Westerville July/August 2013 by CityScene Media Group

People, places and pets of Westerville, captured by camera-savvy residents

The Warriorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Way Community Garden Hike Through History Arts Fest

US FROS O L

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City Reporter Westerville News and Information

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Ballet • Tap • Jazz Hip Hop • Baby Dance

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www.wester villemagazine.com CityScene Media Group also publishes: CityScene Magazine www.CitySceneColumbus.com Dublin Life Magazine www.DublinLifeMagazine.com Tri-Village Magazine www.TriVillageMagazine.com Healthy New Albany Magazine www.HealthyNewAlbanyMagazine.com Pickerington Magazine www.PickeringtonMagazine.com The publisher welcomes contributions in the form of manuscripts, drawings, photographs, or story ideas to consider for possible publication. Enclose a SASE with each submission or email gbishop@ cityscenemediagroup.com. Publisher does not assume responsibility for loss or damage. The appearance of advertising in Westerville Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the advertiser’s product or service by the City of Westerville. Westerville Magazine is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, September and November. For advertising information or bulk purchases, contact Nick Lannan at nlannan@cityscenemediagroup.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. Westerville Magazine is a registered trademark of CityScene Media Group. Printed in the U.S.A.

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Inside 09

JULY/AUGUST 2013 VOL. 12 NO. 6

06 community calendar 09 city reporter

City Reporter

News and Information from the City of Westerville

16 faces

Breaking the Curse Longtime North teacher hopes to snap the Warriors’ losing streak

18 in focus

The Plot Thickens Learning opportunities abound in Otterbein’s community garden

20 Shutterbugs

Photos of the people, places and pets of Westerville, captured by camera-savvy residents

I’m Here to Get You There! Travel Designer/Customized Vacation Experiences

Mexico & the Caribbean Las Vegas • Hawaii Destination Weddings Cruises And all points in between! Gerhart Travel gerhartk@mac.com • www.gerharttravel.com

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26 living

Hoof it Through History Walking tour highlights the elements that help make Westerville what it is today

28 on the table

Frost and Found

Franchise’s heavy-laden cupcakes capture hearts in Westerville

30 Future-Focused Festival

Organizers ramp up the kids’ activities at 40th annual arts fest Visit www.westervillemagazine.com to view Bookmarks from the Westerville Public Library

Find Westerville Magazine on Facebook and Twitter

On the Cover: Shutterbugs photo by Amy Parry Feature, Page 20.

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

2013

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

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Uptown Westerville Farmers’ Market 3-6 p.m., North State and East Home streets, Uptown Westerville, www.marketwednesday.com Each Wednesday through October, the Uptown Westerville Farmers’ Market offers seasonal produce, plants, flowers, confections, breads, organics, meats, honey, syrup, jams, salsas and more.

July 4

Independence Day Celebration 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Alum Creek Park, 221 W. Main St., www.westervillerotary.com The Rotary Club of Westerville presents the city’s Independence Day celebration. The day’s activities include the 5K Run and Walk at 8 a.m., the Children’s Fun Run at 9 a.m., the parade at 1 p.m. (during which food donations for the Westerville Area Resource Ministry will be collected), the Westerville Symphony’s Sounds of Freedom concert at 9 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m.

July 6-Aug. 31

Live Music at Java Central 7-10 p.m., Saturdays, Java Central, 20 S. State St., www.java-central.com Each Saturday features professional performances by groups or individual singers with genres including rock, folk, pop, bluegrass and jazz.

July 7-28

Sounds of Summer Concert Series 6:30 p.m., Sundays, Alum Creek Park, 221 W. Main St., www.westerville.org Performances include Breezin’ Smooth Jazz on July 7, Agent 99 on July 21 and Select Phaze on July 28. There is no performance July 14.

July 10-31

Family Concert Series 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Alum Creek Park, 221 W. Main St., www.westerville.org Guests include the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on July 10, Storytelling with Candace on July 17, Endless Recess on July 24 and the Westerville Concert Band on July 31.

July 11-27

Otterbein Summer Theatre presents Little Shop of Horrors Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., www.otterbein.edu Otterbein University’s final summer performance is the popular musical about meek flower shop employee Seymour and his struggles with Audrey II, a plant bent on world domination.

week of individualized instruction, culminating in an exhibition and reception with the children’s work on display.

July 19

Touch a Truck 10 a.m.-noon, Westerville Sports Complex, 325 N. Cleveland Ave., www.westerville.org Children get the chance to see up close the vehicles of Westerville, such as police cruisers, fire trucks and cement mixers.

July 19

Classic Movie Series Dusk, Everal Barn at Heritage Park, 60 N. Cleveland Ave., www.westerville.org This month’s classic movie is An American Tail.

July 21

Beethoven 5K 8 a.m., Memorial Stadium, 1 Otterbein College, www.westervillesymphony.org The Beethoven 5K is a run with a twist – Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is broadcast on Classical 101.1 FM and played for runners at music stations throughout the course.

WesterFlora Garden Tour 1-7 p.m., throughout Westerville, www.westerflora.com “A Festival of Gardens” is the theme for the 22nd annual WesterFlora tour. There will be 10 to 12 gardens on the tour, and some will feature live music, artists painting and “Flower Fortune Tellers” who can explain the significance of each flower.

July 13-14

July 26

July 15-19

July 28

July 13

Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce Music & Arts Festival 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Heritage Park and Everal Barn, 60 N. Cleveland Ave, www.westervillechamber.com See story on page 30. Uptown Art Camp David Myers Art Studio & Galleries, 7 W. Main St., www.davidmyersart.com For the 10th year, children ages 5-16 can improve their artistic technique through a

OhioHealth 4th Friday: World Bazaar 6-9 p.m., Uptown Westerville, www.visitwesterville.org World Bazaar is a celebration of customs and cuisine. The event features arts and crafts, business vendors, entertainment, displays, children’s activities, and more. Tapestry of a Town: A Walking Tour of Westerville 1-5 p.m., in and around Uptown Westerville, www. visitwesterville.org See story on page 26.

Sponsored by the Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau For more events, visit www.visitwesterville.org

www.westervillemagazine.com

AUGUST Aug. 3

Westerville Caring and Sharing Distribution Day Throughout Westerville, 614-470-4320, www.facebook.com/ westervillecaringsharing Westerville Caring and Sharing’s annual Back-to-School project provides school supplies, backpacks, personal hygiene items and more to Westerville City Schools students in need. Items will be collected beginning July 28 and handed out Aug. 3.

Aug. 4-11

Sounds of Summer Concert Series 6:30 p.m., Sundays, Alum Creek Park, 221 W. Main St., www.westerville.org Performances include The Ohio State University Alumni Band on Aug. 4 and the Westerville Symphony on Aug. 11.

Aug. 10

Bish Bash 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Westerville Christian Church, 471 E. College Ave., www. sambishfoundation.org This fundraiser for the Sam Bish Foundation, which raises awareness and support for families affected by pediatric cancer, features a silent auction, Star Wars characters, a magic show, food trucks, music, carnival games and more.

Aug. 10

Rock the ’Ville Noon-9 p.m., Uptown Westerville, www.westerville.org This special Year of the Arts event features live music, dance groups, chalk art, sculpture, fashion, spoken word, authors and artists.

Aug. 22

The Mortal Instruments Release Party 3-4:30 p.m., Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., www.westervillelibrary.org Games, trivia and costumes are all part of this party to celebrate the release of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, the first film adaptation of the young adult fantasy novel series.

Aug. 25

Music in the Gardens 3-5 p.m., Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., www.inniswood.org Dixieland jazz band the High Street Stompers performs as part of Inniswood’s summer concert series.

Aug. 31-Sept. 1

International Chili Society Championships 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Aug. 23 CaJohn’s Flavor & OhioHealth 4th Friday: Fire Factory, 816 Dog Days of Summer Green Crest Dr., 6-9 p.m., Uptown Westerwww.facebook. ville, www.visitwesterville.org com/icsohiochilicookoff Dog Days of Summer CaJohn’s hosts two features fun activities consecutive chili championfor hounds and humans, ships: the Buckeye Regional including vendors selling competition Saturday and dog-related products the Ohio State Regional and services. competition Sunday.

Aug. 13

Westerville Garden Club Meeting National Night Out 6:45-9 p.m., 6:30-9:30 p.m., Westerville Public throughout Westerville, Library, www.westerville.org 126 S. State St., This national event is www.westervilleintended to heighten gardenclub.com crime and drug prevention, The club’s monthly support local anti-crime meeting features programs, and promote a free seminar neighborhood pride and on vegetable police-community partnerships. gardening by Don Humpfrey.

Aug. 6

Aug. 7-28

Aug. 14

First Day of School www.westerville. k12.oh.us

Aug. 16

Classic Movie Series Dusk, Everal Barn, 60 N. Cleveland Ave., www.westerville.org This month’s classic movie is The Goonies.

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CityReporter News & Information from the City of Wester ville

Westerville Parks & Recreation Has Gold Medal in Sight along with other finalists, is judged in a variety of categories, centered on how well the department meets the needs of the audiences it serves, including residents, businesses and visitors. An application process for the gold medal began earlier this spring, with a committee of staff and volunteers working together to tell Westerville’s story. This is the first year the department has been eligible for the gold medal since winning in 2007. NRPA requires a five-year term before winning departments can again apply for the award.

Long-range planning is one of the key elements to the national gold medal award, and the Westerville Parks & Recreation Department is well-versed in strategic planning. The Parks & Recreation Master Plan, which supports the City’s overall strategic plan and is now in development, is the department’s vision for the future. While the plan was in development since late last year, the community was a key collaborator with this version. Through months of focus groups, surveys and special events, the community helped shape and define priorities and opportunities for the next generation of the community’s parks and recreation services. From thousands of interactions with the community, here’s an overview of the feedback:

“Westerville is known nationally for its excellence in parks and recreation, and our history with the gold medal is a big part of the reason we have such an outstanding reputation,” said Randy Auler, Westerville Parks & Recreation Director. “Westerville residents and participants have shown a strong, lasting commitment to parks, green and open spaces, and recreational programming, and we’re so honored to bring that full-circle and back to the community we serve.” The winning communities will be announced in October at the NRPA national conference in Houston, Texas. Keep your fingers crossed for No. 4, Westerville.

• Expand Community Center • Upgrade existing parks • Improve access to waterways • Provide older adult/Senior Center space Most Important Programs (survey-rated): • Adult fitness and wellness • Community special events • Outdoor adventure and nature

What We Heard Community participation exceeded our expectations, but survey results exceeded national standards: • 93% have used a park or facility within the last year. • 67% rated park quality as “Excellent.” • 60% have participated in a program. • 62% rated program quality as “Excellent.” • 85% of residents feel use of the income tax has been “Good” or “Excellent.”

What We Expect • These community demographics and characteristics are changing, reflecting national trends and statistics. • A greater emphasis is being placed on public health in parks and recreation programming. • Non-traditional outdoor and adventure recreation opportunities are on the rise. • Baby Boomers are more active than older adults of previous generations, and have different and evolving wants and needs from recreational services. • Our community is culturally and ethnically diverse, and Parks and Recreation is meeting the needs of our changing demographics.

Most Important Improvements (survey-rated): • Expand bikeways and walkways

For more information on the Westerville Parks & Recreation Master Plan, please visit www.westerville.org/parks.

www.westervillemagazine.com

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What is one of the major goals of a three-time national gold medal winning department? A fourth gold medal. In that spirit, the Westerville Parks & Recreation Department is excited to announce it is among the finalists for the 2013 National Recreation & Parks Association (NRPA) gold medal award. The NRPA gold medal is the association’s most prestigious award, honoring communities throughout the nation that demonstrate excellence in longrange planning, resource management and agency performance. Westerville,

News & Information from the City of Wester ville

Staff Profile

Crime Prevention Specialists Set on Safer Westerville

Preston Tartt, left, and Pierre LaRose, right

Pierre LaRose and Preston Tartt were each led to a career in crime prevention by way of a desire to help people and contribute to their communities. As Crime Prevention Specialists for the Community Services Bureau of the Westerville Division of Police, they are responsible for merging crime prevention techniques with community engagement, as well as tracking and analyzing crime trends in and around Westerville. Where are you from? How did you get to Westerville? PL: I grew up in Pickerington and graduated from Pickerington High School North in 2004. From there, I received my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati and my master’s in criminal justice from the University of Toledo. Following graduate school, I attended the University of Toledo College of Law for one year. Before coming to Westerville, I worked for Franklin County as a case facilitator for criminal offenders. During that time, I performed case management duties, as well as taught drug education class to offenders at the Franklin County Community Based Correctional Facility. My interest in the Crime Prevention Specialist position stemmed from an internship I completed in 2008 with the Cincinnati Police Department (Neighborhood Liaison Unit). PT: I am from Cincinnati, and ended up working in loss prevention for a re10

tailer in Indianapolis and Cincinnati. I knew that I was not going to want to do loss prevention for the rest of my life, so I decided to start looking sooner rather than later. I noticed the Westerville opportunity and thought that it would be a good fit for me. What guided you into a career in public safety and law enforcement? PL: I wasn’t really interested in public safety/law enforcement until I went to college. Both of my parents had degrees in engineering, so I followed that path until deciding it wasn’t something I was passionate about. I wanted to get involved in a field that helped people, so criminal justice was a natural fit. PT: Growing up, I was always excited when I saw a police car flying by. By my senior year in high school, my mom and I sat down with the guidance counselor, and I said that I either wanted to study education or criminal justice. The counselor went through a few schools that offered one of the programs, but Bowling Green State University had both so I chose BGSU. I enjoyed my classes so much I just stuck with them from undergrad through grad school. What are your objectives in crime prevention for the community? PL: My objectives in crime prevention for Westerville are to develop practical

strategies for deterring crime. We are trying to accomplish this by increasing awareness about pertinent issues in the community and working with the residents to develop ideas that will benefit the community and increase the effectiveness of the police. We are also trying to expand the reach of the Community Services Bureau into the Westerville City School District and work with young people to improve their decision-making. I think that our age, educational backgrounds and work backgrounds allow us to relate well with students of all demographics. PT: To do whatever we can to address any concerns within the community. We also want to celebrate and assist with anything that is going well, too. We work to continue to get the information out to people in the community and ensure there is dialogue between residents and the police department. Also, I enjoy working with young adults and teenagers, so I am looking forward to continuing to meet with young people and students, as we already have at some of the schools. What are the current programs you utilize to accomplish those objectives? PL: Currently, we use software for data analysis/crime mapping, and we are exploring using some other programs to assist us in statistical analysis and information sharing. We are also working to expand and improve the community events that the police department manages, and we would eventually like to add additional programs to the list. PT: We’re still doing all of the great programs WPD is known for. We have given the newsletter a new look and made it electronic, and we are also starting to give more presentations out in the community. We have done a few presentations at the high schools as well. A big hit thus far has been the daily crime updates for residents. We try to update residents as quickly as possible on what is going on in the community. And we continue to add people more and more every day. If you would like to be added, just email crimeprevention@westerville.org with your name and address, and you will receive information about crime updates, alerts and police event information. What are simple things you tell people to do to reduce their risks of becoming a victim of crime? PL: Awareness is the key thing we want to relay to the citizens we talk to. www.westervillemagazine.com

It is important that people are aware of potential risks and also aware of information or resources they can use to protect themselves and their property. We are using crime reports, speaking engagements, risk assessments and information sharing initiatives to help in raising awareness. PT: Crime prevention is 24/7, but if you make it a habit, you tend to do things without even noticing, like locking your doors to your cars and home or taking your purse/wallet/phone when you get out of the car. Also, remember to talk to your neighbors; you know what’s normal for your street or apartment complex. More than likely, if something is not right, somebody else shares the same concern or uneasy feeling. My favorite tip is to be friendly. Believe it or not, being friendly can actually deter crime. Whenever I see a vehicle I don’t recognize driving through my neighborhood, I wave. Being a good person and saying hello and or waving lets someone know that I see you. You would be surprised how many people appreciate a wave and wave back. You will also be surprised at how many people get uncomfortable and leave.

Westerville residents who are customers of the Westerville Electric Division and Columbia Gas of Ohio will soon have a new tool to reduce energy consumption and save money on energy bills. For $50, eligible Westerville residents may apply for the In-Home Energy Program, a comprehensive home energy audit that identifies how much energy a home consumes and what steps may be taken to make the home more energy efficient. When the home energy audit is conducted, a certified professional uses an arsenal of instruments to locate air leaks, evaluate the performance of gas appliances and water heaters, and pinpoint problem spots in airflow and insulation. The audit is administered by Conservation Services Group, a national provider of residential energy efficiency programs with offices located in Westerville. “Here in Westerville, we constantly strive to keep energy costs as low as possible, which includes providing our customers with the means to implement energy-saving, cost-effective measures in their own homes,” said Westerville Electric Utility Manager Andrew Boatright. “An energy audit is an excellent way to learn about your home’s energy usage and is an important first step to take when identifying opportunities to reduce the cost of heating, cooling and lighting your home.” In addition to performing an energy audit, residents may also reduce energy consumption by adopting any number of easy-to-remember, energy-saving measures in their day-to-day routines, such as: • Turn off lights when not in use. • Turn off or unplug electrical equipment when not in use. • Keep showers to 10 minutes or less. • Change furnace and air conditioning filters every three months.

What do you like to do in your leisure time? PL: In my free time, I enjoy exercising, spending time with my girlfriend, playing video games, paintball and attending sporting events. I’m also working hard to improve my golf game and cooking, and I enjoy traveling whenever possible. PT: I enjoy cooking – I strive to make the world’s best macaroni and cheese. This summer I am into grilling out. I also enjoy traveling and hanging out with friends and family. I also enjoy just being outdoors.

Residents who apply for the In-Home Energy Program may also be eligible to receive CFL bulbs, LED night lights, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and a hot water pipe wrap for their home from the City of Westerville at no additional charge. Supplies are limited. Applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To schedule your energy audit today, please call 1-877-6446674. For more information about the program, please contact the Westerville Electric Division at 614-901-6700.

New Program to Help Residents Improve Energy Efficiency, Reduce Costs

www.westervillemagazine.com

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Number of hours spent by Westerville residents over the course of seven weeks in the spring class of the Westerville Citizen’s Academy learning about departments and functions. From the top of the Electric Division’s bucket truck to moving “snow” (sand) by plow, residents got a hands-on approach each week to City programs and services. Applications are now being accepted for the fall class. See full details online at www.westerville.org/wca.

Graduates from the spring class celebrate during their recognition at the May 7 Westerville City Council meeting.

News & Information from the City of Wester ville

Public Safety Profile

Combating Vandalism and Graffiti

By Lt. Tracey Myers, Community Services Bureau Vandalism and graffiti are common problems in all communities, and Westerville is no different. And our attractive and expansive parks and trail system is often a target. Unfortunately, as with most types of crime, damage to public property requires everyone to pay. While the City has efficient and effective ways to make repairs or remove graffiti, the process can be frustrating for staff, law enforcement, residents and businesses. The Westerville Division of Police has implemented programs to deter these crimes, many of which can help us identify suspects. One program in partnership with the Westerville Parks & Recreation Department, Path Watch, enrolls the eyes and ears of community volunteers to help us have a steady presence on the community trails. Path Watch volunteers are trained to assist us with recognizing issues along the 26 miles of bike and leisure paths and trails throughout the City. Through quick reporting, Path Watch volunteers have helped us acquire information and spot trends. While there is no base “profile” of someone who will vandalize or deface public property, law enforcement specialists know there are spikes around when school ends for the year and before school starts. This is an excellent time for parents to remind kids, particularly those in middle or high school, that these are crimes and will be prosecuted if and when an investigation leads to the identity of a suspect or suspects. The more help we have in the community, including with parents and guardians, the more we can together keep Westerville parks and trails in excellent condition. For more information or to get involved in Path Watch, please visit www. westerville.org/parks. 12

Fitting Fitness In By Mike Herron, Fitness Manager, Westerville Parks & Recreation When people start to contemplate their entry into health and fitness, one of the many questions asked of fitness professionals is, “How much exercise should I get?” An open-ended question like this is similar to asking a sommelier (wine expert), “What is the best wine to go with this meal?” The responses can vary based on your age, health and fitness level, but it can be pared down to this: A person will need at least 150 minutes of exercise per week to stay healthy. Simpler yet, 30 minutes a day at least five days a week, and even those 30 minutes each day can be split up. It is best to not only spread your activity out during the week, but to break it up into smaller chunks of time during the day. Try for a minimum of at least 10 minutes at a time. This recommendation is supported by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association because studies directly link physical activity to improved health and wellness. The recommendation to accumulate 150 minutes per week provides a good starting point for those looking to become active without becoming quickly overwhelmed. Considering the flexibility of accumulating those minutes within a week, there are several strategies an individual can implement to fit it in. It should be noted, though, that individuals looking to experience weight loss may need to be more active than 150 minutes per week, along with modifying their dietary habits. While busy work schedules, family obligations and packed weekends can make life hectic, experts recommend practical tips when it comes to fitting in 150 minutes per week. • Do it in short bouts. Moderate-intensity physical activity can be accumulated throughout the day in 10-minute bouts, which can be just as effective as exercising for 30 minutes continuously. • Mix it up. Combinations of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity can be used to meet the guidelines. For example, you can walk briskly for 30 minutes twice per week and jog at a higher intensity on two other days. • Set your schedule. Maybe it’s easier for you to walk during your lunch hour, or perhaps hitting the pavement right after dinner is best for you. Setting aside specific days and times for exercise that work best in your schedule can be helpful. • Gym or no gym. It doesn’t take an expensive gym membership to get the daily recommended amount of physical activity. A pair of athletic shoes and a little motivation are all you need to live a more active, healthier life. Just start a walking routine and you’ll see a spike in your energy levels after awhile. • Practice. During your child’s sports practice, walk around the field or leisure paths. • Hunt for farthest parking spot. Deliberately park farther away from office or store and walk farther. It may not seem like much, but those minutes will add up over time. • Reward! Set a short-term goal and reward yourself with a health- or fitness-related incentive (workout clothes or watch, etc). In order to stay motivated, select an event (such as a local 5K) that will keep you on track. • Make it a family affair. Take your spouse, your children or a friend with you to add some fun exercise ideas to your routine. Studies show that “exercise buddies” (even walking your dog regularly) help people remain active. This is also a good way to encourage your kids to be physically active and get them committed early to a lifetime of health.

www.westervillemagazine.com

Your community is calling you to service. Consider bringing your talents and experience to public service through an appointment on a Westerville Board or Commission. Effective Dec. 31, 2013, these vacancies and terms are available. Name of Board or Commission

Activities and Responsibilities

Number of Vacancies

Term (Years)

Planning Commission

Holds public hearings on land 1 use items, such as subdivision plans and rezoning requests. Meets the fourth Wednesday of each month in City Council Chambers.

Board of Zoning Appeals

Hears and decides appeals from any order or decision made by a City administrative officer in enforcing the zoning ordinance. May authorize zoning variances, provided they do not conflict with the public interest. Meets the second Thursday of each month in City Council Chambers.

Recreation Advisory Board

Studies and recommends recreational programs, needs and facilities. Meets the third Thursday of each month at the Westerville Community Center.

Uptown Review Board

Protects and promotes the historic character of the Uptown District and oversees Uptown construction and renovation projects. Meets the first Thursday of each month in City Council Chambers.

Personnel Review Board

Hears appeals on disciplinary matters involving Westerville City municipal and school employees. Meets as needed.

Income Tax Review Board

Hears appeals on City of 2 (Plus 1 Westerville income tax matters. alternate) Meets as needed.

Shade Tree Commission

Reviews landscaping plans and promotes the planting and care of City trees. Meets the second Wednesday of each month at the Westerville Community Center.

Westerville Visitors and Convention Bureau

Assists in marketing the City’s attractions, organizing tours and coordinating special events and attractions to encourage tourism, particularly to the Uptown area. Meets the second Wednesday of each month at Java Central in Uptown Westerville.

Board and Commission members evaluate these special issues and make recommendations to Westerville City Council. To meet the qualifications, an individual must be a Westerville resident (residing within the corporate limits of the City of Westerville) for six months, a registered voter and not a public office holder or other current Board/Commission member. Applications are due by Friday, Oct. 18, and are available by calling Mary Johnston, MMC, Clerk of Council at 614-901-6410 or via email at mary.johnston@westerville.org. Information and applications are also available online at www.westerville.org. www.westervillemagazine.com

Mark Your Calendars National Night Out Tuesday, Aug. 6 6:30-9:30 p.m. The Westerville Division of Police will host and participate in several neighborhood events for the 2013 National Night Out, known as “America’s Night Out Against Crime.” The national event brings local public safety agencies and communities together for the evening to heighten awareness about and participation in crime prevention. The event is also targeted at sending a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and ready to combat crime. For more information, please visit www.westerville.org/police. Annual Maintenance, Westerville Community Center Monday, Aug. 19Saturday, Aug. 31 Open to close Each year, the Community Center is closed for a two-week period for maintenance and repairs. This maintenance program affects the Watering Hole, which is drained and cleaned. The south end of the building, including Teen Scene, Sprouts Room and activity rooms, will be closed for painting and repairs. The indoor playground and climbing wall will also be closed. The fitness area and gymnasium will be closed only Tuesday. Passholders may use Highlands Park Aquatic Center during this time. For more information or questions about planning your activities in advance, please contact Westerville Parks & Recreation at 614901-6500. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Saturday, Sept. 7 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 350 Park Meadow Rd. (Enter from Schrock Road)

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Boards and Commissions

News & Information from the City of Wester ville

Civic Organizations By David Allen

Afternoon Assistance

Noon Rotary supports high schoolers, veterans and more “Service Above Self” is more than just the motto of Rotary International – it’s also three words that Bill McLoughlin takes very seriously with regard to the service organization he oversees. McLoughlin is president of the noon Rotary Club of Westerville. As an affiliate of Rotary International, the world’s oldest service club, its main aims are peace and health initiatives

The noon Rotary, which has been around since 1959, has made huge charitable waves since its inception. Last year, the club “gave a dictionary to every third-grade student in the Westerville public schools within a two-day delivery period,” says McLoughlin. In addition to dictionaries, the club also handed out scholarships to local high school students. The noon Rotary gave out

1,250 dictionaries last year and has given over $300,000 in scholarships throughout its history. Its signature fundraising event, the Independence Day celebration, hosts around 50,000 participants yearly. It begins at 8 a.m. and ends after 10 p.m. on July 4, all taking place in and around Alum Creek Park. “We have a road race, a parade and fireworks, which all culminate together in

Westerville Community Contacts

All area codes are 614 unless otherwise noted.

FIRE/MEDICAL/POLICE EMERGENCY . . . . 9-1-1 Gas/Carbon Monoxide Leaks. . . . . . . . . 9-1-1 Mental Health Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1-1 Fire, non-life threatening emergency. . 882-2213 Police, non-life threatening emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-7444 City Website. . . . . . . . . . . www.westerville.org Community Affairs ... . . . . . . . . . . ... 901-6411 Animal Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6863 Animal Removal (dead at roadside). . . 901-6740 Cemeteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 City Manager’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6400 TDD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6413 Clerk of Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6410 Digging (Ohio Utilities Protection Service) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-362-2764 Economic Development. . . . . . . . . . . 901-6403 Electric Division. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Electrical Outages. . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Street Lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6700 Tree Trimming Near Electric Lines. . . 901-6700 Finance Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6440 Fire Division Headquarters. . . . . . . . 901-6600 CPR/First Aid Training. . . . . . . . . . 901-6600 Human Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6406 Income Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6420 Leaf Collection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Mayor’s Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6419 TDD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6418 Parks & Recreation Department. . . . . 901-6500 Inclement Weather Hotline. . . . . . . 901-6888 Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6530 Community Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6500 Everal Barn & Homestead . . . . . . . 901-6570

Parks Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . Highlands Park Aquatic Center. . . . Recreation Program Center. . . . . . . Senior Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shelter Information . . . . . . . . . . . . Urban Forestry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Permits Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Burning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parade/Block Party. . . . . . . . . . . . Security Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zoning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Planning & Development Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Planning, Engineering & Zoning . . . Traffic Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . Zoning Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . Police Division Headquarters. . . . . . . Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Detectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recorded Information Line. . . . . . . . Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Service Department. . . . . . . . . . . . . Sewer Emergencies. . . . . . . . . . . . Sewer Line Maintenance . . . . . . . . Stormwater Hotline. . . . . . . . . . . . Street Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . Street Maintenance Repairs . . . . . .

901-6591 901-7665 901-6531 901-6560 901-6515 901-6598 901-6650 901-6600 901-6410 901-6482 901-6650. 901-6650 901-6650 901-6670 901-6660 901-6450 901-6470 901-6475 901-6482 901-6879 901-6450 901-6740 901-6740 901-6740 901-6740 901-6740 901-6740

Trash/Recycling Collection. . . . . . . 901-6740 Water Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Water Line Maintenance . . . . . . . . 901-6740 Traffic Violations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6419 Tree/Storm Damage (in right of way) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6591 After hours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6790 Tree Trimming (in right of way). . . . . . . 901-6598 Utility Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6430 Water Plant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901-6770 Other Community Service Contacts Airport—Port Columbus. . . . . . . . . . . 239-4083 Concord Counseling Services. . . . . . . 882-9338 COTA Bus Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228-1776 Delaware County General Information . . . . . . . 740-548-7313 Franklin County Board of Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3160 Property Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3696 Voter Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525-3100 Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital. . . . . 898-4000 Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-8917 Westerville Area Resource Ministry . . . 899-0196 Westerville City Schools . . . . . . . . . . 797-5700 Westerville Historical Society . . . . . . . 891-0821 Westerville Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882-7277 Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 794-0401

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

www.wester ville.org

Ci t y M a n a g e r Dave Collinsworth

We st e r v i l l e Ci t y Co u n cil

(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

CHURCH ON SATURDAY? ABSOLUTELY. our celebration for independence,” says McLoughlin. Among the club’s other fundraisers are the Phil Brown Holiday Basketball Tournament, a members-only golf league, an annual fish fry, a nighttime golf outing and the Rotary Honors Veterans 5K Walk/Run, a Veterans Day event McLoughlin says “has taken quite a bit of importance recently.” Membership is easy, free and, most importantly, “non-denominational,” says McLoughlin – it has no “religious or political preference” within its members’ activities. David Allen is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

A parade and a children’s road run are part of the Westerville Independence Day celebration, organized by the Rotary Club of Westerville.

Rotary Club of Westerville Meetings: Noon Thursdays Location: Villa Milano Banquet & Conference Center, 1630 Schrock Rd., Columbus Website: www.westervillerotary.org

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faces

By Duane St. Clair

Photography by Wes Kroninger

Breaking the Curse Longtime North teacher hopes to snap the Warriors’ losing streak

edication, hard work and optimism will be evident in the Westerville North High School varsity football team’s maroon and gold uniforms this fall. The Warriors and their fans alike hope it will mean the end of the football team’s unfortunate record. The team hasn’t had a winning season since 2004 and hasn’t had a single victory in the last four years, posting 48 consecutive losses. Rodger Elander – who spent 17 years as an assistant football coach at North, a post he lost in a head coaching change that left him on the sidelines – is going into his second season as head coach, the first he has been in charge a full school year. He’s optimistic, even subtly enthusiastic, as

he discusses what has changed and how there’s light at the end of the tunnel. “I think we have some kids who can win some games this year,” says Elander. When the head coaching job came open after the 2011 season, Elander was approached, and he told Athletic Director Vicki Saunders, “I’d think about it.” He didn’t think about it for long. The longtime Westerville resident and teacher – he’s taught math at North since 1992 – took over coaching duties in April 2012, tasked with turning around a foundering program. It was the achievement of a longrunning goal for Elander. Since his days at Denison University, where he played

Westerville North High School football coach Rodger Elander along with players (left to right) Eric Hagedorn, Andy Struttman and Dominic Marzullo

defensive tackle, serving as a head football coach was one of Elander’s ambitions, and he’s worked in various assistant coaching positions for his entire teaching career. Elander’s first teaching gig was at Brookhaven High School in Columbus; he met Casie, now his wife, shortly after he came to North. She was an assistant athletic trainer when he started teaching. She’s now a health teacher in Grove City, and she works with OhioHealth on programs related to student athletes. He is gradually changing things at North, which was frequently a powerhouse in the Ohio Capital Conference – the team is in the Cardinal Division – before things took a turn for the worse. Attitude may be at the top of the list. “Last year, we made sure the kids worked hard and had fun,” Elander says. “My goal is to reinvigorate the program. I remember when the program was successful. … These kids have never seen it.” He found the team’s off-season training wasn’t organized, and he took charge too late to do much last year. Now there’s continual team building, with scheduled conditioning in the off-season. The team reviews game films, which he calls “Football 101.” The intent is to keep the team 16

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thinking football during the off-season, so the players would be better prepared when practices started up again. This May, many team members took part in the first-ever “lift-a-thon,” a fundraiser in which donations were tied to the amount of weight each player lifted on a Saturday in the gym. When the players collect all their sponsors pledged – “I suggested a penny a pound,” Elander says – he thinks the effort will have raised a few thousand dollars. Team building includes players getting acquainted. Elander will have about 55 players this fall. His mantra: “Get to be teammates. Get to know each other.” During summer camp, he occasionally designates an older player to step forward and describe the work of a newer, younger player. Elander’s attitude isn’t lost on the players. Three polished, dedicated 17-year-olds who will be seniors talk candidly about playing on a no-win team for their entire high school careers – so far. Andy Struttman, a running back and safety and team co-captain last year, has been discouraged by the team’s losses, but he sees victories on the horizon this year. “It sucks to see a lot of guys get out (of football) after their freshman year,” Struttman says, but he hopes to see fortunes change in 2013. Erik Hagedorn – starting safety and a running back, playing his third year – is similarly optimistic and willing to continue to work hard for a thus-far winless team. “I love our team. I have a special bond with every one of my teammates,” Hagedorn says. The team has “a lot of harder workers than we had last year,” he adds. “People want to get better. People want to win.” Dominic Marzullo, a fullback and nose guard, smaller but well-sculpted like Struttman and Hagedorn, feels the same about the upcoming season. “The dedication (to conditioning) is a lot better, but I hope a lot more people will become dedicated,” says Marzullo. The Warriors’ season begins Aug. 23, when the team takes on the Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets. The first home game, on Aug. 30, will pit the Warriors against the Franklin Heights Falcons, coached by former Warriors coach Mike Owens.

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Duane St. Clair is a contributing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. Check out the season schedules for all three of Westerville’s high school varsity football teams at www.westervillemagazine.com. www.westervillemagazine.com

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in focus

By Garth Bishop

The Plot Thickens Learning opportunities abound in Otterbein’s community garden As it’s part of an educational institution, it’s only fitting that the community garden at Otterbein University is more than just a place for growing produce – it’s also a place for growing minds. The garden, located on Spring Road, is used for a variety of educational purposes, including programs and classes in Westerville City Schools. This is the fourth year the garden has been in place. Various community partners have plots in the three-quarter-acre garden, which is operated by an advisory council under Otterbein’s Center for Community Engagement. The partners include neighborhood associations, veterans’ groups, immigrant communities,

senior living communities and Girl Scout troops, in addition to the schools. The school district was the only organization to use the garden in 2010, its first year. Melissa Gilbert, director of the Center for Community Engagement, sees students engaging in a variety of learning activities, from standard planting and composting to scientific experiments and mineral lessons.

The Otterbein University community garden in full bloom in 2012

“The kids … are doing all kinds of educational (activities), from soil sampling to understanding different kinds of plants to looking at food insecurity,” Gilbert says. One of the biggest school programs is Service Oriented Integrated Learning (SOIL), an activity for middle school students coordinated by Heritage Middle School math and science teacher Marty Wicks and Genoa Middle School math teacher Liz Stimer. Wicks handles morning students; Stimer handles afternoon students. Students have planned the garden’s area and perimeter, determined how deep to plant various seeds, ascertained the necessary distance between plants, researched climate zones and growing conditions, compared components of soil and dirt, tested soil, related items to the periodic table, learned to handle water runoff, followed vines to find the bases of plants, and written in journals about their experiences. One addition this year is an outdoor camera set up for time-lapse photography that will put the entire summer’s growing into a short video. Students have grown corn, watermelons, honeydew melons, pumpkins, butternut squash, hot peppers, bell peppers, radishes, carrots, sweet potatoes, cabbage, 18

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herbs and all manner of tomatoes. All produce from SOIL goes to the Westerville Area Resource Ministry. Stimer has also organized students into “families” during the school year and challenged them to balance household budgets, teaching them about the importance of institutions like W.A.R.M. that provide assistance for families in financial trouble. “Service learning is not just about saying to a kid, ‘Hey, you’re going to go put in three hours at the garden today,” says Stimer. “It has to be something that they care about.” Outside of SOIL, there are many ways for curriculum to incorporate the garden space. For instance, Stimer will use the garden to supplement instruction in her math classes – figuring percentages related to garden space, converting units of measurement, drawing up scale models, graphing plants’ rates of growth. Other teachers have had students use items from the garden for art projects, conduct a mock archeological dig there and plant mums for Mother’s Day.

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We Love What We Do RESTORING it for You! Some of the Westerville City Schools students who have worked in the garden

In addition to garden space, the university often lends instructors – faculty members and Otterbein students will teach Westerville students about food insecurity, water usage, earth sciences, plant identification and more. The garden is also incorporated into a number of Otterbein’s youth summer camps. Much of the garden’s produce goes to food pantries. In order to obtain a free, 20-by-20-foot plot, a group must pledge a portion of its produce to a food pantry in the Westerville area. Many choose W.A.R.M., which provides lists of items its clients need and use. Garth Bishop is editor of Westerville Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.westervillemagazine.com

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Shutterbugs

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living

By Garth Bishop

Hoof it Through His Walking tour highlights the elements that help make Westerville what it is today

his summer, 12 historic buildings with major significance to Westerville’s past will help make a better future for the less fortunate. The first-ever Tapestry of a Town tour is scheduled for 1-5 p.m. July 28. It is being organized by the Westerville Habitat Partnership with help from the Westerville Historical Society and Beth Weinhardt of the Westerville Public Library’s Local History Center. Tickets are $10 and are available at all stops and at the Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau, 20 W. Main St. Proceeds go to the partnership for its work in helping the needy.

The tour is self-guided, but each stop will have hosts who can describe the site’s role in Westerville’s history. “There will be information provided at each location by someone who is knowledgeable about it,” says Kay Hedges of the partnership. The idea for the tour grew out of the progressive Christmas concert the partnership has put on since 2011. The concerts take place in several churches, and many attendees remarked that, despite having long lived in Westerville, they had never been to some of the churches. That prompted partnership members to wonder what other historic

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sites Westerville residents are missing. “I think that’s the case with a lot of people,” says partnership facilitator John Cameron. “We live here, we take it for granted. We walk by something and say, ‘I wonder what that’s like,’ but there’s never been an opportunity to see those places.” The name comes from the notion that there are many “threads” – not just historical elements, such as the Underground Railroad and the Anti-Saloon League, but also education, faith, recreation and business – that form the tapestry of Westerville. “We’re trying to weave together all of those things that are Westerville,” says Hedges. Some sites on the tour are still, to some extent, being used for the purposes for which they were built. Emerson Magnet School, formerly the Vine Street School, built 1896, is one such example. Hanby Magnet School, formerly Westerville High School, built 1923, is another. “I’ve driven by Emerson school my whole life, (but) I’ve never been inside it,” says Cameron. Others – such as the Holmes Hotel, built 1889 – have evolved significantly. Born as a 30-room hotel, it currently houses Aumiller Gun Shop, David Myers Art Studio, Heavenly Cup, Uptown Pharmacy and Abbey Rose Boutique, among other businesses. It has even had residential uses in the past; relatives of www.westervillemagazine.com

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The Holmes Hotel building in 1908 (left) and today

www.drbez.com Hedges once lived in the turret that overlooks Main Street. “It was a very modern hotel when it was built,” Hedges says. The home of the Old Bag of Nails is another historic site. Built in the early 1880s, it initially had an opera house on the third floor, and it has since held a Ben Franklin store and Calico Cupboard. Other stops on the tour are the AntiSaloon League Museum, Cellar Lumber, Corbin’s Saloon, the Hanby House, Java Central, the Bike Depot, the Otterbein Mausoleum and Otterbein’s Towers Hall. Organizers hope to bring in musicians and artists for some of the stops, tying it into the Year of the Arts in Westerville. The Westerville Habitat Partnership is an alliance of five local churches – First Presbyterian Church of Westerville, Central College Presbyterian Church, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Church of the Messiah United Methodist and Church of the Master United Methodist – as well as the Columbus Academy. Its collective mission is to support Habitat for Humanity, which builds houses for those in need, and to recruit volunteers and work with those needy families.

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

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27 6/10/13 8:15 AM

on the table By Garth Bishop

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hile old standards drew crowds at this year’s Taste of Westerville, it was a rookie that dazzled attendees with its sizable variety of sweet treats. Gigi’s Cupcakes, which just opened in December on Polaris Parkway, took home the award for Best Presentation for its meticulously arranged display of 12 signature cupcake varieties. “The one that kept (attendees) coming back was Blueberry Lavender,” says Gigi’s manager Stacy Schwarz. Polaris Grill’s Louisiana Gulf shrimp with grit cakes took home the People’s Choice award and the Westerville’s Tastiest award. The restaurant, also on Polaris Parkway, was featured in last year’s Taste of Westerville story in Westerville Magazine, having claimed the People’s Choice award – a tie with Bel Lago – in 2012. The Taste of Westerville, organized by the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce, took place April 19 at the Lakes Golf and Country Club. The Polaris location is the first in central Ohio for Gigi’s, which is based in Nashville. It’s not the only place in central Ohio to offer the company’s cupcakes, though; its food truck makes appearances at such

events as Red, White & Boom! and the Equine Affaire. Ron Freeman – who owns the local Gigi’s franchise with his wife, Dawn – mentions all-natural ingredients and products being baked fresh every morning as some of the store’s hallmarks, but the first thing many people notice is the frosting; it’s piled very high on each cupcake. “It’s a signature,” Freeman says. “You have to stand out among the other places.” Gigi’s has a different menu for each day of the week, and the daily menus rotate by season. The exception is the Sunday menu, a custom job that is different every week and carries a theme. Among customers’ favorites, Freeman says, are Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Wedding Cake, Peanut Butter Cup and Kentucky Bourbon. In all, there are about 80 flavors available, running from Chocolate Salted Caramel and Sopapilla to Mojito and Hunka Chunka Banana Love. The Westerville area is just a start for Gigi’s in Columbus; an Easton location was slated to open last month, and Hilliard and Pickerington locations are also on the horizon, Freeman says. Gigi’s was not the only newcomer at this year’s Taste of Westerville. Chef Honda, a www.westervillemagazine.com

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Japanese restaurant on Polaris Parkway, was also on hand, having just opened in February. Organic food supermarket Earth Fare, located on Gemini Place, was another first-timer. Other local businesses in attendance were Bel Lago, Cheryl & Co., Chocolaterie Stam, City Barbeque, Cold Stone Creamery, Friendship Village, Giammarco’s Pizza & Pasta, Jason’s Deli, MCL Restaurant & Bakery, Mitchell’s Steakhouse, Nicole’s Catering, the Old Bag of Nails, Sandman Gourmet Deli & Catering, Skyline Chili and the Lakes Golf & Country Club. Garth Bishop is editor of Westerville Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.westervillemagazine.com

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Future-Focused Festival Organizers ramp up the kids’ activities at 40th annual arts fest By Hayley Ross

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hen Westerville’s annual arts festival comes around for the 40th time, it will do so with an eye to the future – and to the people its organizers hope will be attending 40 years from now. The Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce Music & Arts Festival will take place July 13 and 14. It opens at 11 a.m. each day, and closes at 8 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday. This year’s festival promises plenty of appeal for the youth of Westerville. The festival was born in 1974 as a small street fair with only about 50 local artists. This year, close to 140 fine arts and craftspeople will set up tents and exhibits at Heritage Park and Everal Barn. “We are looking to bring in more fun and interactive features to the festival to kick off the 40th anniversary,” says Erin Glaser, marketing and communications manager for the Chamber. One of those features is an extensive interactive youth tent where children can participate in arts and crafts with guest artists and speakers. “We have had the youth tent in the past, but this year, it will be bigger and better,” says Glaser. Will Hillenbrand, author and illustrator of popular children’s book Louie!, will lead hands-on children’s activities and a book reading. Some of his illustrations will also be available for purchase during the festival. Other youth tent programs include “Creative Fun with Recyclables” with Eric Marlow, “Interactive Storytelling” with Candace Mazur-Darman, “Fun with Fiber” with Gail Larned and a magic show with Nate LeGros. The festival also includes a youth exhibit, allowing aspiring artists ages 3-18 to show off their work through an art show and small children’s theater performances. Other family-friendly attractions include a performance by the Westerville Symphony and interactive strolling performers such as stilt walkers. Beyond the offerings for children, other festival highlights include the Westerville Walkway, an area reserved for new and emerging artists; the Heritage area, where crafters not only sell their creations but also dress in period costumes; and a civic service corner reserved for nonprofit organizations. Musical performances – genres include R&B, country, big band jazz, solo guitar, bluegrass and classical – on the festival’s main stage and the stage at Everal Barn are part of the fun as well. The festival is always a big part of Westerville’s yearly calendar, but this year, it’s even more of a focal point – 2013 is the Year of the Arts in Westerville, with a wide variety of arts-centered activities throughout the year, and the festival is the big one. “We are providing different activities and opportunities for people to jump in and experience the arts,” says Phyllis Self, recreation superintendent for the city of Westerville. Hayley Ross is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com. www.westervillemagazine.com

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