diligent in looking out on the horizon to identify opportunities, as well as threats, and developing programs and initiatives around them to best leverage our preferred future state. This process was undertaken to formalize sets of plans and centralize our key directives in moving into the next several years.

As part of that planning process, the City set out to establish its mission, vision and core values for the first time. After the deployment of our citizen satisfaction survey and a series of resident and stakeholder focus groups, staff and Council pored over outcomes and matched them to the most relevant strategic topics facing our community.

We looked at hundreds of ideas, opinions and comments on existing and prospective programs, which provided invaluable intelligence into both opportunities on our horizon and expectations from our community.

The vision centers on what we desire as our future state, or our preferred con-

dition of being. It was important for us to state that no matter our growth and how we evolve in generations to come, we understand and embrace how deeply our residents appreciate the small-town feel of accessible, reliable city services and programs.

Westerville will be a safe, friendly, vibrant, attractive and diverse community, where people and families live, learn, work and play, and where a small-town feel and quality of life are valued.

Westerville will have a community-oriented government that is committed to innovation, affordability and the health, safety and welfare of its residents, business community, visitors and employees.

The mission statement came to define our daily commitment to delivering exemplary public services and caring for the physical assets of the community. It includes a clearly stated commitment to excellence in conducting the business of the city and preparing for our future, while at the same time embracing our distinct and rich community history.

The City of Westerville is dedicated to providing exemplary municipal services to our community and fostering prosperity while embracing our unique heritage and character.

Additionally, our core values were defined to guide and inspire organizational performance. For elected officials and staff, they are the principles of or-

ganizational life that become the foundation of our future-forward path.

Innovation

Stewardship

Excellence

Accountability

Integrity and Trust

Public Safety

Community Engagement

Employee Enrichment

One of the most prominent features of the strategic plan is its orientation around four key themes. Each theme carries a number of goals that support it, along with a detailed action plan and the tactical steps to carry it forward. These four areas are no less than the pillars of the plan.

Citizen Service and Relationships

Economic Development

Infrastructure

Financial Stability

Every important, strategic initiative for the City’s long-term success and vitality falls into one of the four areas by design. From the implementation of emerging technology to comprehensive development plans to securing long-term financial stability, the initiatives sketch what action steps will create the momentum needed in order to realize and fulfill our major goals and vision for the future.

This is the foundation of the plan. Everything we recognized as critical for our future health and success is embedded in these thematic areas. Throughout these strategic themes, there are measurable objectives, detailed action plans and accountability measures to help us build upon our momentum going forward.

For more information on the strategic plan, please visit www.westerville.org.

Staff profile: Jason Bechtold

are very passionate about Westerville. It contributes to what makes the services here top-notch, and why we excel as a community.

What are your goals for Westerville’s economic development efforts?

Economic Development Administrator Committed to Strong Business in Westerville

One word to describes Westerville’s Economic Development Administrator, Jason Bechtold: “committed.”

He grew up 122 miles northeast of Westerville in a Cleveland suburb, and remains to this day – in his words – a long-suffering Cleveland sports fan. With the same commitment it takes to await a championship for his Cleveland teams, Jason pursues an ambitious set of goals and a clear vision for Westerville’s business development.

Where are you from and how did you get to Westerville?

I grew up in Lakewood, Ohio. I had done my undergraduate work in political science, so I started looking at opportunities to go back to school. I went to The Ohio State University for a dual master’s degree in city and regional planning and public administration. Once I found my way to central Ohio, I never went back. I knew Westerville as a top-tier community, and I wanted to be part of that success as well as find the right place to raise a family.

How did you get started in economic development?

I started with an internship in Gahanna, training with zoning and planning processes and getting my first taste of the purpose of economic development. From there, I went to work in Delaware, where my position was a cross-section of

community development, planning and economic development. I think you have to have a commitment, desire and understanding to attract investment, attract business and help create jobs. For me, this was the right profession because every day in a successful, thriving business community is different, and each brings unique challenges and opportunities.

After working in other nearby communities, what in your opinion is different in Westerville?

There’s a great spirit of partnership in Westerville; it’s not one entity, but several collectively working together to meet the challenges of today. It’s also a testament to the major employers we have here. They are investing in Westerville because they can see we’re inclusive in our approach to our community. That is one of the things that drives me, especially when I have a chance to talk to a new business or a developer. They know right away it’s not just an investment in a piece of ground, but an investment in the community.

Westerville also has a unique appreciation of heritage, and the Uptown district showcases that. From Prohibition to the Underground Railroad, there is rich history here we connect to as part of our local culture. But it’s really the people within the organization as well as outside. People here are interested in bettering this community. They care deeply and

The ultimate goal is to further develop the economic base of the community, and I do that by packaging and balancing all our amenities. It’s having a strong public safety program, reliable utilities, a nationally recognized parks system, an efficient permitting process and programs like the nation’s first municipal data center. It’s about helping to create jobs and investment, whether reinvestment projects like those in Uptown or along South State Street or new investment, like that in Westar along Polaris Parkway.

What is the Medical Mile?

The Medical Mile is the stretch of the Cleveland Avenue corridor that is anchored by Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital, OhioHealth’s Westerville Medical Campus and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. It is the realization of very intentional efforts by the City to be a regional destination for access to health care.

When the city made the investment to attract St. Ann’s hospital more than 30 years ago as the first suburban hospital in central Ohio, it established Westerville as a place to access first-class health care options. We attracted other medical facilities over time, including Cardinal Orthopaedics, the Center for Surgical Dermatology and the corporate headquarters of Central Ohio Primary Care. The Westerville Community Center augments this mile so that it is also wellness-oriented. With proximity to I-71 and I-270, most of the population in central Ohio is within or under a 30-minute drive to these services.

Tell us about the WeConnect data center in Westerville.

I call this a game-changer in the economic development world. This is the next critical step to supplying the infrastructure needed to thrive in our community. Historically, cities needed to provide paved roads to get the workforce to work, which we do well; provide reliable, affordable electricity to keep the lights on, which we do well; or deliver safe, clean drinking water, which, again, we do well.

The data center is an infrastructure need of the modern society. In the current state of a global economy, businesses need access to high-speed Internet and data security. These are the new critical pieces of

doing business. So the City built the fiber infrastructure and connected it to the data center so carriers can come in and offer choice to our business community. Prior to this, it was an expensive proposition for a business – at any size – to build in these services and protect their expensive and precious data.

What’s next for the Uptown district?

Uptown is just a great, vibrant area. We actually have limited vacancies in Uptown, and when there is a vacancy, there are groups waiting to come in. We’re kicking off an Uptown planning process that is going to seek a lot of input from residents and businesses. It will look at parking and way-finding signage, as well as ideas and opinions on how to improve and take Uptown to the next level.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I love basketball and golf and, yes, I’m still heartbroken about Lebron James. My wife, Jennifer, works at Otterbein University, and she and I are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our little girl, our first child, around Christmastime.

Buy Now, Save More for 2013 Highlands Park Aquatic Center Season

Last year, the “Buy Now Save More” program was a great success. Plan ahead again this year and save 10 percent to get in on the fun at the Highlands Park Aquatic Center summer season.

From now until Dec. 31, season passes for 2013 are available at the discounted rate. Ultimate Passholders at the Westerville Community Center receive an additional 10 percent discount. Passes may be purchased at the Westerville Community Center (350 N. Cleveland Ave.).

Holiday Tree Disposal Information

Holiday trees can be disposed of as part of the normal yard waste collection (Monday). In order for holiday trees to be collected, they need to be placed at the curb with other yard waste. All decorations, lights, etc., must be removed from the tree, and the tree cannot be placed in any kind of bag. For more information, call 614-901-6740.

City Receives Auditor of State Award with Distinction

A recent financial audit of the City of Westerville by Auditor of State Dave Yost’s office has returned a clean audit report. The City of Westerville’s excellent record-keeping has earned it the Auditor of State Award with Distinction.

“Good finance is important to everything government does. We can’t expect good decisions and good management by the executives or sound budgetary decisions by Council unless the books are clean and accurate,” said Yost. “It is with great pleasure that I present the city with the Auditor of State Award with Distinction.”

The Auditor of State Award with Distinction is presented to local governments and school districts upon the completion of a financial audit.

In a presentation to Westerville City Council on Sept. 18, Brian Mead, Director of Regional Liaisons with the Auditor of State’s office, said, “Taxpayers expect this kind of accountability. Clean and accurate records save money. Accurate record-keeping is clearly a priority for the City of Westerville.”

Mead also noted that across the state of Ohio, fewer than 25 cities received this award.

The City of Westerville met these award criteria:

• Timely financial reports filed with the Auditor of State’s office in the form of a CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report);

• The audit report contains no findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, Single Audit findings or questioned costs;

• The City’s management letter contains no comments related to ethics referrals, questioned costs less than $10,000, lack of timely report submission, reconciliation, failure to obtain a timely Single Audit, findings for recovery less than $100, public meetings or public records.

The Auditor of State’s office, one of the independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,600 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies, and promotes transparency in government.

Introducing Improved Service Request

Pass a pothole or see a flickering street light? Now there is a new, improved way to “Tell Westerville.” In an effort to improve the reporting and tracking method for residents to report and request service, the City has launched a new portal accessible at www.westerville.org

Just click on the “Service Request” button on the right bottom side of the home page and you’ll be directed in a step-by-step approach to report an issue or ask a question. The system incorporates an interactive mapping feature for users to easily and precisely pinpoint the location. After submitting a report, the user can track its progress and will be notified via email when it is resolved. Check it out online and tell us what you think!

Brian Mead from the Auditor of State’s office presents the Award with Distinction to City of Westerville staff. From left to right, City Manager David Collinsworth, Mead, Director of Finance Lee Ann Shortland, Accounting Supervisor Dan Mullin and Assistant Finance Director Gina Love.

Credit Card Safety Key to Safe Holiday Shopping

Credit and debit cards are modern conveniences, but criminals have figured out several methods to steal, swipe or skim your financial information embedded in the card.

Several times this year, investigators with the Westerville Division of Police (WPD) have arrested multiple criminals for credit card thefts and fraud. In July, WPD broke a regional credit card fraud ring after a 15-month investigation conducted in cooperation with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbus Division of Police and the U.S. Secret Service, as well as several local businesses.

“Credit card fraud is getting worse, and this is happening in Westerville just as often as in Columbus or anywhere else,” said Lt. Paul Scowden. “Criminals are getting more sophisticated and even more brazen in identity theft, so it’s important to be diligent in protecting your information.” Shred, shred, shred. Yes, criminals are still known to “Dumpster dive” in order to find credit card or bank statements in a person’s trash. Use a paper shredder to completely destroy the documents you no longer need, or save them and take advantage of the “Shredding Day” service offered by Westerville Parks & Recreation each spring. Also, almost all financial institutions offer electronic statements. Opt in to have them delivered to you via email.

Monitor your mail. Stealing statements directly from the mailbox and re-routing the delivery address is another scheme. If you are expecting them to be delivered to the home, keep an eye out for them. Again, electronic payments and statements can help reduce this risk.

Track your statements. Keep track of your statements and regularly scan for discrepancies. Report anything unusual to your bank or credit card provider immediately, but also contact the credit bureaus and file a police report. Many reputable resources online offer step-by-step instructions on how to begin the process if you believe your identity may have been stolen.

Keep the card in sight. Maintain control of your card by swiping it yourself when you can, or keep your eyes on it at all times. Giving your card to a server at a restaurant, for example, is a typical way a card will go to a second location. In some cases, criminals have swiped a card through another reader to make a copy of the card’s information. Lt. Scowden says this method is also used at drive-through windows, where criminals quickly make a duplicate swipe. Watch and make sure they are not using multiple swipes to approve a charge, which may indicate the card reader is electronically copying the information off the magnetic strip for use later. Use cash when you can. Although this may not always be the most practical solution, save the use of a credit or debit card for when you can be more in control of the card. When shopping online, make sure the shopping portal is secure.

Parks & Recreation Special Events in November and December

Check out the full listing of events and holiday happenings online at www.westerville.org/parks. Note that most activities require registration and some events have associated fees.

teen Night

Friday, Nov. 9 and Friday, Dec. 14 – 6-9 p.m.

Westerville Community Center $5 per person; ages 11-14.

Military Service Appreciation Day

Sunday, Nov. 11 – noon-5 p.m.

Westerville Community Center

All active, retired and reserve military personnel have free access to the pool, gym and fitness area. Immediate family members receive half-price admission.

Veteran’s Day Celebration

Monday, Nov. 12 – 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Westerville Community Center

Pancake breakfast ($4 for attendees except veterans) in honor of our military veterans.

Swim with Santa

Sunday, Nov. 25 – 6-7:15 p.m.

Westerville Community Center

Pool time with Santa, photo included.

Snowflake Castle

Dec. 3-8 – Visit the Parks & Recreation website for times.

Everal Barn and Homestead

Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and help make a toy in the workshop.

Noon-lite Madness

Monday, Dec. 31

Westerville Community Center

It’s a preschoolers’ New Year’s Eve celebration with crafts and entertainment. FOLLOW

As another added measure of protection, always remain mindful of how you provide your credit card information to others. Be cautious about providing your credit card numbers over a cell phone, and avoid loaning your card to anyone, including family members.

All-City news and information

@tellwesterville

Westerville Parks & Recreation News, events and announcements (cancellations and updates)

@Westervillepark

Westerville Electric Division Outages, alerts and energy tips

@WvilleElectric

Westerville Division of Police Information, alerts and public safety information

@WestervillepD

In Memoriam

The Westerville community was saddened by the loss of two public servants in August and September.

Damon “Chip” Wetterauer, Jr. (Westerville City Council, 1989-2007)

Longtime Westerville public servant Damon “Chip” Wetterauer, Jr. passed away Aug. 22, 2012 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., surrounded by his family.

Chip – as he was known in Westerville – served four terms on Westerville City Council, beginning in 1989. An attorney, he served Council as Chairman, Vice Chairman and Vice Mayor, and held various committee and commission seats on behalf of the Westerville community.

He most recently chaired the 2010 Charter Review Commission, overseeing the effort to update and edit the Westerville charter to best reflect City programs and community governance needs. At that time, Chip said the Commission carefully went through the Charter page by page in order to understand what changes would be necessary and relevant to their impact on city government and the citizens of Westerville.

During his terms on Council, Chip helped establish a successful recycling program, used annexation and proper planning for continued growth, and approved major infrastructure improvements to advance the economic development of the City, particularly the Westar area. He was active in the passage of the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS) 2000 parks levy and in setting fiscal standards for City departments and functions. Chip was also dedicated to strong relationships with City Boards and Commissions, Westerville City Schools and neighboring townships.

Maynard Dils (Westerville City Manager, 1977-1985)

Former Westerville City Manager Maynard Dils passed away Sept. 21, 2012. He served the community as City Manager from 1977-1985, a term credited with strong economic development in the City of Westerville.

Maynard is remembered for his commitment to economic development, and was involved in the negotiations to bring St. Ann’s Hospital from downtown Columbus to Westerville. In addition, Westerville saw some of its biggest residential growth during Maynard’s tenure.

Prior to his retirement, Maynard was interviewed in 1984 about his vision for Westerville in the year 2000. Twenty-eight years before Westerville launched the nation’s first municipal data center, he predicted the city would be a high-tech office center in central Ohio. He also forecasted the significant economic growth in the northern section of the city. Maynard’s strong ambition for Westerville remains in place today as part of his legacy to the community.

7,800

Number of tons of salt (slightly more than our average winter use) that can be stored in the new salt storage facility.

Mark your Calendars

Holiday Tree Lighting

Friday, Nov. 30, 7 p.m.

Westerville Municipal Building Courtyard

The annual tree lighting ceremony features caroling, sweet treats and one of Santa’s first appearances in Westerville. Bring the entire family for a fun way to welcome in the holiday season.

Community Recreation Guide and Calendar

The Winter edition of the Westerville Community Recreation Guide will begin arriving in area homes the week of Nov. 19. Look inside for the City of Westerville 2013 calendar, special holiday events and details on important registration dates.

Online Resident Registration

Friday, Dec. 7

In-person Resident Registration

Saturday, Dec. 8

Online Open Registration

Sunday, Dec. 9

In-person Open Registration

Monday, Dec. 10

Snow Emergency

If more than three inches fall, a snow emergency automatically goes into effect and cars parked on streets must be moved or they will be towed. Updates to snow emergency declarations will be posted to the City website and social media accounts. However, a snow emergency may occur in the middle of the night, and updates may be delayed. In that case, please be mindful of the weather forecast for our region and park your car off the street if more than three inches is expected overnight.

Snow Removal Priorities

Emergency travel for fire, emergency medical and police personnel is the first snow removal priority. Arterial and secondary streets are cleared first. The second priority is to clear streets around schools and to facilitate traffic moving in and out of the city, which also impacts first- and second-tier roads. The third priority is to clear subdivisions.

Late last summer, construction was completed on a new salt storage facility for the City of Westerville. the “salt barn” is managed by the public Service Department, and is stocked and prepared for use in combating winter weather on Westerville roads.

Snow Shoveling

Residents and businesses are reminded that they are responsible for clearing their walkways. The City recommends shoveling snow away from the street so snow is less likely to get pushed back onto the driveway or sidewalk by a passing snow plow. If snow must be shoveled out to the road, it should be piled to the right side of the driveway (on two-way streets). This allows snow plows to reach the snow pile after they pass the driveway.

Westerville City Council (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

Business Boss

It’s full speed ahead in chamber chief’s 21st year on the job

IF JANEt tRESSLER-DAVIS HAD ANotHER

maiden name, it would have to be “Westerville.”

She was born in Westerville and has lived here her entire life. She’s the daughter of a former mayor and City Council member, and a graduate of Westerville South High School (just like her husband, Jim, and their two children) and Otterbein University. All her jobs have been in the community as well, save a couple years she spent working at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

In October, she began her 21st year as the up-tempo president and CEO of the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce. Davis toils tirelessly, it seems, to do all the position requires – and more – seeking results, not notoriety.

Her dedication became very obvious a year ago when she was offered and accepted the new chief of staff position at Otterbein and gave the chamber five weeks’ notice.

Privately, she wrestled with that decision. She was honored to have the chance to work with Otterbein President Kathy Krendl, she says. But still, she “was emotional. Crying all night. This is not the way it’s supposed to be,” she says.

After three weeks, “I decided I could not do it,” Davis says.

That didn’t end Davis’ involvement with her alma mater, though. If anything, she’s more involved, helping promote leadership for women in various ways as an alumna and chamber chief. She also helps students work with outside organizations dedicated to women in leadership.

And as the chamber leader, “I can help (Krendl) meet business people,” Davis says. “That’s part of our role.”

Davis spends endless hours doing the job she could not leave. On a typical busy day in September, she starts with a quarterly membership breakfast, to which she and some volunteers arrive early to set up.

After she and the crew clean up, she’s off to a meeting at the Westerville Area Resource Ministry; she recently helped plan its 40th anniversary events. Then there’s a meeting at the Municipal Building.

Back in Davis’ office, a new member wants to talk about getting involved in the organization. Then there’s a meeting with the Small Office Home Office group of small business members with nine or fewer employees. And then there’s a session with the staff to keep up with daily business, including plans for the Evening of Elegance, the chamber’s annual fundraiser.

She wraps up the day with a meeting of the chamber’s government relations committee, which hears an update from a U.S. Chamber of Commerce representative about federal laws and regulations.

“In a nutshell, it’s (typically) a 10- to 12-hour day,” Davis says. “I’m not complaining.”

She is, after all, the daughter of Jim Tressler, for 20 years a member of Westerville City Council and mayor for 11 of those years, so public service is in her genes.

In the community, she’s on the Westerville Public Library Foundation board, the Westerville Symphony Advisory Board, the Westerville Industrial Commission and the Leadership Westerville

board. She was on the Otterbein board for two terms and served on its presidential selection committee as well as selection committees for Westerville schools’ treasurer and superintendent.

And there’s a continuing, yet somewhat subtle, effort to recruit new chamber members. The current tally stands at 580, but Davis is hoping to bring it up – it once was over 700.

“We’re always working on it,” she says.

Outside her job, she has some time for other things. Her son, Jason, 22, is a

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sophomore at Otterbein, and her daughter, Jordan, is on the staff of the Columbus Partnership.

Davis adds a smiley face when she answers via email that she “likely” could wear her high school prom dress, in part, at least, because she finds time to be an instructor at two Urban Active centers twice weekly – fitness and abs Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and cardio, yoga and abs on Saturday mornings.

“I have done that (6 p.m. class) and changed clothes and made a dinner meeting,” she says. “I try to do yoga at least one other day and try to walk or ride my bike another day of the week.”

“It’s a way of life,” says the ultra-dedicated woman who serves without slowing.

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

45 Years of Careers Chamber

celebrates a big birthday in December

On Dec. 5, the number of the day for the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce will be 45.

That’s the day the chamber will celebrate its 45th anniversary with an informal event at the chamber’s office at 99 Commerce Park Dr., says Janet TresslerDavis, chamber president and CEO.

R.T. “Sarge” Beum orchestrated the beginning of the “modern” chamber to succeed one that had evaporated. Fellow Westerville residents Dick Fogel and Robert Ramage signed articles incorporating the 20-member organization in 1967.

Several events are planned to celebrate this birthday. The party will begin at 4:45 p.m., and the first four to arrive at starting time will get 45 “chamber bucks” to apply to admission to a chamber event next year. The 45th member to renew and the 45th new member will get price breaks, too.

Davis is looking ahead, as well, to the chamber’s annual meeting Jan. 22, when a new chairman, Mike MacKay, takes office. More 45-themed giveaways will be take place at the event to “kick us off moving forward into 2013 and the next 45 years,” Davis says.

By Garth Bishop

Student Santas

Westerville high schoolers raise money and buy gifts for the less fortunate

IF tHE SIGHt oF pRESENtS uNDER tHE

Christmas tree excites you, imagine seeing an entire gymnasium filled with them.

That’s a sight seen every year by students at all three Westerville high schools at the culmination of the Westerville Caring and Sharing Christmas program.

The program’s goal: to provide holiday gifts for less-fortunate students whose families cannot afford them.

Approximately 700 children in the Westerville City School District benefit. The program is open to all students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.

In 2011, the high schools raised a total of $55,124 for the program: $7,950 from Westerville South High School, $12,717 from Westerville Central High School and $34,457 from Westerville North High School. The high schools raise more money for Caring and Shar ing than any other entity.

“It’s important to teach them the ideal of giving back to the community,” says Jason Rowsey, a Spanish teacher and South’s program coordinator.

Students raise funds for their homerooms, and typically, every room hits its goal. It’s heartening to see students stepping up, says Jennifer Horn, a math teacher and Central’s coordinator for the fundraising drive.

“I’ll hear them talking and saying, ‘I’m not going to buy dessert at lunch today, I’m going to give to (Caring and Sharing) instead,’” says Horn.

Melissa Simashkevich, a guidance counselor and North’s program co-coor dinator, remembers a drive a few years ago during which a student donated his entire paycheck to Caring and Sharing.

“I’ve seen some students who have kind of been in the background really come out and lurch forward as a citizen and take the lead on some of these projects,” says Spanish teacher Jen Zimmer, North’s other coordinator.

Once the fundraising is done, students volunteer to go shopping for items on the wish lists given to them by program ad ministrators. Because money is limited, students often become savvy shoppers.

“They do a good job of going there, price comparing and spending the least amount of money possible on these items so they can get more items on the list,” says Rowsey.

Finally, each school has an assembly at which students see the total amount of money raised and the entire supply of gifts they bought.

Westerville Caring and Sharing, an all-volunteer nonprofit, also organizes a holiday meal for qualifying children and their families and a back-to-school donation program.

Garth Bishop is editor of Westerville Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Westerville Central High School p rincipal todd Spinner speaks to students at the school’s 2011 Caring and Sharing assembly. Gifts bought with the program’s proceeds are laid out on the gymnasium floor.

AllJingle the Way

Shop the best of Westerville with Westerville Magazine’s Holiday Gift Guide

Outstanding Originals

Amish originals always has a huge assortment of ornaments and gift items for the holidays, in addition to its usual complement of high-quality furnishings, and this year is no exception. These vintage tabletop trees range from $12.99 to $34.99, while the decorative reindeer centerpieces range from $14.99 to $39.99. www. amishoriginals.com

The Pleasure of the Cupcake

Snow Way

Snowman, meet snow globe. outside Envy has plenty of winter- and holiday-themed decorations to suit all your needs. These snowman decorations range from $7.99 to $9.99. www.outside-envy.com

Taco Time

Taste of Westerville patrons agreed: Nobody bakes like Bess. Bess’ Cakery rolls out cakes of all shapes and sizes, as well as treats like these popular red velvet cupcakes -- $2 each, minimum of six per order. www.besscakery.com

Vintage Valuables

For the fan of Mexican food, pick up a gift certificate at yabo’s tacos Certificates to this tasty taqueria can come in any denomination. www. yabostacos.com

One-of-a-kind is the name of the game at Edwin Loy Home|Design, which just opened its doors this summer. Vintage items, home décor and smaller pieces like these decorations await shoppers this season. www. edwinloy.com

Chocolate in Bloom

Don’t worry – they’re not poisonous like the real thing. These chocolate poinsettias, available starting at $28.95 per set at Chocolaterie Stam, will make a stunning snack for whomever receives them. www.stamchocolate.com

Dance Steps

Help a student or adult enhance his or her life through dance at Straub Dance Company. The studio offers gift certificates in any denomination for anyone interested in picking up a few new moves, with classes starting at $40 per month. www. straubdance.com

Antique Allure

You’ll always be able to find a unique item for the home of a friend or relative at Westerville Antiques. Antique jewelry, books and toys like these are just a small portion of the store’s offerings. www.westervilleantiques.com

Encore! Encore!

Buckle Up

Encircle is looking to add some artistic flair to your shopping this year. These purses, handbags and clutches made from seat belts start at $100. www.encircleart.com

Musical instruments are common holiday gifts, but what’s the next step for the recipient? Encore Music Studios has the answer – and gift certificates for anyone interested in piano, violin, trumpet, guitar or voice lessons. www.encore musicstudios.com

Beautiful Butterfly

The Black Butterfly – a 14-karat gold pendant with a black opal stone and a ruby set in the curl, $2,100 – is just one of the custom jewelry offerings at Morgan’s treasure. For those looking to pop the question this holiday, the shop also has a sizable selection of bridal jewelry. www.morganstreasure.com

Performance Presents

Generations performing Arts Center offers options for youngsters who want to learn to dance, starting as low as $40 per month. Ballet, tap and jazz are popular among school-age children, while creative movement is big among preschoolers. www.gen-pac.com

Pet Placemats

A pet’s “kitchen table” can be more than just a dish on the floor with one of these custom dog and cat bowl mats from K.A. Menendian Rug Gallery. Cat rugs are $45; dog rugs are $45 or $75, depending on size. www.karugs.com

A Dickens of a Gift

Roush Hardware sells much more than just hardware – a look at its gift area proves that. These Department 56 collectibles, ranging from $50 to $200, are enjoying enormous popularity as holiday decorations. www. roushhardware.doit best.com

Flower Power

This clear teapot for flowering teas, $34.99, offers a whole new teatime experience. The Longing Heart flower, $2.50 each, is just one example of the hand-crafted artisan teas at Blue turtle tea & Spice Co. www.blueturtleteand spice.com

Record Setter

For that friend or relative who hasn’t lost the love for vinyl, A Gal Named Cinda Lou has more than 4,000 records to peruse. The store even repurposes some of them, as with these $5 record bowls. www.cindalou.org

Amazing Arrangements

Reno’s Floral & Fine Gifts is a fullservice flower shop and so much more, with items ranging from jewelry and handbags to scarves and decorations. This necklace, $50, and evening bag, $45, are just two examples. www. renosfloral.com

Capital Coffee

Whether it’s the standard House Blend or one of the many specialty flavors, Java Central has something the coffee drinker on your shopping list will love. Bags of beans are $6.99 apiece. www. java-central.com

The Need for Seed

A bird’s-eye view never looked as good as it did with these special seed designs from Wild Birds unlimited –$9.99 for Hoot the Owl and $18.99 for Buttons the Snowman or Preston the Penguin. The store recently moved from Cherri Park Square to 750 N. State St. www.westerville.wbu.com

Picking Up…

Send a special message with your gift of wine from Good Vibes Winery Custom labels are $5 each and can accompany any of Good Vibes’ 30 wines, all of which are unique to the winery. www.good-vibes-winery.com

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Artistic Direction by Stella Hiatt Kane

Crafting a Kitchen

Redesign sends old home’s kitchen back to its roots

SHoRtLy AFtER MoVING INto HER home on West Plum Street in 1984, Deidre Justice sensed that something about the house was awry.

Upon further investigation, she discovered that the kitchen and dining room had been swapped from their original locations.

The house, an American Foursquare built in the early 1900s, was part of the American Craftsman era of design. When Justice bought the home, it still possessed many elegant, original features – such as pocket doors and a bay window – but they were hidden behind kitchen counters and appliances.

By the time she retired from her job as an art teacher for Westerville City Schools,

Justice had pulled together enough money to restore the house to its original layout.

“(I’d) been saving my pennies for 27 years,” says Justice.

In the course of planning the renovation, Justice decided to give her kitchen a sophisticated facelift that would provide cohesion among all the rooms.

Justice looked into various design options, but she found a compatible vision in Angela Bonfante of Upper Arlingtonbased Angela Bonfante Kitchen Designs. In May, the two teamed up with Cornerstone Remodeling of Marysville to take on the project, and the vision soon became a reality.

The kitchen now features old-fashioned push-button light switches and a Carrera

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marble countertop, as well as custom quarter sawn oak cabinets made by Richard Booth of Lewis Center. Every aspect of the design was chosen to represent the Craftsman era

“If I was going to put the kitchen back the way it was, I thought I ought to make it of the era,” says Justice. “I’m a purist when it comes to things like that.”

While most of the remodel’s elements are vintage, the kitchen also features LED cabinetry lights – both underneath and inside. The cabinet doors have windows designed to feature Justice’s collection of McCoy pottery.

“We have incorporated a lot of interesting storage options,” says Bonfante, referencing the unique display.

While Justice and Bonfante are pleased with the finished product, they admit it wasn’t always smooth sailing. The project wrapped up in early September, two months behind schedule. But as the team

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Highlights such as push-button light switches, a Carrera marble countertop and custom quarter sawn oak cabinets give Deidre Justice’s kitchen a look reminiscent of the American Craftsman era in which it was built.

Presentedby the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce Showcasing businesses from across the region.

Are you interested in promoting your business?

Friday, November 16, 2012 6 PM Villa Milano (1630SchrockRd.,43229)

Featuringaliveandsilentauction,dinner,dancing,chocolatecandyraffleandmuchmore!

Quarterly Membership Meeting

Featuring Congressman Pat Tiberi

Monday, December 10, 2012 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. The Medallion Club (5000ClubDr.,43082)

$25forChamberMembers

$35fortheGeneralPublic

was working on a small addition to the back of the home, it ran into some unstable foundation. Bonfante took it in stride, saying it’s just a part of the job.

“You can always anticipate a delay,” she says.

Fortunately, Justice’s new kitchen was still finished in time for the Home Improvement Showcase put on by central Ohio’s chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Justice’s home was one of 16 featured on the tour, Sept. 29-30.

Justice was pleased to be featured, but agrees with Bonfante’s assessment that the new kitchen has given her an even greater gift by making her kitchen more inviting.

“It’s all about bringing your friends and family together,” says Bonfante.

Rose Davidson is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

Hear the congressman’s outlooks on top legislative issues. Q&A session will immediately follow the presentation.

By Alex Wallace

Taste Test

Library’s Cookbook Club

lets chefs try before they buy

A GooD CooKBooK MIGHt HAVE A lot of vivid pictures of the dishes in it, but it’s too bad there’s no way to try several at once without having to prepare all of them.

Or is there?

The Westerville Public Library just might have the answer.

The library’s Cookbook Club was formed three years ago.

Mandie Burns, assistant manager of customer services, realized it can be tough to gauge the value of a cookbook without sampling an assortment of the items in it. She started the Cookbook Club three years ago to solve that problem.

Now, each member can try 15 to 20 recipes from the same cookbook.

Burns was working in the Adult Services department and wanted to create a program that would attract adults to do something at the library beyond just checking out books.

“I wanted to bring a larger number of people into the library on a regular basis to do something fun,” Burns says.

Current club adviser Jennifer Adkins chooses a theme and a corresponding cookbook each month. Usually, the theme will go along with the season. For example, the group cooks back-to-

school snacks in August and casseroles in November.

“We never cook Thanksgiving food for our November meetings since those meetings generally fall around Thanksgiving, and everyone is mostly burnt out,” Adkins says.

In December, there is usually a cookie theme – one of the most popular themes over the years.

The selected cookbook is reserved for members to pick up. Each person must choose a different recipe and make the dish for the next meeting.

Members often talk about how much fun they have preparing the dishes –and getting to try all the other prepared dishes, of course, Adkins says.

The atmosphere is very informal and relaxed. At the start of each meeting at 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month, food is arranged around the room, each dish accompanied by the recipe and the name of the person who prepared it. Then club members dig in.

Afterward, Adkins leads a discussion about the cookbook. The discussion touches on the book aesthetics, difficulty of the recipes, availability of the necessary ingredients and expectation of the result compared to the outcome.

Members range in age from teens to seniors.

“Typically, we have the same core group, but anyone is welcome,” Adkins says.

Adkins would like to see the club expand and use the new membership to generate ideas for other unique adult clubs.

Alex Wallace is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@ cityscenemediagroup.com.

Cookbook Club member Mary Roddy (left) and library staffer Susan Smith show off some of the treats made for one of the club’s meetings.

Extra-Cheesy Mex Mac ‘n Cheese

Featured in the Mexican Made Easy cookbook by Marcela Valladolid

Ingredients:

• 9 Tbsp. unsalted butter

• 3 large shallots, minced

• 1 ½ cups plain dry bread crumbs

• 2 Tbsp. ancho powder

• 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 1 (1-pound) package mini elbow macaroni

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 qt. whole milk

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• 2 cups shredded mild Manchego cheese

Directions:

Heat 4 tablespoons of butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and sauté until translucent, 5 minutes. Mix in the bread crumbs to coat with the butter, add the ancho powder and fresh thyme, and season with salt. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9” by 13” glass baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package instructions until tender but still firm to the bite. Drain well.

Meanwhile, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the flour and stir for 1 minute; do not brown. Whisk in the milk in a slow steady stream. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking often, until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Whisk in 1 cup of mozzarella, 1 cup of cheddar and 1 cup of Manchego. Season generously with salt and pepper. Stir in the pasta and pour into the prepared baking dish.

Mix the remaining 1 cup mozzarella, 1 cup cheddar and 1 cup Manchego in a medium bowl. Sprinkle over the pasta. Top with the bread crumbs. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is golden, 12 minutes. Serve immediately.

Kay and Jerry Johnston moved into The Village for a short-term respite stay. That was two years ago!

“We had so much fun here, we sold our condo in Florida and made The Village our new home,” said Jerry. “Looking back, I wish we had made the decision sooner. Life is good at The Village!”

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Pete the Cat Saves Christmas

(picture book)

By Eric Litwin

Pete the Cat provides his own groovy version of “The Night Before Christmas.”

from Becky O’Neil, Youth Librarian

Martha Stewart’s Handmade Holiday Crafts

From the editors of Martha Stewart Living

Discover projects, tips, inspiration and techniques for exploring crafts with your family.  The 10 holiday themes range from Christmas and Hanukkah to Father’s Day.

The Third Wheel (juvenile fiction)

By Jeff Kinney

Greg Heffley is back in Book 7 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and this time he and Rowley are worried about getting dates for the Valentine’s Day dance.

Wonder (juvenile fiction)

By R.J. Palacio

Fifth-grader Auggie

Pullman, who was born with severe facial deformities, attends a mainstream school for the first time, testing the empathy and acceptance of all those around him.

The Fault in Our Stars (teen fiction)

By John Green

Sixteen-year-old Hazel has come to terms with her diagnosis of terminal cancer when she meets and falls for Augustus at her kidswith-cancer support group.

4 Ingredients

Christmas: Recipes for a Simply Yummy Holiday

By Kim McCosker

Keep stress to a minimum by using recipes from this newly released holiday cookbook. Each recipe calls for four or fewer ingredients.

Gluten-Free and Vegan Holidays

By Jennifer Katzinger

The author and founder of the famed Flying Apron Bakery in Seattle presents delicious recipes and appealing photos for traditional holiday dishes, both sweet and savory.

Being Santa Claus: What I Learned about the True Meaning of Christmas

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